Fountain and Water Feature Maintenance Checklist for the UAE

A water feature that is looked after for ten minutes a week stays beautiful for years. One that is ignored turns green, scales up and burns out its pump. This checklist covers what to do and how often, adjusted for UAE heat, hard water and dust.

Daily or whenever you notice

• Listen to the pump: a change in sound is the first warning.
• Check that the water level is correct and the fall is even.
• Remove leaves, dust and any debris from the basin.

Weekly

• Clean the skimmer and the pump pre-filter.
• Top up evaporated water. In summer it can be a lot.
• Wipe visible algae off the surface before it spreads.

Monthly

• Clean the filter or media according to its type.
• Remove scale from stone, glass and nozzles. Hard water leaves white marks that become harder to clean with time.
• Check the lighting, seals and electrical connections for moisture.
• Test the water, and treat it if there is a problem.

Seasonal

Before summer, check the pump, the automatic top-up and any cooling. During summer, algae grows faster and evaporation is highest, so inspect more often. After a dusty or stormy period, clean the basin and the filter.

Common problems

• Green water. Too much sun and nutrients. Clean, shade where possible and treat.
• White crust. Scale from hard water. Remove gently and soften the water if it recurs.
• Weak flow. A blocked filter or nozzle, or a pump wearing out.
• Loud sound. Low water level or air in the line.

When to ask for help

If the pump trips, there is a leak or the water will not clear, ask for a professional inspection. Our team looks after features as well as aquariums, see maintenance and care. Design affects how easy this all is, so see water feature cost and the custom water features service.

FAQ

How often should a fountain be cleaned?

Skim weekly and do a full clean when the water or filters call for it, more often in summer.

Why does my fountain keep losing water?

Evaporation and splash are the usual causes. A steady fall in the level overnight may mean a leak.

Ask us about a service plan for your feature.

Further reading: Fountain (Wikipedia)