How To Install a Pond Liner

Pond building is traditionally something that most people find intimidating, and thus is best left in the hands of professional landscapers and builders. However, you will find that with the right tools and the proper instruction, garden ponds, pond fountains, and other water-based home installations can be a do-it-yourself project that you can enjoy and take part in. The first, and one of the most important steps in any pond construction project is the installation of a pond liner at the bottom of the pond. A pond liner is a flexible material usually made of black polymeric material, which can be bought in sheet form, for easy size customization. There are four different types of material commonly used for pond liner: EPDM rubber, Butyl rubber, PVC, and polyethylene. These can come in roll form, where the hardware store cuts out the sheets depending on your requirements, or in pre-packaged form, where the sheets are pre-cut in the most common pond sizes for easy purchasing. If you are looking at the pre-packaged liners, the most common sizes are as follows:

• 13.1'x13.1'
• 16.3'x13.1'
• 19.7'x19.7'
• 19.7'x26.2'
• 9.8'x13.1'

Choose the size that works best for you. Outlined below are the basic steps for installing a pond liner:

• Before You Begin. Before you dig the hole, make sure that you have a clear idea of what you want to build. Basic, round ponds are the easiest to install, and thus it’s best to keep to simple shapes. If you are planning to install a fountain, make sure that you make provisions for it when you dig the hole. Make sure that the hole is at least 2 feet deep, for your basic pond; 4 feet deep will usually suffice for a larger pond. After digging out the soil, place a layer of damp sand to cover the bottom of the excavated hole.
• Additional Protection. Line the bottom of the hole with some underlay, or if you are saving on costs, with a nice layer of wet newspapers. This additional layer covers up the rock foundation, and provides further protection for your pond liner.
• Making Measurements. Measure out your pond liner properly. The following formulas should make it easier for you to avoid mistakes in measurement:
  • Width Required = maximum width of the pond + depth of the pond + depth of the pond + 24 additional inches on both sides, for the edges
  • Length Required = maximum length of pond + depth of the pond + depth of the pond again + 24 additional inches on both sides, for the edges
• Cutting The Pond Liner. Cut out the pond liner according to the measurements, which you have computed.
• Liner Placement. Smooth out the liner onto the bottom of the pond. Make sure that it follows the shape of your hole as closely as possible, for maximum effectiveness.
• Filling It In. Line the edges of the liner with rocks around the edge, to keep the liner in place as you fill the pond with water.

If you follow the instructions above, lining your own do-it-yourself pond should not be a problem. Just be sure to choose the proper type of lining for the project that you have in mind.