We typically use pond liners to contain water in lakes, ponds, and contraptions involving liquids. On average, they can last for 20 to 30 years, depending on their quality and the severity of the environment.
With this in mind, you might be thinking if there are any alternative applications for these liners aside from retaining water for your backyard fish pond.
If that’s the case, it’s a good thing you found your way here. Continue reading as we’ll be talking about other uses for a pond liner.
Can I Use a Pond Liner As a Weed Barrier?
Pond liners are commonly used in landscaping. Therefore, it’s not a surprise if you’re thinking about using it as a tool for your gardening.
Unfortunately, these liners are usually made up of plastic and rubber. This means that it’s not recommended as a weed barrier for your garden.
Moreover, plants and flowers thrive and survive through the exchange of nutrients, water, and air in their surroundings. Non-permeable materials like plastic liners will hinder this process and will potentially damage your treasured floras in the long run.
To add to that, the plastic covering will raise the temperature of the soil too much for your plants’ liking. So, if you’re living in a hot region, it would surely have negative effects on your flowers.
For those reasons, we recommend that you use a normal landscape barrier to take care of the weeds in your garden instead of liners and any other plastic sheets.
The only downside of using a landscape barrier is that it doesn’t completely stop weeds from growing. For this reason, you would still need to weed your garden from time to time, but hey, at least your beloved floras are well!
Can a Pond Liner Be Used For a Shed Roof?
Tough and water-proof materials are the best to use if you’re roofing your sheds. Your aim is to prevent leaks and preserve whatever you’re storing inside from exposure to elements.
On that note, pond liners are made of tough materials that can withstand direct exposure to damaging elements, such as extreme heat and cold.
So, if you’re thinking of using these liners as roofing for your sheds and huts, it’s a good call. In fact, many people use them for roofing just for those practical reasons.
Another thing to take note of is the lifespan of these liners. If used and installed correctly, it can last for two to three decades.
Here are some things to remember if you want to use pond liner as a roof:
- Make sure that the liner would not come in contact with rough or sharp surfaces.
- You can try using an underlayer foaming for further protection.
- If you’re covering a flat roof, ensure that there are no depressions for moisture to pool.
- Properly secure the liner to withstand strong winds and water.
Can You Use a Pond Liner For a Pool?
Manufacturers made these kinds of liners particularly to tolerate years of exposure underwater. So, you’re not the only one who thought of applying them to swimming pools.
Well, it turns out that people have already been using pond liners for recreational ponds. They use these kinds of ponds for all kinds of water activities, including swimming.
With that being said, there are important things to take into consideration before setting this type of liner in your swimming pool.
First, pool water usually involves chlorine for sanitation purposes. Some of these liner materials (like synthetic rubber and PVC) react badly to chlorine and accelerate their deterioration.
However, if you’re not planning to use chlorine in sanitizing your pool water, then using an HDPE liner should do the trick.
HDPE, also called reinforced polyethylene liner, is significantly tougher against wear and tear and can last longer than its counterparts.
Can Pond Liners Be Recycled?
You can recycle pond liners the same as any other plastic and rubber materials. In fact, some companies buy unused HDPE liners.
There are various ways in which you can reuse your worn or unused liners aside from selling them. Here are a few ways to recycle them:
1 – Reinforcement Liner
Turns out you can use a worn liner as a reinforcement for your new one. Just lay out your new liner over to the old and it’ll provide additional protection.
2 – Decorative Ponds
With a little creativity, you can use an old liner to create smaller decorative ponds in your home. In fact, some use them along with rocks and old tires to make small frog habitats.
3 – Makeshift Tents
Pond liners are sturdy materials that withstand the elements, hence it follows that you can use them as excellent makeshift tents. Simply cut the liner according to your preferred size and shape, install a frame, and you’re ready for outdoor adventures.
Final Thoughts
A pond liner can benefit any type of water landscape. Nonetheless, you should select the appropriate material for your liner based on the environment in which you will use it.
That being said, those are the other uses for a pond liner that we’ve compiled. You may yet come up with other fantastic applications for them that we haven’t even considered!
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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