Modern Garden Decoration: Fountains and their Beginnings

From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.

Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.

Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.

Your Outdoor Fountain: Maintenance & Routine Service

Everything you will need to correctly install your outdoor wall fountain is normally provided in easy-to-use kits. A submersible pump, hoses and basin, or reservoir, are provided in the kit. The basin, if it's not too big, can easily be concealedin your garden among the plants. Since outdoor wall fountains require little care, the only thing left to do is clean it consistently.

Replenishing and purifying the water on a consistent basis is very important. Remember to remove debris like leaves, twigs or dirt as quickly as possible. Extremely cold temperatures can damage your outdoor wall fountain so be sure to protect it during winer. If left outdoors, your pump could split as a result of icy water, so bring it inside during the winter. Simply put, your outdoor fountain will be around for many years with the correct care and maintenance.

Environmentally Friendly Outdoor Garden Fountains

Your monthly electric bill will most likely go up with running water fountains. The short-term perks may not be noticeable, but keep in mind that the increased value of your home will be later on.

The increased prices resulting from using more electricity is not the only factor, it also damages our eco-system. The only source of energy used by solar powered water features is the sun making them a “green” alternative. Using solar power to run a water feature is not only favorable to our environment but it also heats and cools our homes.

Less maintenance is a benefit of adding this kind of fountain. Clogs don't occur since there is no motor - which leads to less cleaning. And since there is little cleaning to do, you will have more time to play!

Landscape Elegance: Garden Water fountains

Any number of materials can be utilized to make garden wall features, but stone and metal are the most convenient. Identifying the style you wish for indicates the right material to use. It is important to purchase hand-crafted, lightweight garden wall features which are also easy to set up. The fountain you buy needs to be simple to maintain as well. While there may be some cases in which the setup needs a bit more care, generally the majority require a minimal amount of effort to install since the only two parts which demand scrutiny are the re-circulating pump and the hanging parts. It is very simple to liven up your yard with these kinds of fountains.

The Myriad Styles of Water Wall Fountains

There are two specific styles of fountains you can buy: mounted and free-standing. Small, self-contained models can be hung on a wall are known as mounted wall fountains. Fountains of this type need to be lightweight, therefore, they are usually made of resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass. In large stand-alone fountains, otherwise referred to as wall fountains, the basin is situated on the ground with the smooth side positioned against a wall. Water features such as these are ordinarily made of cast stone and have no weight limitations.

Custom-built fountains which can be integrated into a new or existing wall are often prescribed by landscaping designers. A professional mason is necessary to place the water basin against the wall and properly install all the plumbing inside or behind the wall. You will need to incorporate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. If you want a cohesive look for your garden, get a customized wall fountain because it becomes part of the scenery rather than a later addition.

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