Question:
I have just spent my summer digging a garden pond. It's kidney shaped
approx. size is 16x12 and approx 3 1/2 ft deep. Now I need a Liner.
What size and thickness do I need and where is the best place to order
from?
My goal is to line and fill before before winter, and build a waterfall
in the spring. Also, What is best method for protecting liner from
stones?
Answer:
You will need to have some liner lying over the edge of the pond and
probably have a first layer of flat concrete blocks over this before
folding the liner back towards the pond and then putting finishing
paving of some sort over that.
This means you need a liner that is 16+3.5+3.5+2+2 = 27 ft long by
12+3.5+3.5+2+2 = 23 ft wide. Don't skimp on these dimensions.
Assuming you plan to use 45 mil EPDM roofing liner, as most people
seem to do, you may need to join two pieces together. This must be
done on a firm flat surface such as a concrete driveway or a clean
garage floor. Overlap the two pieces 6". Fold the top piece back and
clean both mating surfaces with gasoline on a rag. When dry,
thoroughly wire brush the two surfaces until they are uniformly dull
black. Coat both pieces with good quality rubber cement and allow to
dry for 15 minutes. Then carefully bring the pieces together and roll
or mallet the join very thoroughly. Try to have the join where there
will be minimum stress on it, such as straight across the pond and not
folded into one of the corners.
If it fits in with your plans, cover the join with small gravel to
protect it.
Make sure the top edge of the pond, where the liner will come out over
the side first, is very level all the way around. Use a long board
and a spirit level, or a hose filled with water. After you have lined
the pond with old carpet or old underlay (use 4" nails to keep it in
place) lay in the liner with all the surplu spread out on the ground
around the pond evenly. Place 8x16x2" concrete blocks, or similar,
all the way around on top of the liner. Fold the liner back towards
the pond over the blocks. Place the top blocks or crazy paving or
whatever takes your fancy, over the liner above the first layer of
blocks. Now fill with water before you cut off the surplus liner
hanging over into the pond. You may need to adjust the position of
the blocks as the liner tightens up.
