Pond Liners

Pond Liner is a material made usually of rubber that is used to line small ponds to prevent water leakage. Pond liners are a great way to keep your pond in shape without having to build wooden barriers. Save time with a pond liner and avoid using concrete to build your pond. A \'Liner Pond\' gives you total creative control over your pond design. You can make it as large or small as you wish, or make it curve around rocks, trees or other garden features.

It is also very easy to install. You simply dig away the earth where you want your pond or watercourse to go, and then line it with Moss Pond Liner material to retain the water.
Place some rocks and plants around it and it will transform your garden into a cool and calming environment.

Installing a Pond Liner

A step by step guide to creating a liner pond.

1. Decide on the position and size of the pond. Lay out a rope or hosepipe to indicate the outline; refer to the section on choosing the site.

2. Work out the size of the liner required. Measure the maximum length and the maximum width of the pond as you have it marked out. Decide how deep the pond is to be.

The length of the liner is:
Length (as measured) + 2 times depth + 2 feet (0.65 metre) (for edging).
The width of the liner is:
Width (as measured) + 2 times depth + 2 feet (0.65 metre) (for edging).

Liners are only available in rectangular shape. It is wise to dig the hole before purchasing the liner.

3. Using a spade, carefully cut within the rope marker and remove one spade\'s width of turf or topsoil around the outline of the pond. You will get a good impression of the final appearance of the pond at this stage, and it is easy to make any adjustments to the shape.

4. Prepare the area one foot wide around the perimeter of the pond outline for the liner overlap. If this is to be turfed over, the turf will need to be removed and left ready to lay back once the liner is in place. If paving stones are to be laid, excavate to the correct depth to accommodate the stones, allowing for mortar if the stones are to be cemented in place. Check with a board and spirit level to ensure that this perimeter is cut level all the way round.

5. Excavate the hole carefully. Turf should be removed with an inch of soil and stored for use elsewhere. Good topsoil should be used on the garden beds or stored for future use on the rockery. Subsoil, hardcore etc. will have to be disposed of, or used as the base for a rockery or waterfall. Mark out where the planting shelves are to be left and dig to this level, keeping the sides of the pond sloping in about 70. A wooden template is very helpful to check the angle and depth for shelves. Make sure the finished shelves are level by checking with a spirit level. Continue the 70 angle to the base of the pond. Check that the base is level and smooth. Remove any sharp stones.

6. It is wise to protect the liner from being punctured by sharp objects. Unless the hole has been dug in soft, stone-free soil, put in a layer of soft sand, about 2ins (5cm), to cushion the liner, or protect it with liner underlay.

7. Lay the liner in the hole loosely in position. Weight the sides with a few bricks etc. to keep it roughly in place.

8. Commence filling the pond slowly with a hosepipe. The weight of water will gradually stretch and fit the liner to the shape of the pond.

9. Once the liner has fully fitted itself into position and the pond is full, the excess liner at the sides can be trimmed round with scissors leaving an overlap of one foot all around to be overlaid by turf or paving.

Be careful not to allow wet cement to drop into or wash into the pond when carrying out paving or constructing a waterfall. Always use integral waterproofing liquid in the cement mix.

About The Author

Timothy Landford has been designing and building garden ponds for over 20 years. He is a garden pond enthusiast and has gained a wealth of experience since he started his hobby 20 years ago.

You can find out more about pond liners such as how to avoid the mistakes most people make when building their garden ponds and how to select the right pond liner from his following website click here