Cast Stone Fountains - Helpful Hints, Care, and Assembly Information
About Cast Stone
Cast stone fountains are striking, beautiful accents for the yard or garden that will last many years with proper care and maintenance. A type of concrete, cast stone is a highly refined architectural pre-cast building stone. It's made from fine and coarse aggregates such as limestone, granite, calcite, quartz, marble, natural sands, Portland cement and mineral oxide coloring pigments. This mixture is rammed into sturdy molds to achieve a dense texture which is strikingly similar in appearance and durability to natural cut stone. Its appearance is actually improved by exposure to the elements over the years. Cast stone's superiority to concrete is clear - it has a more natural appearance, and does not contain the coarse, dark aggregates that start to show through over time as with concrete.
Fountain Placement
Basin FountainsIf you're planning to install your new cast stone garden fountain on a hard surface such as a tile or concrete slab, spread a thin layer of sand - from 1/2" to 1" - on the surface before assembling the fountain. Doing so will reduce the risk of stress cracks to the basin, and will help with leveling as well. On soil surfaces, sand is not required but does help to level the basin.
Pedestal Style FountainsWe recommend placing pedestal style fountains on a firm, level foundation. When placed on dirt, erosion may occur unless you use a concrete stepping stone at least 24" in diameter under the fountain. Most pedestals are hollow inside, which can allow fountain water splash, rain, or sprinkler water to wash away the dirt at the foundation and cause your fountain to fall over.
For maximum aesthetic appeal, these fountains have been designed so that the pump is not visible, but is easily accessible for maintenance. You needn't worry about unsightly cords hanging over the basin - they come out from underneath the fountain. For even more ease of use, you'll find a drain hole with a rubber stopper for fast and easy cleaning and water replacement.
Helpful Hints:
- While our cast stone fountains are very sturdy, we recommend that you prevent people and pets from sitting or standing on any part of the fountain.
- These fountains are intended for outdoor use only, except for the wall fountains weighing under 80 pounds. As such, some splashing is possible. Splashing in large garden fountains is a natural result of the pleasant, high water sound. If you choose to place your fountain indoors, you are solely liable for any damage that may occur.
- Our cast stone garden fountains are held together by gravity - they do not have interlocking parts. Glue and cement is not only unnecessary, it's not recommended, as you may want to dismantle the parts to service or move the fountain.
Cast Stone Fountain Care
Pump Care- If the pump is allowed to run dry, it will burn out the motor - always monitor the water level to prevent this from happening. The simplest way to do so is to fill it up with a garden hose every few days to make up for evaporation.
Winterization - Cast stone must be protected from freezing, or damage may occur. It's best to store them indoors (such as in a garage or shed) during the winter, but this is not always possible. Just be sure not to let water collect and freeze in the bowls, to prevent large cracks that can allow water to leak out. Small hairline surface cracks are normal due to natural weathering and outdoor temperature changes, and will not interfere with the functionality of the fountain. There are no manufacturer warranties for this occurrence.
Fountain covers are ideal for cast stone fountain protection during cold weather. We have many different sizes available to fit nearly any size fountain.
Assembly and Regular Maintenance - Read all of the information provided with your fountain. These instructions will explain the assembly process in detail, as well as the proper care of both your fountain and pump.
Color Finishes - We have chosen only the most durable, high quality finishes available to ensure that your cast stone fountain remains beautiful over the years. These finishes are hand-applied and bond with the cast stone material, creating an extremely long-lasting color. However, if you'd like to refresh the color of your fountain, we can provide you with water based exterior latex touch up kits. Just give us a call if you decide you'd like some.