Pond care should always include careful maintenance of your pump.
The plumbing system of your pond may not be visible, but it is integral to having a healthy water environment. It acts as the circulation system of your pond, helping to keep algae growth in check, maintaining the proper balance of bacteria and allowing features such as waterfalls to work properly. And if the plumbing is the circulatory system, then the pump is the heart, the focal point that keeps the whole thing humming along.
To have a healthy pond, you need to make sure that your pump is working properly. A working pump keeps water circulating which provides oxygenation for the pond and allows streams and waterfalls to have the continual water flow that they need. That’s why good pond maintenance should always include taking good care of your pump. Unfortunately, for most pond owners, the pond pump can be the most intimidating part of their entire water feature; but that doesn’t have to be the case.
The fact is that because your pump is outside and exposed to the elements on a regular basis, it is likely to experience issues from time to time. No matter how much you stay on top of pond care, some things just can’t be avoided. This is particularly true in places like the Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady area that often see harsh winters. Those low temperatures can cause pipes to freeze and crack and pumps to become damaged.
Watch for Falling Leaves and Twigs
At the same time, the falling leaves and twigs that may look so pretty during Autumn can accumulate in your pond pump and cause it to stop functioning. These are all things that you need to take into consideration when it comes to pond maintenance and to caring for your pump in particular. The more you can stay on top of conditions in your pond, the better your chances of keeping your pump in working order.
When issues do crop up, it’s important not to panic. While dealing with something so complex may seem out of your reach, it really doesn’t have to be. Pumps aren’t nearly as intimidating as they seem. Underneath it all, they are simply working engines. They require an electric current to power the motor, which in turn works to keep water flowing through the pipes and into the pond. When you look at it this way, it’s easy to see why a pump is so crucial to good pond care. Without it, everything can come to a complete standstill.
Debris Build Up
The most common issues with a pond pump are limited water circulation and lack of circulation entirely. These issues can have many causes, but the most likely is that something has clogged the plumbing or the pump itself. Regular pond maintenance can prevent this from happening. You should give your pond a regular once-over to ensure that debris is not building up, especially in the area around the pump and plumbing. Pay particular attention to the filter basket and pad, both of which should frequently be cleaned.
If it’s not a surface issue with the pond, it may be the pump itself that is clogged. You can find this out by shutting it off and removing it from the pond and inspecting it carefully. It is possible that sticks or debris have become lodged in the impeller, the part of the pump responsible for creating water movement. Simply remove any debris you find, plug your pump back in, and it should start working again. This is one of the easier elements of pond care, but the idea of getting up close and personal with the pump can be intimidating.
Lack of Water
Another simple issue that can cause a pond pump to malfunction is lack of water. It seems obvious, but many people don’t take into account that a pump needs the right amount of water flowing through it for it to work. The first thing you should check if you do experience pump issues is if the water level has gotten too low. If this is the case, all you may need to do is add some water, and that will solve the problem. Sometimes pond maintenance really can be that easy!
Electrical Issues
Electrical issues can also cause your pump to malfunction, so if water level or debris isn’t the culprit, you’ll then want to check the electrical circuit to make sure it hasn’t tripped. An important part of pond care is making sure that you have the right size pump for your pond and the proper voltage to run it. The manufacturer’s specifications, which are usually listed right on the box, should tell you everything you need to know about the compatibility between your pond and your pump.
If you experience a power outage or a power surge, you’ll want to check your pond pump to make sure that it hasn’t been affected. And you need to be sure that your pump isn’t pulling too much power for the circuit it’s connected to which can cause it to trip frequently. All of these steps are a very important part of pond maintenance as a faulty pump can have a drastic effect on the entire water ecosystem.
Having a pond and waterfall should be a source of enjoyment, not stress, and that starts with having a good working pump.
Let Decker’s Pondscapes help you with everything you need to know to keep your pump working properly and the water flowing freely, so your pond will remain the oasis of peace and tranquility you want it to be.
