Pond Liner: A Guide to Pond Relining
Need a pond liner replacement Look no further. Our experienced team specializes in pond liner replacement services to ensure your pond stays leak-free and functional. We offer reliable and efficient solutions for all types and sizes of ponds. With our expertise, you can rest assured that your pond will be restored to its optimal condition. Contact us today for top-notch pond liner replacement services in the UK.
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Pond Liner Repairs and Relining - Aqua Pond Ltd | Pond Maintenance POND LINER REPLACEMENT
A leaky pond looks unsightly and constantly topping up the water level on your pond can have a negative effect on the pond ecosystem and fish health. Water bills are also a consideration as constantly topping your pond will also have an effect on your water costs.
First the pond needs to be drained, the fish, wildlife and plants to be placed in aerated holding tanks, then de-silted and prepared. It has to be cleared of large stones, debris and tree roots and is compacted to give a firm, dry surface on which to lay the underlay and rubber liner.
Heavy duty underlay is installed to provide a puncture-resistant layer on which the rubber lining can be laid. The pond is then lined with rubber pond liners, which are preferred for their durability and flexibility, making them suitable for various pond shapes and sizes. These liners provide a snug fit, are resistant to sun exposure, and are easier to repair compared to other types, such as PVC.
Our liner change process
- Setup of a temporary tank (including oxygen aeration if required)
- Pond is then partially drained
- Fish and wildlife are carefully removed & stored in the temporary tank
- Pond is then completely drained and sludge is removed which can be messy job.
- We then remove old pond liner
- We either remove suraunding stone or slabs or if they are to heavy we’ll lift the rocks and push liner under
- Lay underlay then pond liner
- Pond re-filled
- Put stones or slabs back in place, we try to put back as we found the pond the best we can but some times this isn’t possable.
- Use expanding foam to secure stones if needed
- Treatments added-dechlorinator & blanket weed inhibitor
- The pond is then recommissioned
Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Pond Liner for Your Garden
Understanding Pond Liners
A pond liner is a waterproof sheet of fabric that is folded to fit the pond shape and creates a perfect base for the pond’s long life.
Pond liners come in many sizes, from small to large, and are made from different materials like HDPE, PVC, and EPDM.
Not all garden ponds have pond liner foundations; some rely on a plastic/carbon-fibre basin to retain pond water. Achieving a level surface at ground level is crucial for proper pond liner installation, as it ensures stability and prevents leaks.
Pond liners are a crucial component of pond construction, ensuring a stable and leak-free pond.
Quality pond liners are essential for maintaining a healthy and thriving garden pond ecosystem.
Determining Pond Size and Shape
Measure your pond’s width, length, and depth to calculate the size of liner you need.
Use a pond liner calculator tool to determine the right sized pond liner for your pond.
Consider the type of plants and features you want to include in your pond, such as marginal plants and waterfalls.
Think about the size and shape of your garden when choosing a pond liner.
Selecting the Right Pond Liner
Choose between PVC pond liner and rubber pond liners, depending on your pond’s size and features. Rubber pond liners are durable and flexible, making them suitable for various pond shapes and sizes. They provide a snug fit, are resistant to sun exposure, and are easier to repair compared to other types, such as PVC. PVC pond liner is best for small garden ponds without water features or waterfalls. Consider the ground conditions and choose a liner that can withstand them.
Pond Liner Installation
Dig a hole to the required shape, with sloping sides, and create planting areas for marginal plants. When installing a sunken pond, it is crucial to correctly outline and measure the pond’s dimensions before excavation.
Ensure the pool area is free from sharp stones and place underlay on the base and sides of the excavation. For sunken ponds, emphasize the importance of maintaining a level surface and planning for the backfilling process around the pond liner.
Position the liner in position, lightly anchoring it with bricks around the edge of the liner.
Run water into the pool gradually, pulling and tucking the liner into shape to ensure a neat finish.
Edging and Securing the Liner
Edge the pond liner properly around the pool to complete the finished look.
Use pond sealants, tapes, and glues to create a smooth and secure edge.
Decorative rocks can be used to keep the liner in place and cover it up.
Consider using a protective underlay to prevent accidental damage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid installing a pond liner in direct sunlight, as it can shorten the life expectancy of the liner.
Don’t forget to leave excess liner around the edges to ensure a secure fit.
Make sure to smooth out any wrinkles or creases in the liner during installation.
Avoid using old turves, as they will gradually rot away to leave less than solid support for the liner.
Maintenance and Repair
Regularly inspect your pond liner for signs of damage or wear.
Clean and maintain your pond’s water quality to prevent damage to the liner.
Consider adding a pond heater or other winterizing equipment to protect your pond.
Consult our guides for more information on pond care and maintenance.
