How to Winterize an Outdoor Water Fountain
If you live in an area that experiences prolonged freezing temperatures, winterizing your outdoor fountain can help prevent costly damage to the basin, pump, tubing and other components.
Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can gradually weaken fountain materials, allowing small cracks to widen over time. Moisture trapped in the basin, plumbing or pump housing freezes and expands, then contracts as temperatures rise, creating ongoing stress throughout the system.
Proper winterization helps protect your fountain from these seasonal hazards and can extend the life of both the fountain and its pump.
How to winterize an outdoor water fountain:
- Drain the fountain
- Clean the fountain
- Remove or insulate the fountain pump
- Cover the fountain and insulate the basin
- Bring the fountain inside or raise the fountain off the ground
- Protect the fountain’s additional parts and supply lines
- Monitor the fountain throughout the winter
- Prepare your fountain for spring
To learn more about winterizing your outdoor fountain, follow our guide below.
When Should I Winterize My Fountain?
Winterizing requirements vary by region. In some areas, temperatures rarely drop low enough for fountains to freeze, meaning winterization may not be necessary. In colder climates, however, preparations should begin in fall to help prevent freeze-related damage.
The best time to winterize a fountain is before freezing temperatures become consistent. Warning signs that cold weather may be affecting the system include ice forming on the water's surface, reduced water flow, or unusual pump noise. If temperatures are expected to remain below 28°F (-2°C) for extended periods, it is time to prepare the fountain for winter.
Hawaii, Southern California, Gulf Coast and Southern Florida: Homeowners in these regions typically do not need to winterize their fountains because temperatures rarely remain cold enough for the water to freeze and cause damage.
Pacific Northwest, Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic: Fountain owners in these areas should monitor winter weather conditions closely. During short periods of freezing temperatures, temporarily shutting down the fountain may be sufficient. Other options include installing a submersible fountain de-icer, running the pump during frost events or fully winterizing the fountain during the coldest part of the season.
Midwest, New England and Mountain West: In these regions, fountains should generally be fully winterized in October or November and remain out of service until spring, once the risk of sustained freezing temperatures has passed.
Northern States and Canadian Border: For areas that experience long, harsh winters, winterization is often recommended by late September or early October, before the first prolonged freeze. Acting early helps protect fountain components from freeze-related damage throughout the season.
How to Winterize a Fountain
Properly winterizing your fountain is essential to prevent freeze-related damage and extend the life of the fountain and pump. When water freezes, it expands by approximately 9%, creating pressure that can crack basins, damage plumbing and cause pump failures. While adding antifreeze may seem like a simple solution, it is not recommended for outdoor fountains because it can be harmful to birds, pets and other animals that may drink from the water.
Instead, effective winterization requires more than simply draining the basin. Each component should be cleaned, dried and protected before freezing temperatures arrive. The following steps will help safeguard your fountain through the winter months, reduce the risk of costly repairs, and ensure it's ready for a smooth startup in spring.
1. Drain the Fountain
Turn off the pump and drain all water from the fountain basin. If your fountain doesn’t have a drain plug, use a utility pump to remove the water, then clear any remaining moisture with a sponge, towel or leaf blower.
Once the basin is empty, drain water from the pump, tubing and plumbing lines. Compressed air or a wet/dry vacuum can help remove trapped moisture from hard-to-reach areas. Thoroughly drying the system helps prevent freezing water from expanding inside components, reducing the risk of cracks, leaks and other winter damage.
2. Clean the Fountain
After draining the fountain, clean the basin, tiers and exposed components to remove leaves, dirt, algae and other debris. Use warm water, mild dish soap and a soft brush to clean surfaces without causing damage.
Cleaning before winter helps prevent algae and mold buildup while giving you a chance to inspect for cracks, wear or other damage. Once cleaned, allow all components to dry completely before covering or storing the fountain. Even small amounts of trapped moisture can freeze and expand, leading to damage.
3. Remove or Insulate the Fountain Pump
Whether your fountain has a removable pump or not will determine how to protect the pump during the winter months.
Removable Pumps: Once your fountain is clean and completely dry, remove the fountain pump. Clean the pump and make sure there it is free of moisture before storing it in in a dry, frost-free location to help ensure reliable performance when it's time to restart the fountain in the spring.
