How do you build a pond liner?

How to Make a Pond Liner

  1. Place a garden hose or rope on the ground to outline where you plan to build the garden pond.
  2. Purchase EPDM sheeting in the size needed and the same amount of underlay material.
  3. Dig the pond, using a shovel.
  4. Lay the underlayment material in the pond.

What do you put under a pond liner?

To protect the liner from damage, place a 2- to 3-inch layer of sand or an underlayment over the soil before positioning the liner. Hide the liner, if desired, by placing a layer of river rocks over the bottom of the liner and stacking rocks to cover the sides.

What is the best way to line a pond?

Line the pond with confidence. The best to use is butyl rubber — the thicker the liner, the better. Use carpet padding, which is thick and contours nicely, underneath the liner to protect against pebbles.

Do I need underlayment for pond liner?

Pond Underlayment has only one job and that is to protect your pond liner. 45 mil Pond liner is very strong and puncture resistant but it does have its limits. Using a 6oz thickness of underlayment can improve the PUNTURE RESISTANCE of your pond liner by 400%. That’s over 20,000 pounds of water in your pond.

How deep should a 1/2 acre pond be?

As a side-note: If using it for swimming, a 1/2 acre pond should be more like 6-10 feet deep or more. You don’t want to touch bottom when the water is low in the middle of summer, or have weeds trailing up between your legs. You may fluctuate a few feet depending on available water, so aim for deeper.

How do I build a pond without a liner?

There are several options for constructing a new pond without a liner or cement shell. The easiest is to excavate the pond into the local water table and use the ground water. However, for this to work well you must live in an area with a fairly stable high water table.

Will tree roots grow through pond liner?

If you have seen sidewalks or even building foundations buckled and destroyed by the inexorable spread of tree roots, the answer here is fairly obvious: Yes, tree roots can and will eventually grow through your pond liner if given a chance.

What thickness pond liner is best?

When tree root penetration is a problem or there’s regular traffic in and out of the pond, liners 30 mils and thicker are recommended even for basic ponds. Even backyard ponds benefit from a 30 mil or greater liner to prevent rocks and roots from wearing holes in a thinner material.

How do you seal the bottom of a pond?

Spread a granular form of bentonite directly over the water. The granules will sink, and the force of the leaking water will draw the bentonite to the sites and seal them. Remove four to six inches of soil from the pond bottom and smooth with a roller.

Can you just dig a hole for a pond?

Depending on where the rock layer is found, the pond may need to be built completely or halfway above grade. The deeper you can dig, the better the pond will look. It’s tough to make a pond look natural when it’s sitting 18 inches above the surrounding soil. Once the pond is dug, you have two options.

Can you use a tarp as a pond underlayment?

Some cheap tarps are not fully waterproof when used in a pond. However, you can use a vinyl tarp as a pond liner. It is tear-resistant, UV protected, and waterproof. An underlay offers a cushion between your pond base and the liner, and is strong enough to keep sharp objects and tree roots from puncturing the tarp.

Does adding a pond increase property value?

Ponds provide recreational opportunities, increase property values. Many people enjoy living near a body of water. Lutz noted that studies have found that in rural areas, a well-managed pond can increase property values five to 15 percent. But just like your lawn, ponds require maintenance and prudent planning.