Care for Outdoor Garden Statues and Fountains

Care for your outdoor garden statues and fountains is necessary but need not take all of your time.  PLEASE NOTE you should always follow your manufacturer’s advice.  They know the materials your piece is created from and how to best care for it.  If you have lost the original paperwork that came with your piece, you can usually find help online.  That being said, if you have received your piece without instructions, I can give you some general ideas; but please consider the material you are dealing with because it can make a difference.

Outdoor Statues – Some new statues (especially cast stone) have salts in their materials that will leach out for a while.  It will look like a whitish haze on them (efflorescence) that will disappear over time.  This is usually natural but again, check with your manufacturer.

Even though many statues are permanently installed in the open air, it is best for them to be protected from water and freezing weather.  If possible, a roof can be built over them or if you live in a place with extreme temperature fluctuations, they can be covered with burlap and a tarp until the weather stabilizes.  Like fountains, smaller pieces can be brought inside through the worst of it.  Some cast stone statues do well having a sealant applied on a yearly basis.  Be careful as there are different products and you need one that is compatible with your statue.

If your statue needs cleaning, a nylon brush with some mild detergent should be all you need.  Do not use strongly acidic solutions and watch out in areas where a lot of winter salt is used to clear ice.  Make sure you wash it off your statue so that it doesn’t affect it.

Fountains are easily maintained.

Fountains – I have a fiberglass fountain that I purchased 2 1/2 years ago.  Since I live in Florida, there are only a few nights that I have to worry about freezing weather.  So far, it has held up nicely.  I usually spend about 10 minutes a week caring for it.  First I skim any leaves out and then I use a short piece of hose to siphon any dirt that has settled on the bottom of the bowls.  Finally I make sure the water level is where it should be and then add a little bleach to keep it clear.  When it is running, I check it every 3 or 4 hours to make sure the water is deep enough.  It is better to fill it more frequently than to let it get too empty and risk having your pump burn out.

If you live in a northern climate, a smaller fountain can be emptied and even moved inside until the thaw/frost cycles are over for the year.  If it can’t be moved, drain it and put burlap into the bowl, then cover it with a tarp.   If it is a very large fountain, keep the water circulating during cold weather so that the pump can’t freeze.  You can further protect it by installing a water heater.

Some manufacturers recommend that you take your pump apart about once a month and soak the parts in vinegar to keep them free of mineral deposits.  I confess, I haven’t done that yet but will include it in this year’s winter maintenance plans.  You can find more helpful information on the Garden Statue Shop Information pages.