How do I know if my pond liner has a leak?

How do I know if my pond liner has a leak?

A pond liner is designed to hold water for at least twenty years. The most common reasons for losing water is that there are holes due to rodent damage, invasive plant roots, a low edge where water gets behind the liner, or the liner is not properly sealed at the skimmer or biofalls.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to identifying the source of a leaky pond liner.

1. Holes due to rodent damage. Several native animals to Memphis and west TN can cause holes in the liner. These include chipmunks, voles, muskrats, and mice. Animals that commonly burrow underground often form tunnels near the edge of ponds. Older ponds with stacked field stone are a prime habitat for animals like chipmunks for tunnel-making. Try using large spherical stones to discourage animals from chewing the liner.
2. Invasive plant roots. Trees like birch, willows, and elm have shallower roots and will naturally grow towards moist, damp soil. Often this can lead to roots displacing stone, underlayment, and liner causing the water level to lower and leak behind. Also, plant roots can push the liner away from a biofalls or skimmer causing water loss and damage to pumps and other equipment.
3. Low edges. Ponds settle over time causing the edges of the liner to lower. This is most often found in waterfalls and streams. They can also be dislodged by animals or landscapers who work around the pond. Look for moisture behind the liner or bubbles forming from hydrostatic pressure. These are clear signs of a leak. Pull up the lower edges or use professional waterfall foam to direct the water in the right direction.
4. Check the sealing at the skimmer and biofalls. When installed correctly, the liner should be properly sealed and connected at both the skimmer and biofalls. This includes a commercial grade sealant, screws, and waterfall foam. Over time these seals can break causing the liner to become detached. A quick way of testing this is to turn the pump off. If the water level continues to go down, you know the leak is the pond and not the waterfall. If the leak stops, there’s a good chance the biofalls needs to be resealed.

Benefits of a Professional Leak Diagnosis

• Complete inspection reports are documented to ensure the professionals find every leak
• Clear resolutions are presented with accurate pricing
• They have the right tools to fix it
• Memphis Water Gardens provides a lifetime warranty on workmanship

Common Mistakes

• Assuming there’s only one leak
• Not having the right tools (like liner patches or sealant) to fix the leak
• Not knowing the right sequence for troubleshooting
• Not having the technical expertise for plumbing connections if the leak isn’t caused from your liner

FAQ’s

1. How long should my pond liner last? Most professional grade pond liners should last at least 20 years. The often last much longer!
2. What is the most common reason for a leaky pond? In our experience, the most common reasons for a leaky pond are holes are rodent damage and low edges.
3. How do I quickly find the source of a leak? Turn the waterfall off! Mark the water level on a rock and see if it drops over the next few hours. This can narrow your search quickly.

Final Thoughts

Pond leaks are very frustrating, especially if you have fish. For many pond owners, it can overwhelming to find the source of a leaky liner. Get it done right the first time by bringing in a professional team!