Fountain FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

How resistant to vandalism are STONEWEAR fountains?
In a word, very. If you choose the Magnaguard option, most vandal marks can be washed off. If necessary reset the center feature, check plumbing and electrical connections, and your back in business. Read a real life account of a vandal attack.
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Why is STONEWEAR better than precast concrete?
STONEWEAR is 10 times stronger. It will not crack and subsequently leak as is the case with precast concrete. STONEWEAR finish aesthetics are superior to precast concrete. It has excellent freeze-thaw characteristics. STONEWEAR does not have steel reinforcement to rust through creating unsightly stains.
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What is included in the fountain price?
Everything is included except the water. Freight, which varies by customer location, is also included in the quoted price.
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What are my options for installation?
1. You can install it yourself or with a local contractor. Follow the detailed Installation Instructions.
2. You can have STONEWEAR personnel supervise local labor and have the benefit of a guaranteed installation. This is quoted separately from the fountain quote.
3. You can have a guaranteed STONEWEAR installation where the work is done by our expert personnel (except placement and electrical).
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How complicated is the utility hookup?
The fountain connections to water, drain and electrical services are easy to install. All embedded fittings are PVC slip attachments. Simply "match and attach" - we even include a full range of bushings so your stubbed-out pipes and conduit will always fit. Electrical conduit goes directly into built-in junction boxes in the fountain where wire connections are made to the pre-installed pump(s) and lights.
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How do I know what size and how many wires to stub out to the fountain site?
This will be specified by STONEWEAR. That is why we must have your specific site survey information included when you request a quotation (see Quick Quote form).
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What controls are included?
There is a control box, suitable for indoor or outdoor installation that has two 7-day, 24-hour clocks which control the pump and lights independently. There are ground fault interrupters "GFI" on each circuit in the control box. The control box is located away from the fountain, adjacent to the panel supplying power to the site.
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How is the water level maintained?
There is a high level over flow drain as well as automatic valve to make up the evaporated water, thus maintaining a uniform water level at all times.
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How do I keep the fountain clean?
A built-in chemical dispenser that accepts either chlorine or bromine tablets to inhibit organic growth. Floating debris can be easily skimmed off the surface and nonfloating debris can be conveniently removed with an inexpensive battery powered vacuum. You also have the option of simply draining, cleaning, and refilling.
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How much water is required to fill and operate the fountain?
Very little. For example, the 12 foot diameter round fountain operates with approximately 500 gallons.
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Will the colors in the stone fade over time?
Literally yes, practically no. The integral colors are made by combinations of natural inorganic minerals like iron oxide. The darker the color the more noticeable the color shift may be over decades of time.
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How do I off-load the fountain from the delivery truck?
The fountain will be stretch-wrapped on pallets suitable for being off-loaded with a forklift. threads to receive eyebolts so that it can be lifted off the pallet and swung into place where it is intended to be installed. Additionally, the fountain basin is made with embedded lift eyes.
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What are the site access limitations?
STONEWEAR Turnkey Fountain components do not exceed 8'x18" in two of their three dimensions. In other words, the largest part may be up to 16' in one dimension but not more than 8'x18" in the other two. Think of it as a large 3D rectangle when considering access issues. Sixteen foot diameter basin halves weigh about 1200 pounds so it is possible to use manpower and dollies to move the parts through close areas, if necessary.
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What do I need to do in the winter when it freezes?
If it is just freezing at night with milder daytime temperatures, set the pump timer to run 24 hours a day. To 'winterize' or shut the fountain down for the season, simply 'pull the plug' and drain the water. STONEWEAR has excellent 'freeze-thaw' strength. The temperature cycling will not damage the stonework. The Fountain Operating Manual will indicate where to drain the plumbing.
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Can a heater be installed to keep the fountain running during the coldest part of the winter?
Yes. The exact design and controls will vary with the fountain design and climatic area, so the heating system will be project specific and subject to an additional charge.
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What if I have a vacation home on the moon and there is no water or drain service?
No problem. Fill the basin with a garden hose. To drain the basin turn the hose around and attach it to a male fitting in the plumbing that uses the fountain pump to divert the water to the garden.
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What effect will hard water and deposits have over time?
The composition of the water is not an issue with STONEWEAR products. In some cases it may be necessary to wash the composite stone with muriatic acid.
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What's a Splash Ratio and why should I care?
This is relevant to all fountains with falling water and is associated with the size of the center feature compared to the proposed basin dimensions. Actually it is something we made up to force an analysis of the splash potential - imagine the fun of discovering this after your fountain is installed. Specifically, the Splash Ratio is a simple fraction indicating the likelihood of falling water to splash outside the main basin. It can be summarized as, "Falling water will splash from the impact site in a radius at least as great as the distance it has fallen" (splash distance equals height of fall). A Splash Ratio of at least 1.5 is recommended EXAMPLE. The Splash Ratio is listed on the first page of all STONEWEAR Fountain drawings.
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How do I get an AutoCAD file of the fountain drawing?
Take time to visit our Create a Fountain page to download the appropriate file from the site - or you may order a CD from us which has the website plus other helpful information on it. The CD is a quick way to retrieve data.
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