How to Winterize Your Pond

As winter weather conditions continue, your ecosystem pond, swim pond, pondless waterfall, or fountain may be at risk of various forms of damage if you do not take proper precautions. While similar steps can be taken for each type of water feature, ponds require specific steps to ensure that they are clean and free of damage once spring arrives. As leading providers of high-quality water features for all types of properties, the team at Fontana Ponds & Water Features knows how important it is to care for your pond. That is why we have compiled a list of important actions to perform to help you understand how to winterize your pond and keep it in the best possible condition.

Learn how to maintain a running pond in winter.

4 Actions to Perform to Winterize Your Pond

To ensure that your pond is fully winterized, be sure to perform the following actions:

1. Remove Leaves and Debris

Before performing any other steps, it is crucial to remove all leaves and debris. A long-handled pond net can be used to remove debris from the surface and bottom of the pond. Leftover debris will decay over winter, resulting in a bigger mess to clean in spring. It is also worth checking the skimmer basket every few days to remove any fallen debris.

2. Add Cold Water Bacteria

Cold water bacteria contains concentrated strains of beneficial bacteria that are designed to work in water temperatures as low as 0°C. Regular use of cold water bacteria will help maintain water quality and clarity while dramatically reducing spring maintenance by removing debris that may accumulate over winter.

3. Ensure that Your Fish are Healthy

If you have them in your pond, check on your fish to ensure that they are healthy before they go into hibernation. When the water temperature falls below 15°C, the metabolism and digestion of your fish begins to slow down. Once you have determined that your fish are healthy, it is important to stop feeding them once temperatures start to drop. Continuing to feed your fish in cold temperatures can create additional waste, reducing water clarity and resulting in more work once spring arrives.

4. Remove Your Pump and Drain Water from Plumbing Systems

Many homeowners choose to shut their ponds off during winter but fail to perform crucial tasks to minimize the risk of damage. To reduce wear on your pump, remove it from your pond and store it in a warm place over winter. It is also worth draining the water out of the plumbing as this prevents standing water from freezing and expanding, potentially cracking the pipes that connect to your filtration system.

To learn more about pond winterization or to inquire about our pond installation solutions, get in touch with the team at Fontana Ponds & Water Features. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.