Summer is now in full swing, and that means outdoor BBQ’s and quality time spent down by the pond. No matter if you’re an HOA, golf course, or lucky homeowner, a pond adds value and allows nature to flourish for all to see and enjoy.
Most ponds are man-made, and that means that they require constant maintenance to prevent Mother Nature from continually trying to reclaim the land and turn it into a swamp. There’s no better time than now to perform some essential pond maintenance to help ensure it will flourish even during the hottest dog days of summer.
We’re going to show you our five favorite summertime pond maintenance tips that you can perform to help ensure the longevity and beauty of your pond.
- Water Testing your Pond
The wet and breezy weather in the springtime allowed tree pollen, leaves, and other natural organic debris to enter into the water. As the weeks went by and spring turned into summer, these additional organic elements started to break down, release harmful nutrients, and could have disrupted the natural chemical balance of the water.For example, if you have fish or certain types of water plants, they may require a specific pH balance so that they don’t get stressed out and become ill or die. Research the kind of wildlife you have living in and around your pond and then buy a testing kit online or in-store. If you find that your water is too hard, too soft, or has undesirable chemical imbalances, you can purchase remedies that will help alleviate the problem.
- Equipment Maintenance for your Pond
The summertime is also the best time to perform some routine maintenance on your filters, pumps, and any mechanical equipment used in your pond. The springtime rains are now over, and your filters are probably choking with sediment and other organic debris.Look for areas of blockage in pipes and tubes and place an order for a replacement one as soon as possible. If you wait until the fall time, there might be a few weeks to a few months lead time before a company can ship the part out to you. Nobody wants to wade into a freezing pond in the middle of winter to make repairs.
- Plant Maintenance in your Pond
While most pond plants are pretty low-maintenance and hands-off, some will require a bit of help. For example, a nuisance insect called a lily beetle can start attacking your water lilies. They will lay eggs, and then their larvae will begin to eat the leaves for food. The leaves will quickly turn brown and die off, leaving an unsightly patchwork of brown and green lilies.The organic solution to fixing this problem is to prune your lilies regularly. Look for any signs of brown discoloration and remove them as quickly as possible. This is an ongoing battle with nature and could require several pruning sessions over a few weeks or a few months. Stay committed to the cause, and you’ll eventually win this tug-of-war with the insect world.
- Algae Breakouts
No matter where in the U.S. that you live, the rays from the summertime sun are hot and unrelenting. They can beat down on your pond, warm the water, and cause an unsightly and sometimes smelly nuisance algae outbreak. Not only can it turn your pond into a pea soup green color, but it can also suck up the oxygen and kill all of the fish and plant life.While there are chemical treatments on the market to help combat algae outbreaks, they won’t fix the actual source of the problem. Besides, who really wants to dump a bunch of pond chemicals with weird-sounding names into the backyard water that people play in and enjoy?
The best way to combat a nuisance algae outbreak is to call in the professionals such as American Underwater Services. We can help dredge your HOA, golf course, or backyard pond no matter how big or how small it is. We’ll remove the organic sediment at the bottom of your pond that’s responsible for feeding the algae outbreak.
We’ll leave you with crystal-clear water and a clean pond that everyone will enjoy!
- Pond Dredging Services
At American Underwater Services, we have over 20 years of dredging HOA, golf course, and backyard ponds. Our expert workers will come out to your job site and give you a professional evaluation and estimate of the scope of work that needs to be done.No pond is too big or too small for our custom dredgers. If you would like to learn more about our pond dredging and maintenance services, give us a call at (817) 377-8512, and one of our friendly dredging experts will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
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