From House To Home

Q: Dear Christopher: I read somewhere that you have many outdoor fountains. I would love to add fountains to my yard and am hoping the sound will help drown out the traffic near my house. Will it work? Tell me everything you know about outdoor fountains!  Ann Marie in Waco, TX

A: Dear Ann Marie: First of all, yes the sound of falling water from several outdoor fountains will indeed turn basic traffic sounds into a nice uneven white noise. But make sure that you purchase a fountain that makes enough sound to do the trick. Look for a fountain where the water does not simply bubble up or gurgle, but in fact, falls at least a foot or more into more water below--meaning the best fountains need a lower basin where water hits water--to get the real effect.

Find fountains that hold enough water to prevent a lot of evaporation.  Otherwise you’ll be replenishing the water almost every day. Speaking of replenishing, please know that once you “go” fountain, you can’t go back. They are not maintenance-free. They need to be drained a minimum of once a month, scrubbed and refilled with fresh water. Most fountains need to be tapped off at least three times a week since the water (especially in the hot Texas sun) will drop at least an inch to an inch and a half a day. If the water drops enough to expose the recycling pump, the pump could burn out--not good.

Get a pump that has at least three speeds so you can regulate the force of the water. Make sure that it is self-filtering, and that you clean the filter intake area of the pump whenever you think about it. Your water needs to be treated with an anti-bacterial solution at least twice a week--this is available in most nurseries. Without it you’ll have a swamp in no time. Never use bleach or chlorine--bleach, though usually handy, will actually erode any rubber stops or hoses in your fountain filtration system.

Once you get your fountains up and running, be prepared to entertain a variety of birds. They will adopt your fountains as their private day spas and will use them to drink out of, bathe in and even wash their prey before consumption. Make sure that your water treating formula stays animal safe.

Don’t be concerned with adding any frills. While water plants seem romantic and look great at the nursery, they are just another element to worry about--now you have to add water gardening to your list of chores. They grow so fast that in two weeks you won’t even see the water. Plants also generate living organisms, slime and whatnot. And remember, they all have to be removed every time you clean your fountain. I made this mistake. Then I went to rubber plants and they attracted just as much debris and mold. Then I went to decorative rocks and this made cleaning the fountains a nightmare. So find fountains that look great with nothing in them but water. The upshot is to keep it simple.

As far as fountain design, I prefer cement cast wall fountains that back up to garden walls. They take up little footprint and the basins are large enough to hold plenty of water. But beware--fountains will splash and there will be a continual ring of dampness at least two feet all around each fountain. So it’s best not to have them directly up against a house structure. If you do a freestanding fountain you should choose a three tiered one that will hold enough water to make the appropriate sound and prevent too much evaporation. For a fountain that holds enough water be ready to pay between $500 and $1,000.

All said and done, outdoor fountains need to be viewed as a hobby. But the great news is that it’s absolutely worth it and can transform any outdoor area into a magical and tranquil space. Good luck!

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