RESTARTING A
NON-OPERATIONAL
WATER FEATURE
By Leanne Harvey
M
any communities and properties that
turned off water features in the past few
years due to current water conservation
concerns have recently decided to re-
start them. However, before you move
forward and flip the switch to get your fountain or other
water feature running again, there’s some extremely
critical information you need to know to protect your
investment from potentially costly damage — especially
if your water feature has been shut off for an extended
period of time.
The first step you should take is to check all of the
mechanical components of your water feature before
turning it back on. Chances are, if your water feature
has been left high and dry for any length of time, some,
if not all of the mechanical components will need to
be replaced. Please note that the Mechanical Systems
generally consist of the following components:
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Many mechanical components in water features use
either a rubber seal, gasket or O-ring. The main purpose
of these components is to prevent leakage. When
a water feature has been turned off for a protracted
period of time, these components will have likely dried,
becoming brittle and cracked, making it critical to
|
SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY INSIDER
After a period of disuse, motor bearings are likely to seize
up when you restart the motor. This in turn can cause
the pump to lock up and become damaged. Repair or
replacement can cost thousands of dollars if that occurs.
Make sure to check for corrosion on the pump impellers
prior to starting the motor as this can also cause the
pump to seize.
If the valve seal has cracked (and chances are, it has) then
the valve won’t close properly. So be sure to check this as
well and always replace as necessary.
When was the last time you took a look inside your
electrical panel and control box? If you do take a look,
you might find problems that require immediate attention.
Without a ventilation fan running in that confined and
humid space, you’ll probably find significant corrosion that
can lead to short-circuiting.
What to Check
Pumps
Light Fixtures
Valves
Unions
Filters
Cord Seals
Flange Fittings
Strainer Baskets
What to Look For
36
replace them before restarting the water feature. Failure
to incur the minimal expense of replacing a brittle or
cracked O-ring or gasket may result in substantial water
damage and repair costs.
FALL 2019
If your water feature uses an automated chemical feeding
system, be sure to check that. Metering pumps, solenoid
valves, tubes and fittings — along with rubber seals — will
have all likely corroded over time and need replacing.
Replacement of these components will help to keep the
feeding system working well and keep other maintenance
costs low.
Drain any standing water that has collected in your water
feature prior to turning it back on. In fact, it is highly
recommended that you perform this function at all times
when your feature is off.