Your Guide to Fall Water Feature Maintenance in the Carolinas

A little bit of prevention goes a long way in protecting your water features from cold-season threats like freezing

Can you feel that chill in the air? We know we sure can at Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features! We love the summertime in Rock Hill, SC, but we’re also looking forward to the cooler weather to get a break from the heat.

Although we receive a lot of calls in the Rock Hill area for hardscaping during the fall months, we wanted to take a moment to remind you that right now, during the start of fall, you need to think about water feature maintenance. Although the autumn months don’t get too frigid around here, temperatures do start dropping around early November, and freezing is definitely not out of the question.

Now is the Time to Start a Water Feature Maintenance Plan

By taking some time to maintain your water features, including koi ponds, foundations, and pondless waterfalls, you can not only protect your water features over the winter, but they will also be ready to start up worry-free in the spring.

While our Rock Hill water feature experts are available to help you with water feature maintenance, installation, and repair all year long, below are some tips for water feature maintenance in the Carolinas this fall:

Take steps to prevent freezing first to ensure your water features will work come springtime.

Prevent Freezing First

Freezing can be a big deal for water features. Any moisture left in your hoses, pumps, ponds, and other areas can freeze and cause damage to your installation. We always want to address the potential for freezing first since it can be detrimental to the investment you’ve made in your outdoor living spaces.

Drain and Insulate Your System

You want to start winterizing by draining your water features. Following this, you can take additional steps to insulate pipes and lines as well as pumps. Always make sure to disconnect the power of any pumps before insulating. This can be done at your main breaker, but if you have a plug-in unit, unplug it and turn off the power at the breaker.

It’s usually best to disconnect pumps at the breaker when not in use during the fall season.

Disconnect and Store Any Pumps in a Safe, Dry Place

If you have removable pumps, disconnect them and store them in a safe, dry place. Ideally, you will want to store pumps in a location that isn’t exposed to the elements, meaning areas like carports should be avoided. A closed garage or workshop/shed can be ideal.

Use a Deicer as Needed

The use of deicer products may or may not be necessary. We recommend consulting with our water feature experts in Rock Hill before applying any chemicals to your water feature components. Not all water features play nice with different chemicals, and we can let you know whether a product is safe to use or not.

Now is a good time to clean water pumps & filters to to prevent corrosion or damage over the fall & winter.

Cleaning Pumps and Filters

In addition to draining and storing pumps and filters, you’ll also want to take time to clean them. Today’s water feature pumps offer a lot of efficiency compared to older models, but they can still become dirty and clogged. This can eat away at any efficiency gains you make when purchasing the equipment.

Remove Debris

Once your pumps are disconnected, take some time to remove loose debris. This can include things like leaves, but you can also wipe away dirt. Use a gentle, natural cleaner when possible, but standard all-surface cleaners can also work for exterior areas.

Clean the Filter

Depending on your water feature, you may have a variety of filters, including foam, mesh, and mechanical filters. Remove and clean your filters according to the manufacturer's instructions, or consult our experts for guidance if you cannot find the solution from a manufacturer’s website.

Check for Wear and Tear

While you have everything removed, take a moment to inspect for damage. Tears in filters or areas that have been damaged due to corrosion should be addressed now so your equipment will be ready come spring.

Caring for aquatic plants often means removing them, but some can survive in the water during cooler weather

Preparing Aquatic Plants for the Colder Months

Many of our Rock Hill customers also rely on Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features to handle their landscape design needs, which means we incorporate plants into water features. Aquatic plants need care and maintenance during the fall as well to protect them from the elements during the winter.

Start by Pruning and Trimming

In most cases, you will want to trim dead or overgrown foliage to promote healthy growth and prevent decay in the colder months. If you’re not sure how to do this without harming plants, we recommend you contact our landscapers for expert guidance.

Remove and Protect Floating Plants

If you have floating plants in your water feature, like water lilies or duckweed, remove them before the first frost. These plants can be kept in a cool, indoor location until spring, but you will still want to check on them and add water and nutrients as needed over the colder months.

Protect Hardy Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants, including water irises, can be left in the water feature during the fall and winter if you choose not to empty a pond or other water feature. Hardy plants can survive colder environments, but just to be on the safe side, try to place these plants in the deepest parts of your pond to reduce the potential for freezing. The deeper the water, the longer it will take to freeze solid.

Water feature maintenance, including checking pH levels, is crucial to keep your water features in top working order

General Maintenance Tips for Water Features During the Fall

We also want to share some general maintenance tips you can do for your water features throughout the fall season and into the winter. Consider adding the following to a weekly or monthly checklist to stay on top of maintenance tasks:

Regularly Check Water Levels

If you keep water in your pond or fountain, check water levels often. The contraction of pipes and water lines during the fall can cause water levels to drop, and if temperatures dip below freezing, this can mean a greater chance for frozen lines and damage.

Balance Water Chemistry

You may also need to test for pH and alkalinity as necessary. Balanced water chemistry is crucial for the health of aquatic plants and fish, and water features can naturally experience changes in these conditions. If you notice a big change or are concerned about the quality of your water feature’s water, contact Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features for expert guidance.

Leaking water lines can be a big problem for water features during the fall & winter. Check your lines & pipes often.

Inspect for Leaks

You should also routinely inspect your water features for leaks during the fall and into the winter. Small leaks tend to become big leaks over time, so finding and addressing problem areas early is important. If you find a leak, contact our water feature repair specialists in Rock Hill for fast help.

Caring for Fish in Your Water Feature During the Fall

If you plan to keep a koi pond or some other type of pond with fish stocked during the fall, contact Ground FX Landscaping and Water Features. We can provide personalized tips for your specific situation. Fish care requires an individualized approach because different fish species vary in their needs.

Contact Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features for Water Feature Maintenance This Fall

Although the tips we’ve provided above are designed to offer some direction, many homeowners in the Rock Hill area choose to contact Ground FX Landscaping & Water Features for water feature fall maintenance and care. We can take care of the hard work for you while you focus on more important things.

Contact us today by calling (803) 371-2324, or reach us online using our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our water feature company in Rock Hill SC.