Have you recently bought a pond for your backyard? Artificial ponds can be great fun and it makes sense to have one on your property.
It can add some charm to your yard and it allows you to do many different things. Some people use them as simple water features while others will keep fish in the ponds.
No matter what, you want to make sure that you buy a good pond liner. You want the liner to last as long as possible.
How long do pond liners typically last? Continue reading to learn more about this topic.
How Long Will a Pond Liner Last on Average?
How long a pond liner will last depends on the materials that it’s made out of. Later, you’ll learn a bit about the different materials that are used to make these pond liners.
For now, you should know that many of the best pond liners have the potential to last for 30 years. A pond liner might even last slightly longer than this with proper maintenance.
Of course, pond liners that are made using less durable materials won’t stand the test of time quite so well. They might last for ten years or so before needing to be replaced.
To get the most out of your investment, it’s recommended to buy a high-quality pond liner. It’ll last longer and you won’t have to worry as much about leaks or issues with the liner getting punctured.
Even the most durable pond liner can become damaged, though. So you need to do your best to look after the pond to keep things safe and in good working order.
What Are Pond Liners Made Of?
As you might expect, pond liners can be made out of different materials. There are different styles that you can purchase for your pond.
Typically, pond liners will be made out of either PVC, rubber, EPDM, butyl, or HDPE. A pond liner can be soft or hard depending on how it was made.
The most important thing to know is that a pond liner is generally some type of foldable sheet. It’ll be made out of plastic or a type of synthetic rubber.
The semantics about the materials don’t necessarily matter. However, there are some materials that seem to be better than others.
When looking to buy the best pond liner for a pond that contains fish, there are a few things to consider. Does your pond have a lot of fish?
Ponds with large amounts of fish are better off with pond liners that are made out of reinforced polyethylene. These pond liners are perfect for large fish ponds.
Small fish ponds will do well with pond liners that are made out of reinforced polypropylene. Many enthusiasts say that these types of pond liners are better than common HDPE pond liners.
Why Are Pond Liners Black?
It’s common for black pond liners to be sold in shops. You might even be under the impression that black pond liners are the only ones available.
This simply isn’t true. It’s true that black pond liners are easy to find and that they’re sold everywhere.
Black is simply the most common color that pond liners come in. You can purchase pond liners in all sorts of different colors.
For instance, blue pond liners are very popular and might be safer than black pond liners in some ways. Black pond liners can heat up excessively during the summer, and this has the potential to harm both fish and plants.
White pond liners are the best ones to buy when you want to keep the pond cool during the summer. Gray pond liners or tan pond liners will also work out well since they won’t absorb heat.
So you have plenty of options to consider. Not all pond liners are black even if you only ever see black pond liners at the store.
You can order different pond liners online and have them shipped to you. Some local stores might also have different pond liner colors if you ask them.
Are Pond Liners Waterproof?
Yes, pond liners are designed to be waterproof and puncture-resistant. This doesn’t mean that a pond liner can’t become damaged.
A high-quality pond liner should last for a long time. It’ll continue to do a good job and will hold up over the course of many years.
This is why it’s best to buy a reinforced pond liner that is designed to be as tough as possible. It’ll ensure that your investment doesn’t go to waste.
Granted, pond liners generally won’t cost a lot of money. Even so, you want the items that you purchase to work well, and it’s important to keep the fish in your pond safe.
Can You Overlap Pond Liners?
You can overlap pond liners as necessary. If you’re overlapping two pond liners, it’s best to ensure that there’s at least seven inches of overlap between the two pieces.
It’s also important to note that there should be enough pond liner so that it will overlap with the edges of the pond. Plan things out accordingly and get the right amount of pond liner to accomplish what you need to do.
You can use special tape to hold the two liners together. It isn’t hard to overlap the liners, but you need to focus and make sure that you do things correctly.
There’s no reason to overlap two pond liners when you can buy one piece that will get the job done. Just make sure that you buy the right size.
In a pinch, it’ll be easy enough to overlap two pieces. Just know that this isn’t necessary and it’s only something that can be done if you absolutely need to do it.
How Much Pond Liner Do I Need?
How much pond liner you will need depends on the size of the pond. Measure things out and then buy a pond liner that is the right size for your pond.
Many types of pond liners are sold in precut sizes. For example, EPDM pond liners are often sold this way.
There is a basic formula for figuring out how much pond liner you need, but it’s much simpler to use an online calculator. Take a measurement of your pond and then use a calculator to determine the recommended pond liner size.
Since each pond size will require a different amount of pond liner, it’s best to do the measurements yourself. Be sure that you determine the specific amount that you need for your pond and then buy everything.
Final Thoughts
Knowing more about pond liners will make it simpler to pick out the right kind for your pond. If you plan on keeping fish in your pond, it’ll be wise to use a durable and reliable pond liner.
You should go with a reinforced polyethylene or reinforced polypropylene pond liner. There are other options that are viable as well such as EPDM liners.
Many of the PVC pond liners on the market are meant to be budget options. They often won’t cost much compared to the more durable types of liners.
The most durable liners have the potential to last for thirty years. Others might last for half that amount of time or less.
It partially depends on how well you take care of the pond. Good pond maintenance and taking the right steps to keep the pond liner safe will make a difference no matter what type of pond liner you buy.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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