Small Backyard Pond Is Leaking - What To Do
In this article, we are going to discuss what to do if your small backyard pond is leaking.
The Epiphany Pond team has over a decade of experience installing and repairing backyard ponds. We are Certified Aquascape Contractors, as well as Graduates of the Horticulture Technician Program from Durham College. Contact us today if your backyard pond is leaking.
Now, let's dig in and discuss why your backyard pond is leaking and what to do about it.
Small Backyard Pond Is Leaking - What To Do
1. Assess for expected evaporation
Every backyard pond will experience some measure of evaporation. This is caused by water turning into a vapour and escaping from your pond. The amount of water loss will vary according to the region of the country and the time of year.
Knowing how much water you can expect to lose from evaporation will help you know whether your backyard pond is leaking.
Backyard pond is leaking: Water will evaporate naturally, but your pond is leaking if the drop off is extreme
For example, a 4’x 6’pond with a 20-foot stream and 5 feet of cascading waterfalls can lose as much as 2 inches or more per day! That's because moving water has greater exposure to additional evaporation than does the still water in the pond. Those levels should be raised naturally from rainwater, however.
Solution: Evaporation does not account for filling your pond one evening and waking up to find the water six inches lower. If your pond is experiencing a loss of water at a more rapid rate than normal evaporation, it's likely that your backyard pond is leaking.
2. Look for low edges if backyard pond is leaking
Once you're aware of expected evaporation, inspect the edges of your pond. Check for damp areas or pooling water outside of the pond for indications of leaks caused by lowered edges.
As the dirt around your pond settles, it can create low spots that may cause water to escape over the edge of the liner. Settling at the pond’s edge is one of the most common reason as to why your backyard pond is leaking, especially if it's a new build.
Backyard pond is leaking: Make sure your pond's edges are raised enough to keep water in
Solution: Lift the liner up and push some soil under it in order to raise the edge. If the pooling is occurring around a waterfall or stream, adjust the rocks to allow for better water flow.
3. Shut off your pump
If your edges check out, do some deeper investigating if your backyard pond is leaking. Begin by shutting your pump off for a day so you can determine the general location of the leak. Then follow these steps:
Make sure your pond is filled to the right level.
Unplug your pump.
Let your pond sit for 24 hours.
If the water level drops, you know for sure your backyard pond is leaking.
To find out from where your backyard pond is leaking, allow the water level to continue to drop. Focus your search around the perimeter of the pond at the level that the water has stopped dropping.
At this point, you may want to consider calling in a pond professional to locate and repair the leak, but you can do it yourself if you enjoy working in your pond.
Learn more about working with Clearwater Creations!
Solution: Remove any rocks around the perimeter of the pond at the level where the water stopped, and search for evidence of a hole in the liner. When you find the hole, cover it with a self-adhesive EPDM Liner Patch.
If after turning off your pump for 24 hours you find the water level remains the same, then it is safe to assume that that the leak is not inside your pond. Your next step is to check the pipes, the plumbing fittings, the pump connections and skimmer for leaks. At this point, we definitely recommend calling a pond expert.
Trust Epiphany Ponds If Your Small Backyard Pond Is Leaking!
As a Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC), Epiphany Ponds is proud to be part of the best team of pond builders in the world!
We have the education and experience to enhance ANY outdoor living space. We have the best-trained staff a landscaping company can have. Everyone on the team is educated, knowledgeable, and experienced in our field.
We pride ourselves on being the best aquatic feature and landscape company in Peterborough and surrounding areas!