Modern Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings
Modern Garden Decor: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to provide drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Used until the nineteenth 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 gravity. Serving as an element of adornment and celebration, fountains also supplied clean, fresh drinking water. Bronze or stone masks of wildlife and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by including beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational activities.
Backyard Elegance: Garden Fountains
Backyard Elegance: Garden Fountains Since garden water fountains are no longer hooked on a nearby pond, it is possible to install them close to a wall. Nowadays, you can do away with excavations, difficult installations and cleaning the pond. Due to its self-contained nature, this feature no longer needs plumbing work. Adding water on a regular } basis is necessary, however. Drain the water from the basin and put in clean water whenever the surrounding area is dirty.Any number of materials can be utilized to build garden wall fountains, but stone and metal are the most frequently used. Identifying the style you want indicates the best material to use. It is important to purchase hand-crafted, light garden wall fountains which are also easy to set up. The fountain you purchase needs to be easy to maintain as well. While there may be some instances 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.
Little exertion is needed to liven up your garden with these kinds of water features.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Garden Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Garden Fountains
To ensure that water fountains last a long time, it is vital to perform regular maintenance. It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into open-air fountains, so keeping it clean is important. On top of that, algae can be a concern, as sun hitting the water allows it to form quickly. Stir hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular problem. Another option is to mix bleach into the water, but this action can sicken wild animals and so should really be avoided. An extensive cleaning every three-four months is ideal for garden fountains. To start with you must remove the water. Then use a soft cloth and mild cleanser to scrub the inside. If there is intricate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Any soap residue remaining on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
Some organisms and calcium deposits may get inside the pump, so it is advised to take it apart and clean it thoroughly. To make it less strenuous, soak it in vinegar for a while before cleaning. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain ingredients that will accumulate inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
And finally, make sure the water level is always full in order to keep your fountain running optimally. Allowing the water to reach below the pump’s intake level, can cause major damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!