Pond leak

[bulldog]

Bit random here but thought I would ask. I have a leak in my garden pond. It is a liner not concrete. Suspect fairly small as takes a couple of days to drop about 3 inches when I top it up. Any good ideas as to how I might find it. I have looked online but no particularly applicable solutions.

[Deleted]

Feb 19, 2023 12:12:42 GMT 1 bulldog said:

Bit random here but thought I would ask. I have a leak in my garden pond. It is a liner not concrete. Suspect fairly small as takes a couple of days to drop about 3 inches when I top it up. Any good ideas as to how I might find it. I have looked online but no particularly applicable solutions.

I had a garden pond in one of my many houses. I also had a leak similar to yours and it was also in the liner. I called the guy who built the pond (it was quite large) and he came and inspected it. He said the only solution was to drain it - he offered to look after the fish - and then inspect the liner carefully.

He said the fish (I had fairly large carp), sometimes nibble the liner because there is a type of moss growing on it which they like. In the end, I didn't bother, and just kept topping it up. (This was in the days before water meters, though). I have heard similar stories from other people, and the biggest problem seems to be what to do with the fish while the repair is taking place. I understand that there is a sealant, which is harmless to fish, once you can pinpoint the source of the leak.

Not much help I'm afraid, but maybe something to think about.

[viscount]

I was about to respond in a similar vein.

The only way to reliably stop a leak is to empty the pond, then either find and seal the leak, or preferably place a new liner over the old one - being very careful not to puncture the new one while replacing rocks and planting! If the liner has been in place for very many years, the plastic could thin and become slightly permeable over a large area, not a single tiny hole. If close to the house, the permanent damp created by the leak could cause damp or even foundation issues in the future.

Have fun! Brian.

[bulldog]

Thanks for input , I asked in a fish place and as you say if you can pinpoint the leak then it can be sealed. To remove the liner would be a nightmare , and to replace would cost a lot of money. There is a sealing tape which comes in metre lengths , so my only hope I think is to pick somewhere and go round with this sealing tape until presumably I seal the right place. Obviously when I try this ( perimeter is prob 20 m)the hole will be in the last metre !!other choice might be fish and chips and fill it in !!!!

[bulldog]

The pond is a bit “ dumbbell” shaped so now I am thinking. Make an earth dam with sand bags and stuff . Fill it up and if I can make the blockage leak proof one side should go down and the other side should not. Then at least I have only half a pond to think about and as Brian suggests new liner over old. For those who have any interest I will put some pictures up and you can watch my either success or failure!!

[mooneyncp]

off the wall thought what about using a kids type paddling pool for a short term home for the fish