Before you start
Cleaning a waterfall keeps it beautiful and prevents the build-up of algae, debris and mineral deposits. Here is a simple routine that works for a stand-alone waterfall or a garden pond waterfall.
Tools you will need
Tick each item as you gather it
Recommended product
Multi-Clean
Spot treatment that lifts algae, debris and mineral build-up on contact.
Step 1. Turn it off
Switch off the pump
Switch off the pump or water flow first. This makes cleaning safer and easier and prevents mishaps.
Step 2. Remove debris
Lift out the loose stuff
Use a pond net or pond shark to lift out leaves, twigs and large debris from each fall, the basin or pond, and the rocks. Dispose of it properly.
Step 3. Brush the rocks
Gentle bristles only
Use a gentle brush, even a paintbrush, to clean the rocks and surfaces. Avoid stiff bristles that can damage thin spill stones. Apply Multi-Clean over wet algae, brush it in, and watch it dissolve.
Step 4. Rinse it down
Top to bottom
Wait for the pump to come back on or use a hose with a spray nozzle. Start at the top and work down to flush loose dirt and debris.
Step 5. Clean the basin
An annual deep clean
Once a year, empty the basin. For a stand-alone feature you can dump it all; for a pond, save the water if you wish. Remove debris with a bucket or pond vac, then scrub with a brush and water. Use Multi-Clean for stubborn stains or mineral deposits, then rinse thoroughly.
Step 6. Check the pump and filters
Service the workhorse
Inspect the pump and filters. Keep filter media moist and out of wind and sun. Clean or replace media if needed. To service the pump, run it in a bucket of water with the right amount of Multi-Clean (wear gloves if mixing by hand); use Multi-Clean as a paste for tough spots.
The beneficial bacteria living in the media do the biological filtration. Letting media dry out in sun or wind kills that colony and forces the pond to re-cycle, which is when green water and algae blooms reappear.
Step 7. Restart
Bring it back to life
Once everything is clean and working, switch the pump back on. If you used Multi-Clean, it is fine for residue to wash into the basin or pond. You can vacuum debris if you prefer, but there is no need to worry about it.
Watch Mark do it
Prefer to watch rather than read? Mark walks through the whole routine on a real waterfall, start to finish.