Conclusion
Choosing the right pond liner is crucial for a successful and thriving garden pond.
Consider the size and shape of your pond, as well as the type of plants and features you want to include.
Follow proper installation and maintenance techniques to ensure a long-lasting and healthy pond ecosystem.
MY POND IS OVERGROWN.
If you have a small pool and the plants have not been managed for a number of years, you can simply cut them back or pull some of them out. You do have to be careful however as very often these pools have good water quality because the plants are absorbing the nutrients. The key thing then, is not to rip out too many of the plants because you can go from clear, relatively nice-looking water to something full of algae, simply because you have pulled too many of the plants out.
If you have a much bigger pond, a lake or a lochan then commonly some of the problems are with some of the very vigorous plants like bulrush or Norfolk reed and these need spraying off, and that is the best way to control them. Ideally you do not plant Typha (bulrush) or Norfolk reed in ornamental systems simply because they tend to take over completely. There is also a small-leafed lily called Nymphoides peltata which you have to avoid like the plague and these all need spraying in order to control them.
MY POND IS LEAKING – WHAT CAN I DO?
Probably the commonest problem that we get approached with is a pond that is leaking and there are various steps you can take to diagnose what’s going on
- If you have a pump and a stream or waterfall and the pond is going down, turn the pump off and the fill the pond up. If you do not get any water loss then, it means that the problem is either in the hose from the pump to the top of the water course, or in the water course, which is actually the commonest cause. If it is in the water course, put the pump back on and see if you can see anywhere where the water is actually leaking out the sides either over a liner or through concrete or whatever. Once you locate it, you can fix it.
- The other thing that can happen is simply debris accumulating in narrow points in the stream or cascade backing the water up behind it and it then flowing out the sides, and you lose water that way.
- Assuming you have not got a water course, or that the leak is not there, then the other obvious problem is a hole in the liner. Again, if you do not fill the pond up and let the pond drop, it will eventually drop to where the hole is, you can then find it and potentially patch it.
- One other cause of ponds going down is a liner that is behind stones or something, somebody stands on the stone, pushes the liner down and the water runs out over the top of a new low point and you end up with what looks like a leak. If you can locate that, just pull the liner back up and you will not have a leak any more
WHY IS MY POND WATER GREEN?
There may be a number of reasons why your pond is so green. First of all, you may have too small of a pump or filter for the size of your pond. Secondly, your pond may be in full sun which creates a perfect environment for algae blooms, or the pond is very shallow, particularly around the edges and doesn’t get much water circulation. You can remedy these things by first checking your pump and filter size for your pond. If it is in full sun, you will have to increase the size of the filter and pump to compensate for the increased algae blooms that will occur in full sun. If you recently made a water exchange or filled your pond within a few weeks, you may need to be patient as your pond hasn’t found it’s ecological balance yet. If it’s a brand new pond, I would recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks for your pond to find it’s balance. Hold off on any chemicals. Add some Microbe Lift which is all-natural beneficial bacteria and organic barley straw bales to your pond. This increases the function of your biological filter and combats algae blooms including string algae. Every pond should have them.
One point to note, is that you must be equipped with a large enough pump, filter and biological media for the beneficial bacteria to grow on and be patient and allow the pond to find it’s natural ecological system. You want to try to correct the problem instead of needing to add chemicals to it all the time. Another thing that could be adding to your algae blooms is the frequent addition of cold tap water to your pond. Whenever you add cold tap water to your pond and the pond is in the heat of full sun, it creates a great environment for algae to increase. Try to eliminate adding tap water to your pond and you just may reduce the algae. Every time you add tap water, your pond has to adjust and find it’s eco-balance. If you’re continually adding more water to your pond, your pond will never really balance itself and you’ll try to combat algae and ammonia levels all the time. In either of these situations, get at the root of the problem whether it’s the wrong pump or filter size or the addition of cold tap water and see if it doesn’t correct itself. If you’re having a problem with this and need some advise, contact us and we’ll be happy to assist you. If you need to add tap water, run the water through some Super Activated Filter Carbon to take out the chlorine and chloramine and add more beneficial bacteria to it afterwards.
Do I need to have my pumps running all the time?
Pumps give your pond water circulation. If they are the right size for your pond and are properly placed, they eliminate stagnant water and provide oxygen to your pond. If they are connected or pumped to a filter, you reduce the effectiveness of the filter if your pump is not on and may end up having unsightly water and elevated levels of ammonia providing you have fish. If you have multiple pumps, you most likely may not need to have all of them running as long as you have at least 1/2 the total gallons of your pond pumped every hour (there is a different formula for very large ponds – contact us and we will assist you in calculating proper aeration for your pond) for good water circulation. So, as long as you have good circulation and enough oxygen in your pond, you don’t necessarily need to have all of your pumps running all of the time.