The use of water features can instantly transform the look and feel of your garden. From adding visual interest and soothing sounds to attracting wildlife, water features bring multi-sensory benefits to your outdoor space.

Whether you choose an electric or solar water feature, it’s bound to create a beautiful focal point that catches the eye. But are water features hard to maintain? How often do they need to be cleaned? Are they expensive to run?

In this guide, we explain it all and answer frequently asked questions, like how to choose the right design, how to keep water clean in a water feature, how to prevent algae, what running costs are involved, and how to install a water feature in your garden without mains power.

The benefits of adding water features to your garden

If you love the myriad sights and sounds of water, you may have been considering adding a water feature to your garden. There are many benefits of using water as a landscaping element, one being that so many people find it to be instantly soothing.

Not only does water create aesthetic appeal, but it also provides countless options for creativity. You can experiment with colour, texture, movement, and shape.

Other than design, the benefits of water feature installation include:

·         More birds and wildlife: Depending on the feature you choose, you may be able to attract birds, butterflies and other fauna. This is because water enhances the ecosystem through moisture, while providing clean drinking water for wildlife.

·         Increased relaxation: Just the sight or sound of moving water can trigger a neurochemical response in the brain, which helps people relax. Many garden lovers will agree that water features are soothing to have around!

·         Noise reduction: Hearing trickling water can be a great way to mask outdoor noise pollution, whether it’s traffic from busy roads, construction work, or your neighbours.

·         Microclimate benefits: Water can create a cool and damp microclimate in your garden, which provides respite on hot days while also encouraging better plant diversity.

How to water features work? 

So, how does a water feature work? Before we get into how to keep water features clean and how to maintain them, it’s important to understand how they function.

Most water features work in a similar way: self-contained, with water being stored in a reservoir. A pump is the mechanism used for moving the water against gravity, while gravity brings the water back down in a flowing motion.

The pumps are powered either by battery, mains electricity or solar energy. Many water features give you the option of solar or mains power. So, depending on which type of feature you go for, there will be different considerations for placement and installation. A good quality pump is important, as it is central to keeping water flowing – and this is key when it comes to knowing how to keep water feature water clean.

For a water feature that isn’t self-contained, you will usually need to fix it to a mains water supply. If you want to keep your mains water free for other garden requirements, we would then recommend setting up a separate reservoir to keep the water inside your feature in circulation.

At Festive Lights, all our battery and solar water features are self-contained, so you won’t have to worry about mains water attachment.

Choosing the right water feature for your garden

There are so many options that it can be hard to know where to start. Here is a quick run-down of the main considerations:

Power 

When it comes to power, you can choose between plug-in, battery and solar water features. The type of power you choose will impact how to fit a water feature, or where you decide to place it. For instance, if you choose a plug-in design, you will need to get an outdoor power supply (such as wiring an external socket).

At Festive Lights, many of our solar water features come with a secondary power supply (either solar and plug-in or solar and back-up battery). This means you’ll have a bit more flexibility with product placement.

Style and design  

Some of the most popular products in our collection include waterfalls and cascading bowls, pagoda-style water fountains, bird bath-style fountains, and small bowls. We also stock realistic rock effect designs that blend in with garden landscapes, as well as novelty designs that give a sense of whimsy to your outdoor space.

If you want to know how to keep water clean in a water feature with minimal effort, you’ll need to consider the size of the water feature. Maintaining water features is easier when they are smaller as there is less surface area to clean. But regardless of size, maintenance is usually straightforward when you follow basic guidelines.

Is it easy to maintain water features? 

Both plug-in and solar water features are easy to look after, without any extensive maintenance requirements. The main thing is to practice good cleanliness. This is essential if you want to prevent algae build-up, murky-looking water or unwanted smells.

Other things you’ll need to do routinely are:

·         Check water levels – Make sure there is enough water to keep the pump operating correctly (autofill kits can be bought to help with water level regulation).

