So, you’ve taken the plunge and decided to finally install that pond.
Congratulations – ponds are classic, beautiful decor items that can transform any home or office. You’ve chosen well.
Before you can build anything, though, you’re going to have to give careful consideration to pond liners.
Versatile, waterproof and completely necessary, these fitted plastic sheets help to keep the water in your pond where it needs to be: in your pond.
Join us, today, as we take a closer look at how to choose, install, repair and grade your pond liner, and how you can use technology to make your pond better.
Table of Contents
What Are They?
Creating a pond in your garden or workplace isn’t as simple as just digging a hole and filling it with water. There’s seepage to consider, which is not only a waste of the water you’ve used but also runs the risk of damaging your surrounding garden and plant life.
What you need is a sealant solution. Something that keeps the water where it should be – in your pond.
Liners are a practical solution to this problem and have been around for a long time. The basic idea is that large rubber sheets are fitted into the bottom of a pond before it’s filled up with water. Rocks, soil, plant life and other coverings are filled in over the plastic, and then the water is added.
As you might expect, the liner acts as a physical barrier to keep the water in your pond. Like we said: a practical solution.
Now, we understand no two ponds are ever the same shape or size. Depending on your tastes, your pond might be anything from a huge oval to a smaller, very intricate recreation of a Tetris level.
So, doesn’t that mean each liner will need to be specially cut to size so that it fits into your pond? Luckily, not. With the help of selective pleating and folding, sheets of different sizes can be worked into shape for use at the bottom of ponds.
Regardless of the layout of your pond, there’s a liner solution out there that suits your unique needs.
A Short Note On Underlayments
Underlayments are plastic or rubber sheets, which form a barrier between your liner and rocks, roots or stones, which might puncture it.
This thick protective barrier goes between the liner and the floor of your pond. While the liner keeps water inside the pond, the underlayment works to protect it from friction and punctures.
How Long Do Liners Last?
A pond’s underlying liner is typically made from a high-grade, heavy plastic that is extremely malleable.
Using very specific methods, each liner is pushed into place, filling out all the corners, crevices, and edges that make up the shape of your pond. Once they’re in, they’re covered up, and you can forget they’re even there.
Owing to each liner’s durability, these are long-term solutions that don’t require much maintenance.
Sheets are typically guaranteed against degradation from the sun. This is important, obviously, given that they’ll be outside for their entire life.
Additionally, you will want to make sure that the liner is protected during the winter, particularly if your pond usually freezes over, which not only causes potential damage to the liner, due to it freezing and cracking, but it can also negatively affect the fish through the build-up of certain gases in the water. Therefore, to combat this, you may want to consider using a pond heater.
Liner’s are also designed with an emphasis on elasticity meaning you can walk on them.
This is more important than you might think. In cases where homeowners have pets in their gardens, these liners withstand the weight of their paws and punctures from their claws.
It also means you’ll be able to get into and out of your pond when doing repairs, without running the risk of springing a leak.
But the big question: how long will it last?
Most pond owners enjoy a roughly fifty-year lifespan from their liners, at the very least. With proper care, and barring any major accidents, you could enjoy a lifetime of use from your pond liners.
What Size Liner Should You Get?
As we’ve mentioned, liners are typically folded and pleated into shape, according to the specifications of your pond.
However, there are a few important measurements it helps to keep in mind. Additionally, we’ve got a fantastic buyer’s guide on the best pond liners to choose from, which includes information on sizing suggestions.
You’ll need roughly six inches worth of overhang from your sheet, hanging outside the bounds of your pond.
Then you’ll need lining to fit the x, y, and z dimensions of your pond. Enough to cover the surface area of the bottom (length and breadth) and to canvas the walls of your pond (its depth).
Because underlayment doesn’t need catch water like a liner does, you won’t have to worry as much about getting the measurements right. It’s just there to protect the lining you’re using from scratches and punctures.
When using an underlayment, use separate pieces of underlayment, overlaid, to match your liner’s size. Patching up the surface area of your pond in this way gives you effective coverage, without having to worry too much about measurements.
How To Repair Your Liner
Of course, from time to time, you may discover a leak in your pond lining that needs repairing.
Underwater patch kits are widely available and make for a perfect repair tool for your pond liner. Your kit may vary, but in general, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- Clean off the area you’ll be repairing with a clean cloth.
- Use sandpaper to file down the area you’ll be repairing.
- Cut your patch material roughly two inches larger than the hole.
- Use a piece of wax paper two inches wide in diameter than that, and set the patch on that.
- Mix and spread the epoxy glue on the liner patch side and push it onto the hole immediately.
- Pull back the wax paper once the glue’s set.
In Conclusion
A pond makes a whimsical addition to any garden or park.
In order to make sure your pond doesn’t leak out into the surrounding yard, though, you’re going to need to install a liner when you build it. Whether it’s the size of liner you’ll need, how to repair a puncture, or how to use an underlayment, there’s a lot to know about liners. We hope you’ve learned something with us, today.
Interested in getting more out of your pond? Check out our solar pond pump range, and put the power back into your pond.