|
|
|
Leak Detection
-
If the water level in your water garden or pond or waterfall drops more
than 1 to 1 1/2 inches per week, you have a leak. Waterfalls and streams account
for leaks 9 out of 10 times. Shut off the waterfall or stream so that you can
isolate a leak. Top off the pond, Wait 24 hours, and then check the pond's water
level. If you find that, the pond remains full. You have confirmed that the leak
is in the waterfall or stream.
If the pond loses water while the waterfall and stream are turned off, look for
the leak by adding a trace of food coloring to the water. Sometimes, as a slow
steady leak draws water, the dye makes it visible. Another method involves
allowing the water level to drop until it stops. At that point, examine the
liner's perimeter, marking the water level using a crayon or chalk on the liner.
Pump out another few inches of water if the reduced water pressure results in a
slower leak. This also permits closer scrutiny of the suspected area. Monitor
the dropping water level and remove pond inhabitant to temporary quarters
before they suffer from insufficient water depth. The water level will sink to
the bottom if that is where the leak exists. You might find the leak on the
bottom even if the water drop stops a few inches above it. Regardless of whether
a leak has formed on a sidewall or on the bottom, clean the area before
examining it.
 Repairing
A Flexible Pond
Liner -
Before making repairs, determine what caused a puncture, if possible, remove any
sharp objects under the liner, and add fresh sand there, if necessary. Clean the
area surrounding the leak with a plastic abrasive pad or steel wool (to promote
a better bond between patching materials.) and allow it to dry. Cut a patch of
liner material remaining from the pond installation.
Puncture Repair -
Apply a thin coat of PVC glue (made for flexible, not rigid, PVC) to the patch
for a PVC or PVC-E pond liner. Center the patch over the tear and apply uniform
pressure over the patch with a wallpaper roller or a rolling pin. After 12
hours, refill the pond. For a puncture EPDM, butyl, or Xavan flexible liner, use
a liner repair kit with adhesive-faced patches. If possible, insert a board
behind the area being repaired. Remove the protective paper from the adhesive
face and apply the patch over the hole. Apply uniform pressure over the face of
the patch with a wallpaper roller, rolling pin, or burnishing tool. Refill the
pond.
Tear Repair - If a tear has caused a leak, apply two-sided liner sealing
tape in a rectangular shape around the tear. Apply a patch of liner material the
same rectangular size. Roll over the patch to secure it (as described above).
Apply the single-side liner seaming tape over the edges of the patch refill your
pond.
Clean The Falls -
To remove filamentous algae from a waterfall, shut off its water. Sprinkle the
surfaces with solar or sea salt. The algae will die within 3 days. The waterfall
washes the remains into the pond, and filter removes them. The limited amount of
salt does not harm plants or dish. (Fish and plants readily accept up to a pound
of salt per 100 gallons of water.)
Repairing Concrete Cracks - Temporarily remedy the cracks in concrete
that appear over time as a result of settling, flaws in construction, or
aggressive tree roots, by applying quick-settling concrete sealer. Apply sealer
to a clean, dry surface. If cracking is severe, line the entire pool with a
flexible or preformed liner. Camouflage the edge of the liner as necessary.
Alternatively, if faded with many hairline cracks, consider applying a liquid
coating over the entire surface of the concrete.
|
|
|
|
|
