How to Winterize an Outdoor Fountain (Step-by-Step)

Water expands about 9% when it freezes. Trapped in a basin, a pump housing or the pores of concrete, that expansion is enough to crack a $3,000 fountain in a single cold night. Winterizing takes about an hour and is the single most important thing you will do for your fountain all year. Here is how.

When to winterize

Do it before the first hard freeze—when overnight lows are forecast to drop below about 28°F. In USDA Zones 6 and colder that is usually mid-October to early November; in Zones 7–8, sometime in December. Zone 9 and warmer can often skip full winterization (see "Running a fountain in winter" below).

Step 1: Unplug and drain

Unplug the pump at the GFCI outlet. Drain every bowl and the basin. Most tiered fountains have a drain plug at the bottom of the reservoir; if not, use a small submersible utility pump or a wet/dry vacuum. Tip smaller bowls to empty them fully.

Step 2: Clean while it's empty

Scrub algae and mineral scale now rather than in spring when it has hardened. Use a soft brush and a fountain-safe cleaner or a 1:1 vinegar-water solution for scale on stone; avoid bleach and pressure washers on cast stone. Rinse and drain again.

Step 3: Remove the pump

Pull the pump, rinse the intake screen and impeller, and store it indoors in a bucket of water (or a sealed bag with a damp cloth). Seals and gaskets that dry out over winter are the most common reason a pump fails on the first spring start-up. Store LED light modules and transformers indoors too.

Step 4: Dry everything completely

Leave the fountain open for a dry day or two, or towel it out. Concrete and cast stone are porous and hold water in the surface; a dry stone freezes safely, a wet one spalls. Pay attention to tubing runs inside the fountain—blow them out or let them drain.

Step 5: Fill or block the basin

An empty basin still collects rain and snowmelt, which then freezes. Either fill the basin with burlap sacks, old towels or a rolled foam pad to absorb moisture and give ice room to expand, or make sure the cover (next step) is fully waterproof.

Step 6: Cover it

Use a fitted, waterproof but breathable fountain cover. Tarps trap condensation and flap in wind. Pull the cover snug and secure it with the built-in drawstring or bungee cords. For wall fountains, cover the basin and spout area at minimum.

Step 7: Move it if you can

Resin, fiberglass and small ceramic fountains should go into a garage or shed. LED wall fountains under about 50 lb, such as the Adagio Calming Waters series, can be unmounted and stored indoors—or run indoors as a winter feature. Cast stone pieces stay put; they are built for it as long as they are dry and covered.

Material-specific notes

• Cast stone / concrete: most freeze-tolerant when dry. Never leave standing water. Seal every 2–3 years with a breathable masonry sealer.
• GFRC: same as cast stone; lighter, so make sure the cover is well anchored.
• Slate and natural stone panels: drain the trough; wipe the panel dry. Do not let water sit in the trough where it can freeze against the panel.
• Copper and stainless: freeze-safe if empty; store the pump indoors.
• Resin / fiberglass: becomes brittle in cold—store indoors.
• Ceramic and glazed: bring indoors. Glaze cracks easily.

Can you run a fountain in winter?

In climates where nights rarely dip below the mid-20s (Zones 8b–11), yes—with care:

• Keep the pump running 24/7. Moving water resists freezing; still water does not.
• Keep the basin topped up so the pump never runs dry.
• Add a small floating de-icer (the kind used for bird baths and stock tanks) for cold snaps.
• Have a cover ready for a forecast below about 25°F—drain and cover for the duration.

In colder zones, the ice sculpture may look pretty for a week, but the repair bill will not.

Spring start-up checklist

1. Remove the cover and fill material; inspect for cracks.
2. Rinse the basin and reinstall the pump, tubing and lights.
3. Fill with water to the recommended level and check that the pump is fully submerged before plugging in.
4. Run for an hour and check flow; adjust the pump valve so no bowl overflows.
5. Add a fountain-safe algaecide and set a reminder to top off weekly.

Need a replacement pump or cover?

Blue Sky Yard's outdoor fountains from Giannini Garden and Adagio are built for four-season climates when winterized properly. If you need help identifying the right pump or cover for your model, call (888) 835-6051. For choosing a new fountain, see How to Choose an Outdoor Fountain.