Fountain and pond questions, answered

The most common causes are a tripped GFCI outlet, a pump clogged with leaves or pine needles, water too low for the pump, or a pump that finally wore out. Check that the outlet has power and the water is at the normal level first. If it still won't run, unplug it so the pump can't overheat and call us.

Humming with no flow usually means a clogged intake, a jammed impeller, an air lock or a pump running dry. Shut it off right away, because a pump running dry can burn out within hours. Cleaning the intake and refilling the water fixes it sometimes, and if not, the pump needs repair or replacement.

Clear leaves and debris from the basin every week or two, especially during spring pollen season and fall leaf drop. Plan on a deeper cleaning to remove algae and mineral scale every two to three months. A clean fountain runs quieter and its pump lasts longer.

Moving water is not a good place for mosquitoes to breed, but a fountain that's turned off or barely trickling can become one within about a week in warm weather. Keep the pump running daily in mosquito season, or drain the fountain if it'll be off for a while. Mosquito dunks are an option for still water, but they're not safe in every pond with fish, so ask first.

For a short freeze, keep the pump running, since moving water is less likely to freeze solid. For a hard freeze like the one in February 2021, unplug the pump, drain small fountains and bring small pumps indoors. Water that freezes in cracks and bowls is what splits concrete and cast stone fountains.

Most fountain and pond pumps last about three to five years of daily use, sometimes longer if they're kept clean and never run dry. Pumps that are undersized, clogged often or exposed to direct sun tend to fail sooner. If yours is older than that and struggling, replacement is usually the better value.

Green water is a bloom of free-floating algae fed by fish waste, decaying leaves, extra food and lots of sun. The lasting fix is a clean-out, a correctly sized filter, a UV clarifier and more plant cover. Chemicals alone tend to bring the bloom right back.

Fill the pond to a marked level, turn off the pump and wait 24 hours. If the level holds with the pump off, the leak is in the waterfall, stream or plumbing. If it drops either way, the liner or a low edge is the likely culprit.

Yes. We work on HOA entrance fountains, office and retail water features, and restaurant fountains. Commercial jobs are priced per job after a site visit, and the schedule gets planned around when your property is busiest.

Most residential fountain repairs in the north Houston area run $200 to $700. Pump repairs run $50 to $400 and pump replacements run $300 to $900. You get a free written estimate before any work starts.

Not always. If the fountain or pond is easy to reach and we've already agreed on the work and price, many repairs can be done while you're out. For the first visit, it helps if someone's home to show us the problem and where the power is.

Yes. If your fountain is beyond repair or you want something new, we can help you choose a fountain that fits the space, set it level and wire it safely to an existing outdoor outlet. New circuits are handled by a licensed electrician.