Water Feature Repair in Exeter
Professional water feature repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£160
Typical Duration
1-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
We repair garden water features - sort pumps, fix leaks, unblock filters, clean and descale. Get your fountain, pond, or water feature working properly again.
When Water Features Stop Working
Water features are lovely until they stop working. Pump gives up, water level drops mysteriously, flow becomes a dribble, or it just won't start after winter. They sit there silent and green, looking sadder by the day.
Most problems are straightforward - blocked pumps, failed seals, perished tubing, airlocks, or just not being set up right to begin with. We diagnose the issue, fix it, clean everything up, and get water flowing again.
Common Problems We Fix
Pump issues: Not working, weak flow, noisy, keeps stopping. Often it's blocked with debris or limescale. Sometimes pumps just die and need replacing.
Leaks: Water level dropping faster than evaporation explains. Could be liner damage, failed joints in pipework, cracked reservoirs. We find and seal leaks.
Poor flow: Water barely moving, uneven distribution, weak effect. Usually pump undersized, blocked, or pipework badly designed.
Maintenance: Features full of leaves and sludge, pumps caked in limescale, filters blocked solid. Regular cleaning keeps them working.
💡 Pro tip: Run your water feature regularly, even in winter (unless freezing). Pumps that sit dormant for months often seize up and die.
| Done Right ✅ | Done Wrong ❌ |
|---|---|
| Diagnose properly before replacing parts | Just buy new pump, hope that fixes it |
| Clean and descale thoroughly | Quick rinse, back together |
| Check all connections and seals | Only look at obvious problem |
| Test properly before leaving | Turn on, assume it's fine |
| Advise on prevention | Fix it, walk away |
Why Choose Us for Water Feature Repair in Exeter?
Pump problems diagnosed and fixed
Leaks found and sealed
Cleaned and descaled
Advice on ongoing maintenance
What to Expect
1. Assessment We check what's wrong - test pump, check for leaks, examine pipework and connections, assess overall condition. Clear diagnosis of the problem.
2. Repair Work We fix or replace what's needed. Clean pump and filter, descale, repair or replace tubing, seal leaks, improve setup if needed. Takes 1-3 hours depending on complexity.
3. Testing & Advice Feature running properly, flow adjusted, cleaned up. We explain what was wrong, what we did, and how to maintain it. Recommendations for ongoing care.
🔧 DIY Tips
Tools You'll Need
- 🔧 Pump cleaning brush
- 🔧 Vinegar or descaler
- 🔧 Bucket
- 🔧 Replacement tubing if needed
- 🔧 Screwdriver
Steps
- 📐 Turn off and unplug pump (safety first)
- 📐 Remove pump and dismantle filter/cage
- 📐 Clean cage and impeller thoroughly
- 📐 Descale with vinegar (soak 30 mins)
- 📐 Check tubing for splits or blockages
- 📐 Reassemble and test before reinstalling
Common Mistakes
- ⚠️ Not unplugging before working on it - water and electricity don't mix
- ⚠️ Forcing stuck parts - you'll break them
- ⚠️ Not cleaning thoroughly - partially blocked pump struggles and dies sooner
- ⚠️ Refilling feature without testing pump first - have to empty it again
Pro Trick
💡 Devon's water is hard. Limescale kills pumps. Descale your pump every 3-6 months by soaking it in cheap white vinegar overnight. Extends pump life massively.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Combine with:
- Garden clearance (clear around feature)
- Patio cleaning (while we're there)
- Pond cleaning (if straightforward)
Related services:
- Outdoor lighting repair (often around features)
- Garden tap installation (for topping up)
- Decking repairs (features often built into decking)
Maintenance tips:
- Run feature regularly (at least weekly)
- Clean pump monthly in summer
- Descale every 3-6 months
- Top up water regularly (especially summer)
- Net leaves out before they sink
- Winterize properly if feature can freeze
Winterizing (if not frost-proof):
- Empty reservoir completely
- Clean everything thoroughly
- Remove and store pump inside
- Cover or protect from frost damage
- Clean properly before spring restart
When to call a specialist:
- Large koi ponds with complex filtration
- Features with valuable fish that need protecting
- Major reconstruction needed
- Water feature integrated with swimming pools
- Commercial or very large features
Prevention saves money:
- Regular cleaning (monthly) = £0
- Neglect for years = £100+ to sort out
- Replacing seized pump = £50-£150
- Descaling existing pump = £5 in vinegar
Common pump lifespans:
- Budget pumps: 1-2 years
- Mid-range: 3-5 years
- Quality pumps: 5-10 years
- All pumps: much longer with regular maintenance
Frequently Asked Questions
What water feature problems can you fix?
Most common issues - pumps that have stopped or are weak, leaks in liners or pipework, blocked filters, airlocks, algae problems, cracked reservoirs. We handle small to medium garden water features. Large ponds with complex filtration might need specialists.
Do I need to buy the parts?
We can source replacement pumps, tubing, or fittings. For simple fixes like cleaning or unblocking, we bring what's needed. For bigger repairs, we'll assess first and let you know what's required.
Can you make it work better?
Often yes. We can upgrade weak pumps, improve flow, add or improve filtration, reposition features for better effect. Sometimes features were set up poorly to start with - we can sort that.
Do you do pond maintenance?
Basic maintenance and repairs yes - cleaning, pump servicing, minor fixes. Full pond maintenance with fish and filtration systems needs specialist knowledge we don't have. We'll be honest if yours needs a pond expert.
Water Feature Repair Also Available In:
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
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