How to keep the water clean

Once your garden fountain is up and running the majority of maintenance is keeping the water clean and making sure the pump is not clogged with debris. Different water and environmental conditions will affect the water quality. Generally, the water stays clear when it is fresh and cold (a shady location for the fountain can be helpful). Especially during the summer months you will need to refill your fountain often, as the water evaporates. So, instead of refilling the basin every day, empty it once a week, brush the trough with a stiff brush, rinse and refill it with cold water. Keeping the fountain water clean and clear may take a little practice and adjustment. In general we do not use any water purifiers or cleansing products in consideration for the wildlife (birds, bees, squirrels etc.)

Winter care

During winter months, before the temperature hits freezing, drain your water fountain. Unplug the pump and store it indoors. Make sure that no water is left in your fountain and check during the winter months that no leaves clogg the drain. When water freezes it can expand and contract, causing the fountain to crack. 

Cleaning of the pump

The secret to keeping your fountain in perfect working condition is in the pump. 

A few minutes of pump maintenance on a regular basis will keep your fountain running smoothly and beautifully for a long time. If the water flow of your fountain decreases, shut the fountain off, clean the filter inside the trough or in the water reservoir and remove the pump for inspection. It’s possible that the pump got clogged with debris ot that the impeller needs decalcification. Please note that the rubber parts (on the stainless steel shaft) should not get in touch with the cleansing solution. 

What to do if the fountain leaks

Not all « leaky » fountains are actually leaking. Especially in spring, after the winter period when the fountain has been without water, the stone absorbs large quantities of water. As soon as the stone is saturated the leaking usually stops. When the circular pump is in function water can also be lost by splashing over the sides of the basin or water evaporates or is blown over by the wind. 

Also control the drain. If sand or debris is stuck between the cone and the outlet, the drain is not going to be impervious. Clean both the cone and the outlet and push it firmly together. The stand pipe should not move. If it does, contact us.

If you observe a crack, we can repair it with the adequate stone repair material or we use sealing oil for invisible cracks. Please contact us if you need advice or help.

We recommend that the pump is inspected and cleaned thoroughly at least twice a year : in the summer and in November when removing the pump for the winter.

During the winter, the pump should be stored indoors.
There are various products available to help remove built up mineral deposits, such as calcium. A mixture of vinegar and water will also work for this purpose but it takes longer to disolve the white scale than with a chemical product like Durgol. When all the parts are clean, the rotor and impeller should turn easily around the steel shaft. Please note that the rubber parts (O-Ring and rubbers on the steel shaft) should not get in touch with the cleansing solution.
The following pictures will show you how to open the cover of the pump and to remove the impeller so that you can clean the built up mineral deposits (such as calcium).
If any parts of your pump go missing or need replacement we can supply you with the necessary spare parts.

Pump Syncra Silent 1.5

Syncra 1st step pull the cover from the pump

Syncra 2nd step remove the mounting ring

Syncra 3rd step pull the hose connector

Syncra 4th step pull the impeller

Syncra 5th step all spare parts are visible

Syncra 6th step remove the rubbers from the steel shaft, clean the steel shaft and rotor in cleansing solution

Syncra Silent 1.5

If you want us to make a complete fountain service we are at your disposal.

A maintenance service includes:

Cleaning of the fountain and the water pipes, cleaning the circular pump, checking the trough of cracks and erosions and repair them, level out the through, if necessary.

When planning to install a beautiful garden fountain, think about the purpose of your fountain. Shall it be practical for cleaning your tools and watering your plants or shall it be a decorative element?

Will the fountain be nestled snugly amid flowering bushes or will it complement a walkway?

Will it be a wall fountain or the central piece of your garden patio?

Once the location and the usage have been determined, we can define the size and the look of your fountain. Lisbeth Felber will be more than happy to draw a proposal and once the size, the material and the colour of your personal fountain are confirmed, our stone masons will start manufacturing it.

For important wrought iron projects, Lisbeth often visits the clients’ homes to see the architectual style of house and garden and to get a feeling of the atmosphere in order to be able to draw a product which harmoniously suits the environment.

Once you have confirmed the design and chosen your favourite stone (granite, travertine, limestone) and its colour, our stone mason will start producing the fountain.

We feel very honoured and proud to produce wrought iron products for the most spectacular garden of Switzerland : the sumptous garden of the Castle of Vullierens which is famous for its incredible iris collections. We planned, manufactured, delivered and installed several gates and a very picturesque arch tunnel in « Doreens Garden » which is one of the main attractions of the site.

For the theme garden « Enchanted Woodlands », we produced a garden arch which formed the willow trees, which were planted 2 years ago, into the right shape. A round gazebo which is also covered with willow-branches marks the centre of the 18m long archway.  A round «window» in the rooftop of the gazebo allows the only light intrusion into this incredible walkway. The owner of the castle named this structure “The Cathedral”.

We claim that no other company in Switzerland has installed as many fountains as we did: Approximately 5000 fountains have been installed by our team since the company was founded in 1993. Each fountain installation is unique! Each garden is unique! We are very passionate about our work and are proud to have embellished so many wonderful gardens.

The foundation for the fountain as well as power and water supply have to be prepared by a local gardener or the clients themselves prior to our arrival. We provide detailed information and plans to the gardener, landscape architect or client and once everything is prepared we bring and install the fountain.

For the transport of our products we mainly use our truck Scania P270, 18 t, and with the help of the crane of 16 m length (400 kg weight at 16 m) we can lift most of the fountains directly to the right place. If this is not possible,  we use other means and man-/womanpower to move the fountain to ist final destination. For smaller products we use our delivery van with lifting ramp.

The delivery cost is Fr. 3.–/km or less if we can combine the transport with other deliveries. The installation is calculated on an hourly rate. In most cases we can submit a quote at the time of the purchase. If it is not possible to estimate the time and effort, we visit the client’s garden in order to be able to confirm a package price.

Some of the very large fountains cannot be built in one piece and are made in elements. A reinforced concrete foundation is needed to install the fountain on top of it. We coordinate the preparation of the foundation with the gardener or landscape architect, the plumber and the electrician and once the foundation is ready we can install.