When
you decide to install a water feature in the backyard it is vital to have the
right pond liner properly fitted. Keeping fish in the backyard is a lovely feature
and hobby but without the correct pond liner properly installed it can turn
into a small disaster.

Not
only will a good pond liner keep the water in the pond but it will also
maintain wanted plants and discourage unwanted ones. The material also helps to
maintain good healthy water to the benefit of the plants and the fish.

Buying Flexible Pond Liners

In
years gone by ponds would have been lined with a polythene sheet but now there
are different materials used providing better protection and flexibility.
Materials used include PVC, rubber, butyl rubber and most recently composite
materials have been introduced. In fact the manufacturers are so sure of the
durability of their product that many of them now come with a life time
guarantee.

Liners
will either be pre-cut or sold off the roll, depending upon the size of the
liner. Before heading out to the store to buy your pond liner, work out the
three dimensional pond measurements and write them down. You can hand these
measurements to the retailer, who will then work out the area of pond liner you
require. 

Another
thing to consider is whether you want a waterfall cascading down your pond.
This is where a pond liner has a distinct advantage over a pre-formed pool, as
the liner can be used to form a waterfall. As an addendum, even if the
waterfall leaks, the water will still make its way back in to the pond.

Installing a Flexible Pond Liner

Using a Liner to Make Your Pond

Before
laying down the pond liner in the hole, be sure to clear all protruding sharp
stones and roots, as these will tear your liner no matter how good a material
is used. Cover the surface with loose damp sand or pond underlay. You can even
use an old carpet, but in doing so you must check there are no tacks sticking
out or anything else sharp for that matter.

Another good tip
before you get started is to lay the liner out in the sun for a shot time so it
becomes supple and easier to use. Once you have laid the liner and got rid of
as many creases as you can, start filling the pond with water. Once the pond is
full you can start to trim the excess liner, but make sure you don’t overdo it.

An
overlap of about nine inches should be sufficient, but if you are planning a
waterfall then you need to retain a lot more. The overlapping pond liner can be
concealed with an attractive rockery or a selection of pebbles.

It’s
a simple process and using pond liner is a much more flexible method than
having to dig a hole to fit a pre-formed pond in. A good pond liner will also
protect the earth below from freezing and keep the water stable, helping to
protect the plants and fish.

Buying a Sun Canopy for Backyard Entertaining
During those hot summer months it is great to have the use of sun canopies to give some shade. Not only that but they can save your day when an unexpected shower arrives and threatens to turn your lunchtime…
Choosing a Preformed Pond for Your Garden
It used to be that if you were looking to put a nice water feature in your backyard, you would never have used a preformed pond liner. The preformed pond liners of old had an extremely short lifespan, which…