All Giannini Garden Ornaments should be handled with care. Keep the water level in your fountain filled to the rim, or your fountain could crack. Do not fill your fountain with cold water when the fountain is hot to the touch. Cold water in a hot fountain can shock the concrete and make it crack. Fill your fountain bowls in the early morning or in the evening when your fountain has cooled down. Never let your fountain run dry or your pump will be ruined. During the winter months, protect your fountain from harsh or freezing weather by draining the fountain and covering it with a weather proof tarp, or dismantle it and store it indoors. This will also protect your fountain from cracks. Keep your bowls clear of leaves and debris so that the water pump does not get clogged. Cleaning the filter of the water pump often keeps the pump working longer. If the fountain develops algae or build up, drain the water from the fountain and with a brush scrub off and rinse the build up from the surface. Try not to scrub too hard or vigorously, and do not use bleach. Doing so may cause the finish to come off. To prevent algae build up, use an algae reducer solution, such as Fountec, to reduce any build up.