If the dream of a garden pond finally comes true, you first have to think about the pond liner. Because there is a lot to consider in this regard.
For many people, their own garden is a true oasis of calm. This is where people withdraw after work and at the weekend to escape the stress of everyday life. Many can only really switch off when they do gardening. The garden design is an important factor in whether you really feel comfortable in the countryside. A private pond in the garden is particularly idyllic. Regardless of whether you opt for a small biotope with lovely water lilies and other aquatic plants as well as goldfish and frogs, or whether you want to go swimming in the small lake in your own garden, there are a few points that are important to consider when creating the body of water. After all, only a perfectly sealed pond will bring years of joy.
Why do you need a pond liner?
A pond liner is a very special liner that is used to cover garden biotopes. These models are also used for bathing and some fish ponds. In order to cover a small or larger body of water, however, you should not just order any tarpaulin or buy it from a garden store. Very special requirements are placed on the pond liner.
Other tarpaulins are made to protect furniture, car tires or other outdoor items such as bicycles from the elements. They have to endure rain, snow and cold. However, since it does not rain every day, splash protection is also very important for these models, but a pond liner is in the water day in and day out and must be absolutely tight. The foil forms a protective layer between the water and the subsoil beneath the pond. If you cover the bottom of the body of water with high-quality models such as tarpaulin fabrics fromPlanenlager.de, you can be sure of excellent quality.
What properties must a pond liner have?
Even at the planning stage, every pond builder should deal with the topic of liners. Anyone who takes a look at the Internet will discover that there are many different designs,strengths and materials, all designed to serve the same purpose. But which criteria should you pay particular attention to? Especially on:
- Total water resistance
- Flexibility - the film must adapt to the nature of the ground
- Frost-proof - no cracks should appear, even in extreme cold
- Tolerance for plants and animals
It is best to compare different products and pay close attention to the manufacturer's information. In any case, it is worth investing a little more money in the pond liner. If you buy a cheap model, you risk that the film will leak after a few months. Then there's major remodeling: the plants and animals have to be removed from the body of water, the water drained, and you basically have to start building almost all over again.
What materials are used?
❍ PVC pond liner:
The material you choose not only depends on your budget, but also on the nature of the substrate. A PVC pond liner is usually offered as a standard variant. Models in these materials are available in different colors, including green, black or blue. To adapt the foil to the size of the pond, use hot air or a foil adhesive such as Stabilo solvent welding agent. This is used to simply attach several strips of PVC pond liner to one another.
❍ PE pond liner:
PE pond liners made of polyethylene are an alternative. Due to their very good elasticity, they are very well suited for large bodies of water. Polyethylene is also lighter than PVC, making it easier to transport and lay. If you are thinking about environmental protection when choosing the pond liner, you are also better off with a PE liner because no plasticizers are used during production. For this reason, however, PE is also stiffer than PVC and adapts relatively poorly to unevenness at the bottom of the pond. Since PE films are resistant to chemicals, they are even used in sewage treatment plants.
❍ EPDM foils:
There are also EPDM films made of synthetic rubber, which score with a particularly long service life. The advantage of a PVC film is that holes can be repaired relatively easily. To do this, you patch the torn area with a piece of new pond liner, which you attach with a permanently elastic power adhesive. However, to patch tears in a rubber pond liner, you need a special component adhesive.
What preliminary work is necessary before laying?
OneDig a pit, put the liner in, fill with water and the pond is ready? Creating your own garden pond is not that easy. After all, you want to be able to enjoy the small body of water in your own oasis in the countryside for a long time. It is therefore advisable to take your time for the creation of the biotope and to observe the following points:
- Remove roots, sharp stones and bumps after digging the pit
- apply a layer of sand to the bottom of the pond to level out any unevenness
- provide additional protection with fleece
- pay attention to the temperature: in cool weather below 15 degrees, PVC films are less flexible, in any weather, EPDM films can be adjusted, which remain unchanged down to -40 degrees
There is no need to rush when creating a pond. You mustn't forget what a heavy load the water exerts on the underbody. Thorough cleaning and preparation of the pit protects against damage to the foil.
What do you have to consider when buying pond liner?
The easiest way is to lay a foil from a single piece that fits exactly into the pit. This is relatively easy to do for smaller ponds. It is important to determine the correct dimensions before purchasing. The following formulas are useful for this:
❍ For the width:
Multiply the width of the pond by twice the pond depth and add about one meter for the edge zone.
❍ For the length:
Again, multiply the length of the pond by twice the depth. Here, too, 100 centimeters should be planned as a buffer.
If you want to be on the safe side, you can also calculate the correct pond liner size online at www.blitzrechner.de. With these size specifications, you can then obtain various foils from the garden center that were developed for ponds. The numerous online shops that specialize in garden products and sometimes even in ponds and biotopes offer even more choice. Here you can order foils in different thicknesses and made of different materials. Although you cannot convince yourself of the quality of the products with your own eyes, the descriptions from most suppliers are so precise that you can get a good overview.
Most online stores allow you to select the length and width you want. However, as with any online shop, you should find out about the shipping costs before sending the order. Finally, the pond liner homedelivered and there is usually an extra charge for this. Especially if you order a large film, it can be a heavy package. So it's definitely worth comparing not only the item prices, but also the shipping costs. It is also important to find out about the return conditions before ordering if the film does not meet your expectations or is even defective.
Tips for laying the pond liner
❶ Cut pond liner to size when dry:
You save a lot of time if you cut the film to the right size while it is dry. Of course, it is important to determine the exact size beforehand.
❷ Plan connections in good time:
Even during the planning process for the pond, it is important to consider where the connections for the bottom drain and the pump will later be located.
❸ Lay the pond fleece under the pond liner:
Before you lay the foil in the excavated pit, you must lay a pond fleece and attach it to the bank of the water with stones or sand. The fleece then ensures an even surface and protects the film from stones and other bumps. While the film is being rolled out in the next step, the fleece should not slip.
❹ Check the pond liner for leaks:
After the work is done, you should not fill the pond completely with water, but only partially. This is how you check whether the film is really waterproof. If no water comes out, you can finish filling the garden pond. Now it's time to design with aquatic plants.