·         Inspect pumps and filters – You need to regularly check parts to ensure they are all working efficiently and there aren’t any blockages. This is important when learning how to keep water feature water clean, as blockages can lead to stagnant water issues.

·         Prepare for winter – In harsher winters, you may want to winterise your water feature and drain it out. This is usually a good idea for small water features (300mm or less in water depth).

How to keep a water feature clean

A common question is, “How do you keep a water feature clean?” The key is to keep the water inside the reservoir free from algae build-up. To do this, most self-contained designs should be cleaned (and have the water changed) around once a month.

You should also keep the feature running continuously. The reason for this is to keep a constant flow of oxygen in the water system, making it hard for algae to thrive. Good oxygen supply is our number one tip on knowing how to keep water feature water clear! Feel free to have your feature turned on throughout the year – or as often as possible.

How to stop algae in water features 

If you want to know how to stop algae in a water feature, consider using algae control treatment. We recommend avoiding chemicals where possible and using natural treatments for algae prevention to protect wildlife and plants.

How yto stop algea in a water feature that's already grown 

For algae that has appeared, remove it as soon as possible. Here are the steps for cleaning:

1.    Unplug or turn off your water feature and drain all the water out.

2.    If it’s easy to do so, take off the pump and use a small brush to clean it out and rinse it with water. Always follow any manufacturer's instructions provided.

3.    Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water into a spray bottle and use this solution on any areas affected by green algae. Avoid any planting areas when doing this.

4.    For tougher build-up, apply 100% white wine vinegar and scrub the area as needed.

5.    Wash everything down with water from a hose before turning the feature back on.

Once you know how to keep water clean in a water feature and how to remove stubborn algae, ongoing maintenance is simple.

Are water features expensive to run? 

Now you know how to keep water feature water clean, what are the costs involved? As they'll be turned on constantly, are water features expensive to run?

Large water features can typically have a 12W pump, which makes the average cost less than 8p per day if left to run continuously on the mains supply. This is a small investment for a beautiful design feature in the garden. You can make it even more affordable with a solar water feature. With solar water features, the sun’s renewable energy powers the water pump, so it won’t cost you anything in electricity or battery replacements.

In terms of water, you shouldn’t use much more water than what is in the reservoir. Most designs only need topping up during the hot summer months, or windy periods.

Do solar water features work in the winter? 

Choosing a solar water feature is the most environmentally friendly option, and it saves on electricity, too. But many people worry about how the water feature might perform in the winter, especially here in the UK.

Solar water features will still run through the winter, but this may be for a shorter time due to reduced sunlight. This is why you can get solar water features with a backup power source.

Top tip! How to keep water features clean in winter

For water features to remain clean, they need to be running continuously. Due to reduced sunlight, some people choose to store their water feature away or, if possible, have it running indoors during the winter.

If you decide to keep it outside all year round, we recommend winterising your solar water feature and using the back-up power source to keep the water system flowing.

How to install a water feature in the garden 

At Festive Lights, all our designs are self-contained, so no plumbing is required. They can be installed anywhere you like because they do not need to be attached to a mains water supply. Just be sure to place solar-powered features in a good spot to receive sunlight.

The set-up is simple too. Once your plug-in, battery or solar water feature is assembled, you will have everything you need to get going straight away. Just remember not to turn on your pump until it is fully submerged in water, as pumping air can cause it to become damaged.

All products come with full set-up instructions, so check the manual when your product arrives. We also offer a warranty, giving you added peace of mind when you shop with us.

Find the perfect water feature at Festive Lights 

We have a large selection of garden water features for you to choose from. Within our range, you’ll find pagoda-style designs, waterfalls and cascading bowls, bird bath-style designs, ultra-contemporary and traditional designs, LED water features, small, contained bowls that can be placed anywhere in your landscaping and rockery, plus animal and fairy designs that add charm and playfulness to your outdoor space.

Our friendly team is here to answer your questions. Get in touch if you need further details on how to fit a water feature, how to keep water clean in a water feature, how to stop algae in a water feature, how to maintain a water feature in the winter, or anything else you need to know.

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