How to Clean Algae from Your Water Fountain, Pond, or Pool the Easy Way

As cool and refreshing as water can be both to swim in and gaze upon, it can also be a bear to clean when algae begins taking over your beautiful fountain, pond or pool. Our two-tiered water fountain graces the landscaped shrubs and rose bushes in the front yard, and used to be a real chore to try and keep cleaned, for example, when ever company would come in from out of town. Having tried brushes, rags, and even Mr. Clean Stain Erasers to try and keep the algae out, some of it would inevitably get left behind in the contours and pores of the fountain, and within days, would develop another fine film of green. Chemicals are out of the question because of their propensity to kill plant life growing around it. Then one day as I was watching my son clean the oil spots off the driveway with an old, raggedy-but still functioning pressure washer-the proverbial light bulb flashed on: why not use it on the ugly, green algae encased water fountain? We thought at first the paint would chip off as the highly pressurized water scoured the fountain surface, but not only did it not shave off the painted surface, but did a wonderful job of getting rid of the unsightly green goo, even down to the very dimples and divots of the textured surface areas-in record time!

Tools needed:

Pressure Washer-any size will do

Extension Cord

Water

Cleaning Fluid (If desired, but not recommended if plants are in proximity)

Step 1: Gas up, plug in and attach water hose to pressure washer

Step 2: Empty all water out of vessel

Step 3: Start with the lowest pressure available and see how that works, adjusting upward as necessary, to help avoid chipping paint.

Step 4: Start at the top and work down efficiently removing all algae growth.

Step 5: For pool or pond, use a ShopVac to suck up the dirty water once washing is finished.

That's it! Now sit back, pop a cold one, and enjoy your sparkling-clean fountain, pond or pool.