Non-Removable Pumps: If the pump is not removable, you will still need to insulate it from freezing temperatures. After draining the system, wrap the pump and any exposed tubing with insulating materials such as towels or burlap. This added layer of protection helps absorb residual moisture, reduce exposure to extreme cold and minimize the risk of freeze-related damage during the winter months.
4. Cover the Fountain and Insulate the Basin
Protect your fountain from snow, ice and debris by using a water fountain cover throughout winter. Choose a fountain cover with breathable material, that fits securely and is properly fastened to prevent wind damage and moisture buildup.
For added protection, place absorbent materials such as towels or rags inside the basin to absorb any residual moisture. Foam insulation can be added around the basin's edges to reduce freeze-related stress.
5. Bring the Fountain Inside or Raise the Fountain Off the Ground
For smaller fountains, it is often best to move them to a protected location, such as a garage or covered porch. However, if the fountain is too difficult to relocate but can be slightly lifted, elevate it on bricks, pavers or wooden blocks. Raising the fountain off the ground helps prevent it from sitting in ice or freezing to surrounding surfaces, reducing the risk of damage during winter.
6. Protect the Fountain’s Additional Parts and Supply Lines
Beyond preparing the fountain itself, it's important to winterize the accessories and water supply lines that keep it operating properly. Begin by turning off any auto-fill systems and disconnecting supply lines to prevent water from remaining in the plumbing, where freezing temperatures can lead to cracks or other damage.
Once disconnected, inspect and clear any debris from the lines and accessories. Taking these extra steps helps protect critical components during the off-season, reduces the risk of costly repairs and ensures your fountain is ready for a smooth startup when warmer weather returns.
7. Monitor the Fountain Throughout the Winter
Check on your fountain periodically during the winter months. Ensure that the cover remains in place, no moisture is collecting under the cover and no water has accumulated in the fountain. Address any issues promptly to prevent damage.
8. Prepare Your Fountain for Spring
As spring approaches, begin preparing your fountain for reactivation. Remove the cover, clean any debris, make sure all components are in proper working order and inspect the fountain for signs of damage before refilling and restarting the fountain. A thorough inspection can help prevent leaks, improve performance and ensure a trouble-free start to the season.
Winterizing Fountains by Material Type
Understanding how your fountain's material handles cold weather can help you take the right precautions and reduce the risk of cracks, discoloration and other winter damage.
Concrete and Natural Stone Fountains: Fountains made from these materials are particularly susceptible to freeze damage because they can absorb and retain moisture. If trapped water freezes and expands, it may lead to cracking, chipping or surface deterioration. These fountains need to be thoroughly drained and dry before being covered, such as with a portable utility pump. To further protect the concrete, apply a fresh coat of concrete sealant after winterizing the fountain.
Cast Stone Fountains: While cast stone fountains mimic natural stone, they take more time to dry out because of microscopic air pockets within the material. Several weeks before a hard freeze, begin winterizing the fountain, giving it ample time to completely dry. Additionally, a breathable stone sealer can be applied to provide more protection.
Fiberglass and Resin Fountains: These types of fountains are more resistant to moisture and freezing temperatures because they are not very porous. However, they still benefit from proper winter preparation because below freezing temperatures can cause plastic polymers to become brittle. Additionally, because they are not as heavy as concrete or stone fountains, heavy winds can tip them over and cause damage.
Since these pumps are usually lighter, the best option is to winterize the fountain and bring it inside. However, if you cannot bring it inside, draining the basin, removing the pump, using a protective cover and securing the base with weights like sandbags can help preserve the finish and prevent unnecessary wear during the off-season. For additional protection, apply a UV-resistant acrylic spray every year.
Ceramic Fountains: Fountains made with ceramic are often the most vulnerable to cold-weather damage. Freezing temperatures can cause ceramic materials to crack or fracture, especially if any moisture remains inside. Whenever possible, move ceramic fountains to a protected indoor location for the winter to help prevent costly damage.
Winterizing Your Fountain Helps Prevent Costly Repairs
Winterizing your outdoor fountain takes a little time, but it can help prevent costly repairs and extend the life of both the fountain and its pump. By removing water, cleaning components, protecting plumbing and covering the fountain before freezing temperatures arrive, you can reduce the risk of cracks, leaks and other cold-weather damage.
The exact steps may vary depending on your climate and the material your fountain is made from, but the goal is always the same: prevent moisture from freezing inside the system. With proper preparation in the fall and occasional monitoring throughout the winter, your fountain will be better protected during the off-season and ready for a smooth, trouble-free startup when spring returns.