How To Repair A Leaking Pond Liner

Garden ponds are an excellent addition to any home, creating a beautiful landscape full of greenery and wildlife. Ensuring the water level stays roughly the same is essential for maintaining the pond’s ecosystem and keeping your fish healthy.

Most pond leaks occur due to a hole in the liner; however, they can be quite difficult to spot because the liner is underwater. There are a few different ways you can repair your pond liner if you suspect it is leaking. Thankfully, we’ve put them all in one place for you to try out for yourself.

Your pond water will reduce over time due to evaporation, but this will never cause a sudden decrease in water levels. If your pond water has noticeably decreased over a short period, there’s a good chance there’s a leak in your liner.

Table of contents

How to tell if you have a pond leak
What are other causes of water loss in a pond?
How to find a pond leak
How to repair your pond liner

How to tell if you have a pond leak

Recognising the signs of a leaking pond is essential to identifying the leak immediately. Several signs indicate your pond is leaking; however, water loss can be caused by other factors that do not always signal a leak. So, what are the signs of a pond leak?

Dropping water level

A drop in your water level is the most obvious sign that your pond has a leak. Ensure you frequently check your pond’s water level to determine whether it decreases over time.

Visible damage

Always check your pond for damage, such as cracks, holes, or dints, as these could cause a leak. If you notice any damage but your pond isn’t leaking, repair the damage before a leak can appear.

Waterlogged patches

Any wet or muddy patches caused by an accumulation of excess water could indicate that there is an ongoing leak. Any leaks should be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid further excess pools of water forming and causing damage to your garden.

What are other causes of water loss in a pond?

Water loss does not always indicate a pond leak. A range of factors can result in water leakage, so what factors should you be aware of when inspecting your pond for a leak?

Evaporation

Your pond will constantly lose water due to evaporation; however, the amount will differ depending on the temperature. Evaporation will cause approximately one inch of water loss per week, which may increase in warmer temperatures.

Low edges

If your pond is new, it may not have fully settled into place, meaning that small amounts of water could spill over the top and reduce the water level. Adding soil underneath the pond liner’s low section should help balance out the height and reduce water spillage.

Ornament construction

Adding rocks and waterfalls is a great way to enhance your pond’s aesthetic, but if they are not placed correctly, they can cause water to splash over the side. If this happens, play around with the placement of your pond ornaments to ensure that water splashes into the pond.

How to find a pond leak

Once you recognise that you have a pond leak, the next step is to find it. Finding the leak is essential to prevent excessive water loss, and there are several steps you can follow to ensure you find it.

1. The first step to finding the leak is to turn off the water pump for approximately 24 hours. If the water level still decreases during this period, you can determine whether the leak is in the pond liner.
2. If the leak is not in the pond liner, thoroughly inspect the plumbing and any waterfalls or streams connected to it.
3. For leaks in the pond liner, let the water drain until it stops at a stable level.
4. If the water level gets too low and threatens the fish and plants, you must relocate them temporarily.
5. Once the water level stabilises, clean away algae and closely inspect the pond liner for holes along the water line.
6. After finding the source of the water leak, you will need to repair it.

How To Repair Your Pond Liner

Pond leaks are often quite easy to repair, and Pond Planet offers various solutions to prolong your pond’s lifespan. Leaks often occur due to damage to the pond liner, so they can often be repaired with sealant or tape. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to replace your pond liner.

Repair tape

Pond repair tape is usually needed to attach several pond liners, which is incredibly useful if your current pond liner doesn’t cover the full area of your pond. Tape can be used as a quick fix for small holes or rips causing your liner to leak.

Pond repair kits

The most effective way to repair and prevent future pond leaks is by using a pond repair kit. Suitable for repairing small or medium-sized holes, pond repair kits include a repair patch and sealant, enabling you to seal the hole and prevent future leaks. Draining your pond just below the hole when using a repair kit is necessary to ensure that the liner is clean and dry when repairing.

When is it time to replace your pond liner?

Large pond liner tears aren't always easy to repair, so this may be a sign that it is time to replace the full liner. While fixing small holes or tears is easy and keeps your liner intact, large holes are too time-consuming and not cost-effective to repair. Replacing your pond liner will ensure that you get brand-new, high-quality protection for your pond. If you want a new pond liner and are unsure what size you need, we have a helpful pond liner calculator to help you work this out.

 

How To Protect Your Pond Liner

Hindsight is always a great thing! If you’ve found yourself tackling a leaking pond and you’ve been able to fix it, then you probably don’t want to have the same trouble for a long time. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your pond liner and stop any sneaky leaks.

Remove Sharp Debris

Tears and holes in pond liners are often caused by sharp debris that builds in the water. This can be anything from sharp rocks to small stones. Keeping on top of your pond maintenance and removing the waste quickly will reduce the chances the debris has to cause damage to your pond liner.

Use Pond Underlay

A layer of protective pond underlay creates an effective wall between the soil and your pond liner. This wall stops roots, stones and rocks from coming into contact with the liner over time, as well as any other hard surfaces from damaging the liner material, all whilst providing extra padding and protection to the lining of your pond.

Explore our full range of pond liner and underlay that, when looked after well, is guaranteed to build a pond that is made to last.

Create a stunning pond with Pond Planet

A pond is a great way to add magnificent scenery to your garden full of wildlife. By following this guide, you should be able to identify any leaks in your pond liner and repair them effectively. Why not add beautiful pond waterfalls or stunning water lilies to create a stunning garden landscape?

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