Its functionality and survivability, however, depend only on one critical, yet intangible, element: the pond liner. With so many to pick from, it is worthwhile to know the advantages and disadvantages of each one for an informed decision that will benefit your garden pond for years to come.
EPDM: The Industry Benchmark for Versatility
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) rubber liners are the best-selling and first option most widely accepted best-seller for flexible pond liners. This makes EPDM extremely easy to install, capable of easily adapting itself around intricate pond shapes, shelves, and contours without rigid wrinkles or creases. Some of the most well-known brands, like Firestone Pond Liner, create top-quality EPDM products, testifying to its great reputation in business.
RPE: Light Weight Strength for Big Projects
Reinforced Polyethylene (RPE) pond liners provide a great alternative, especially for larger or more complex pond projects. Although usually lighter than EPDM, RPE gains greater strength and puncture resistance from an inherent woven scrim reinforcement. RPE is thus highly tear and puncture resistant when caused by sharp objects, a massive selling point for rocky surfaces or in commercial applications. RPE is far lighter than EPDM and even lighter to ship and install on large ponds. RPE possesses good sun resistance in the form of UV and is also fish safe. Though not as manipulable as EPDM in highly complex curves, its superior resilience and ease of handling in bulk sizes make it an ideal choice in situations where handiness and toughness are the top concerns. Companies such as Singhal Geotextile Landscape prefer using reinforced materials of this nature.
PVC: The Economical Entry Point
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pond liners are the cheaper alternative, usually suitable for those designing smaller, uncomplicated water features or that have a budget to stick to. PVC liners have very little weight and, although more difficult to work with than EPDM liners, quite straightforward to maneuver around when installing them, so can be used by DIYers. The largest disadvantage of standard PVC, however, is that it degrades due to UV light over a period of time. Although some of the newer PVC liners are constructed with UV inhibitors to extend their lifespan, their life expectancy is usually less than RPE or EPDM, at approximately 10-15 years. For a temporary arrangement or a non-fish pond, PVC could work, but for a durable, long-term garden pond, it may require earlier replacement.
Special Considerations: Color and Specialized Uses
Most pond liners are black, and this serves to create a natural, dark look and inhibit algae growth by keeping light absorbed. Other colors do exist, however This is largely a cosmetic choice. For particular applications, like a farmers market pond liner replacement, where heavy foot traffic or frequent cleaning is likely, a very durable and easy-to-clean product like a heavy EPDM or RPE would be most important. Such commercial uses require more resistance than a typical residential back yard ornamental pond.
Underlayment: The Unsung Hero
No matter which liner material you use, the role of a good underlayment cannot be overemphasized. The geotextile fabric protects your pond and ground liner from penetration by embedded sharp objects in the ground, settling damage from the ground, and uneven water pressure distribution. A good underlayment is money well spent, which can greatly add years to the life of your pond liner as an inexpensive means of insurance against leaks.
Installation Best Practices
Correct installation is as important as picking the correct liner. Start by digging your pond down thoroughly, taking away all of the sharp junk, roots, and debris. The surface must be flat everywhere. Roll out the underlayment, overlapping it completely. Next, gently place the liner over the pond hole with lots of overlap on the edges. Progressively fill the pond and the water weight will push the liner into place as you iron out major wrinkles. Once full, let the liner settle for a day or two before trimming off the excess, leaving sufficient to be buried or covered over with coping stones so it won’t be exposed to the sun.
Maintenance for Longevity
Even the highest-quality pond liner needs a little regular upkeep to guarantee its long life. Check for obvious areas of liner regularly for wear or damage. Keep the pond free of excess trash and sharp things that could puncture the liner. In the unlikely event that a minor repair will be needed, there are specialized patch kits made for each liner material. By adopting these simple practices, your chosen pond liner will provide decades of maintenance-free service.
Conclusion
The process of building a lovely and durable garden pond starts with the correct liner Landscape, or savings in PVC, you will be in an educated position. Be mindful that whereas a Blue pond liner may enable another look, the properties of the base material for the safety of fish and reliability become the best priority.
FAQ
Q: How can I tell if I need to get a new pond liner or just patch my existing one?
A: If you only have a few small punctures, or small leaks, it is usually possible to apply a product designed to be compatible with the liner (that is, EPDM repair kits for EPDM liners) to repair the liner. However, if the liner has substantial degradation (for example and not limited to brittleness, many small cracks, many large tears, etc…) especially if you have a much older damaged UV, you might prefer PVC liner is going to be the safest long-term choice. If you have continual, untraceable water loss from your liner, that may also indicate an entire systemic failure that requires a replacement.
Q: Does liner color impact algae growth in a pond?
A: Yes, liner color may impact algae growth but just a very tiny amount. Black pond liner material is used a lot, as black will absorb sunlight and perhaps limits the reflection of light across the water. Limiting some algae growth.
