DIY Network

Installing a Water Garden: Prep for Pond Liner From "Waterscapes" episode DWAT-103

A key to success for any water garden is a durable liner with no leaks. A protective fabric underlayment is laid down first to protect the rubber liner from potential punctures from underneath.

In this segment of DIY's Waterscapes workshop, host Heidi Robinson and water garden expert Rick Bartel permanently anchor the skimmer and waterfall tank and make the final preparations for installing the pond liner and protective underlayment.

Concrete
Wheel barrow
Shovel
Rubber gloves
String
Tape measure

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	Heidi and Rick inspect the pond liner and underlayment that will be used to seal the bottom of the water garden.
	Figure A
	Figure B

Anchoring the Skimmer and Waterfall

• According to Rick, it's important that the skimmer and waterfall tank both be installed so that they sit level. Once these components are full of water, they will be quite heavy. If not secured properly, they could settle and shift when the ground becomes wet. A small amount of concrete will help stabilize these important structures in their proper positions.

• To anchor the skimmer and waterfall in place, use ready-mix concrete. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to mix the concrete.

  Important: It's a good idea to wear protective rubber gloves when working with wet concrete.

• Once you've verified that the skimmer is level, shovel small amounts of the wet concrete into the spaces around the skimmer, and pack firmly (figure A).

• Make sure to pack concrete on both sides of the skimmer, as well as around the back (figure B).

• Keep adding concrete until the concrete around the skimmer is flush with the ground.
  

  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Repeat the process for the waterfall tank, placing concrete around the sides and back of the tank (figure C).

• Use a carpenter's level to make sure that the components are sitting level (figure D). Make any necessary adjustments before the concrete begins to harden.

• Once the skimmer and waterfall are secured in place, you can fill in the trench for the PVC connecting pipe by raking in some of the dirt that was removed earlier. Fill the trench, covering the pipe, and pack the dirt down firmly.

Prep for Pond Liner

With the plumbing for the water garden installed, the two-part process of lining the pond can begin.

• The first step is to put down a layer of heavy felt underlayment. This layer will protect the rubberized pond liner from possible puncture by sharp stones, roots, etc. from underneath.

• The liner will then be stretched out over the top of the underlayment. The liner itself is a heavy-duty rubber liner (45 millimeters thick) that is very tough and durable. Nevertheless, it's important to make certain that the liner is not damaged or punctured during installation. A perfectly intact liner is the key to a successful water garden. If installed properly, this type of liner should last for 45 to 50 years before deterioration sets in.

  Important: When purchasing a pond liner, don't be tempted to buy a less expensive roofing rubber. The liner we used is designed specifically for ponds and is chemical-free. Roofing rubber may release chemicals into the water that is harmful to plants and fish.

• When purchasing your liner, it's essential that you buy a piece that is adequate to cover the entire bottom surface-area of the pond -- with a little overlap to extend over the coping shelf. Note that, because the shape of the pond is both concave and terraced, simply buying a liner equal to the overall dimensions (i.e., length and width) would not be sufficient to line the entire pond. You must take all of the contours into consideration, including the coping shelf, plant shelf and the slope on the bottom of the pond. For that reason, there are some special techniques that Rick uses for measuring the surface area of the bottom of the pond.
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

  
  
• Use a piece of string, start at one end of the pond and drape it along the bottom of the pond, following the contours as closely as possible (figure E). Continue in this manner all the way across the pond from end to end (figure F). Once you've done this, measure the length of the string you used to arrive at the total length-dimension you'll need for your liner.

• Repeat this process for the width of the pond, measuring all the way from side to side using the string technique.

• Following this technique, we were able to determine that we needed a liner that's by 17 feet long by 14 feet, six inches wide. Since we purchase a liner that's 20 feet by 15 feet, we have a liner that's sufficient size with a little to spare.
  

RESOURCES :

The Water Garden Design Book
ISBN: 0764153730
Authors: Yvonne Rees, Peter May
Barrons Educational Series
(August 2001)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden
ISBN: 0821227963
Author: Philip Swindells
Publisher: Bulfinch
(April, 2002)
To order this book from Amazon, click here.

GUESTS :
Rick Bartel
Owner, Autumn Mist Aquatics
(423) 838-7663
www.AutumnMistAquatics.com