Together with the sound of falling water and the sparkle of reflected sunlight, ornamental fountains may add sense of elegance to the landscape. They can exude tranquility when working properly, but as with any water-holding vessel, a leak leaves a sinking feeling as the water drains off. Pre-formed plastic fountains are hard and seldom leak, but there is a quick fix if they do develop a crack.
Unplug the fountain heater and drain any remaining water in the fountain.
Inspect the surfaces to get escapes. Welding seams — the ridge-like protrusions in the surface of the plastic — would be the most likely places for cracks to happen.
Clean the area around the leak using dish soap and then rinse thoroughly.
Dry the area with a towel and then use a hair dryer to evaporate any water that could be between the cracked pieces of plastic. If it’s possible to get another side of the plastic surface, then dry it in this side also.
Squeeze a bead of silicone caulk over the field of the leak and then push it in the crack using a utility knife. Catch the silicone to cure for the period specified on the product label.
Fill the fountain with water following the caulk has cured and plug in the pump.