Winter weather can take a toll on your home's outdoor living spaces, including any water features in your yard. During the coldest months, outdoor fountains can freeze and crack, causing leaks and other damage. While small fountains can be stored inside somewhere during the winter months, heavier fountains need to stay outside all season and require some extra care and protection. Take these steps to protect your outdoor water features and avoid damage during the lower temperatures. 

How to Protect Outdoor Fountains During Winter

1. Drain the Fountain

If any moisture lingers in your outdoor fountain, cold winter temperatures can cause it to freeze and expand, potentially damaging the interior pipes. Instead, be sure to drain the fountain and the pipes to remove any water before the temperatures dip too low. You should also put antifreeze into the empty pipes to ensure that any excess water that collects in the pipes can't freeze and damage the structure. 

2. Clean the Fountain

Over time, outdoor fountains often accumulate calcium and lime, or white scale. Unfortunately, winter conditions can further exacerbate this grime and cause longer-lasting damage to the surface of your fountain. As such, it's best to thoroughly clean the entire structure before and during the winter to minimize buildup. You can first use a leaf blower to get rid of any loose debris and leaves. Then, use a soft bristle brush with warm water and dish soap to scrub the entire fountain, including the interior pump. Let the mixture sit on any lingering stains for a few minutes before scrubbing them away. 

3. Protect It

Wintry conditions like snow, ice, and hail can all wear down an outdoor fountain, potentially leading to chips, cracks, and other damage. To preserve your fountain in these conditions, you can place a tarp covering over it. Not only will the cover protect the fountain from rain, snow, and other moisture, but it will also provide a bit of extra insulation that can help the feature stay at a more consistent temperature. 

Keep your outdoor fountains and other water features in excellent condition this winter with the help of the professionals at Great Lakes Landscaping in Chesterfield, MI. They provide care and installation of fountains, outdoor kitchens, paver patios, and other outdoor features for local residents. During the winter months, they also remove snow from driveways and lay down salt on walkways. Call (586) 754-7336 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online to learn more about their landscaping and snow removal services.