How To Repair A Pond That Is Leaking
Many property owners decide to have a concrete pond installed due to its durability, although we often run into many rubber ponds actively leaking and needing repair. Although concrete ponds are very robust and can stand the test of time when they are managed properly, they are still vulnerable and might need to be resealed every 10-20 years. Rubber ponds are cheaper to build and thus may require a patch much sooner than that of a cement pond. Long story short, Any container holding water can leak, even when made out a very strong material like concrete. The following are some best practices on how to repair a concrete or rubber pond.
How Pond Leaks Begin
Concrete ponds are constructed by adding water, gravel, and sand to cement. Leaks can develop whenever the bond gets too weak in a certain area. Those problems often occur due to the contractor using poor construction to build the pond. If the cement mixture is not done properly it might not be hydrated enough which can cause an uneven cure. Concrete contains microscopic areas that allow water to move easier due to absorption.
Consider a Draw-Down Test
Whenever you suspect that your pond has a leak, fill it up to its regular level and mark the spot using duct tape or a similar object. As the filter and pump is running, it should run for 12 – 24 hours. Then measure how much water you have lost. Then refill your pond to its regular level once again but deactivate your filer and pump. Then wait for another 12 to 24 hours and review the amount of water loss. If you lost more water while your filter was running ha means you can find th leak on the pressure side of the plumbing, past the impeller on the pump. If you lost less water when the filter as deactivated that means the leak is on the vacuum side of the pump before its impeller.
What to Do with your Koi Fish During a Leak?
This is a question we get with every pond leak we run into. The water is draining quick – and what do we do about the fish? Leaks can be a complicated thing because the water might need to be drained out in order to patch the leak, reseal the concrete, or replace the liner entirely. For this we offer a service such as holding your fish and turtles in a collapsible tank we bring to your property and setup. All we need is a 10×10 space, and we are able to setup a pond which can hold your fish and turtles safely during the fix or liner replacement. If this is something you think you need, feel free to reach out to us for more information (714) 312-1260
Repairing the Pond Leak
Identifying the source is the first step that needs to be taken in order to repair the leak. After identifying the source, you can use a sealer to close the pores up. Food coloring is the best tool to use for this. First, take the fish out of your pond and put them inside a temporary container. Next, deactivate the pump for around 60 minutes prior to applying the food coloring. If there are any cracks in the concrete it will be fairly easy to detect. Apply your food coloring close to a crack. It should pull the coloring in.
In situations where there are no visible cracks, food coloring will need to be applied to every object penetrating the shell of the pond, including the returns, lights, and drains. Review the mouth on the skimmer in the area where the plastic is in contract with the concrete. That spot is prone to moving and leakage can be caused by its separation.
After you are able to locate the leak it is a fairly straightforward process to fix the leak. Either a patching material or seal can be used to make the repair. A majority of brands are waterproof. After you have applied the sealant or patching, the food coloring can be used to confirm that you have fixed the leak. If you add sealant or patching close to the fitting, make sure the pump stays off while the curing takes place. Otherwise, the patch could be removed by moving water.How To Repair A Pond That Is Leaking
Many property owners decide to have a concrete pond installed due to its durability. Although these ponds are very robust and can stand the test of time when they are managed properly, they are still vulnerable. Any container holding water can leak, even when made out a very strong material like concrete. The following are some best practices on how to repair a concrete pond.
If your pond, lake, or fountain is leaking – feel free to reach out to us and we’ll guide you on the next best step (714) 312-1260
