Your Guide
to Installing
a Pond Liner
Digging your pond and fitting the liner can seem like a
daunting task, but it's actually very simple. Just follow these
basic steps and you should have no problems. If you do need any
extra advice, just give us a call on 01904 698800 and we'll be
happy to help.
Laying Out
Plan
out the shape of your pond with a hosepipe or length of rope,
avoiding overhanging trees, shrubs and waterlogged areas. Make sure
you are happy with the shape and then dig out the
pond.
Levelling
Make sure your
pond is level by putting a piece of wood across and checking with a
spirit level (as in the picture above). This is important because
if your pond isn't level then the
pond liner will show at one side when the other side
looks full.
Adding Sand
We recommend that
you add a layer of soft sand before putting in the
underlay and
liner. This will help to level the bottom of
the pond as well as protecting the liner and underlay from small
stones which could tear them.
Fitting the Underlay and
Liner
.
Place your
underlay on top of the sand and smooth it down.
Some people use old carpet or newspaper as underlay, but these will
rot down easily and their protection will be reduced over time.
Bradshaws recommend either
Permalay or
Polyfibrelay. Both of these underlays are great
quality and will last a long time.
Please note that
our extensive guarantees on
Polyex Liners are only valid if they are installed
with Polyfibrelay or Permalay.
Once you have
installed the underlay, lay the liner on top and smooth/fold it
into shape. The easiest way to do this is often to get into the
pond (without shoes!). If your pond is really irregular you may
need to make a lot of folds. This is made slightly easier if you
slowly fill the pond at the same time and fold as the liner settles
itself.
Don't stretch the
liner into shape and don't be tempted to start the edging process
until the liner is fully settled or you could end up ripping
it.
Finishing Off
Put paving or
gravel around the edge of your pond to hold the liner into place
and disguise it, then you are ready to add a
pump,
filter and
UVC to keep it clean and clear. You can also add plants
straight away, but remember that fish should be added gradually
(call us or email for more advice).
Bradshaws stock a
variety of liners and underlay, click on the name to be taken to
the product page:
Polyex Liners (Bradshaws' own brand)
Butyl Liners
Firestone Liners
PVC Liners
Greenseal Liners
Polyfibrelay
Underlay
Permalay Underlay
