How to Fix a Clogged Fountain

Disconnect the fountain from the power source.

Check the pump strainer or screen. This is where most fountains get clogged. Outdoor fountains often get clogged by leaves, dirt, debris or silt. Indoor fountains can be clogged by hard water deposits that are often invisible to the eye. Follow the instructions for your individual pump and remove it from the fountain to clean it. If you do not have your instruction booklet, pumps are usually easy to remove and reassemble.

Remove the pump for cleaning if your fountain is small. It will need to be pulled or popped off from the motor armature. It will come off in one piece.

Rinse the pump, no matter what size fountain you have, with distilled water several times. Do not use tap water, bottled water, spring water or any other type of water except for distilled water. Distilled water will not build hard water deposits in the pump.

Dip the pump in a mild bleach and distilled water solution. Rinse the pump with distilled water.

Scrub the pump with a toothbrush or a mild scrubbing brush using soap made from natural materials. Rinse completely with distilled water.

Clean the bowl and the motor shaft with organic soap and rinse with distilled water.

Fill the fountain with distilled water once you have placed all parts back together. Reconnect the fountain to the power source and turn it on. Give the fountain time to run water through the motor and the pump before it begins. After cleaning, a fountain may take a few minutes before it runs smoothly again. If it does not run, let it sit in the distilled water a couple of hours and turn it on again.