Pond building advice

[southlonder]

I am trying to build a small pond and have finished with the digging bit.
Two questions :-
1) Can I get a decent pond liner from homebase ?
2) It is not 100% even can I just use soil to build up the low bit ?

[ron1863]

You can get decent pond liners from numerous sources - garden centres are good but dearer. Line the pond with thick layer of sand before putting the liner to ensure that there are no sharp stones etc that could pierce the liner.

[southlonder]

Could I use newspaper instead of sand ?

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by southlonder

Could I use newspaper instead of sand ?

I don't know, but I would imagine that it would rot down and any sharp stones could then pierce the lining.
Someone on WAB will give you better advice than me, but sand is very cheap to buy, especially a builders merchant, B&Q and Homebase are too dear.

Ron

[Kayleigh]

Hi southlonder,
Its best to line it with sand then use either old carpet or proper pond underlay. Try to go for the butyl as this has a lifetime guarantee and it is more flexible.
But if you want a cheaper option go for a pvc.

[deer boy]

Hi southlonder as Ron & Kayleigh said best to use sand (look in your local playing park )
As for question 2 i wouldn't worry about it our pond has a deep end & a shallow end

[Kayleigh]

Yes you can level it with soil. You really need to get it level, or you will find it hard to hide the liner. Then it will crack with the weather.

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Yes you can level it with soil. You really need to get it level, or you will find it hard to hide the liner. Then it will crack with the weather.

Hello What I done when we first dug our pond was bought some sharpe sand then went to the local dump and got a carpet put that in, with butyl liner its guaranteed for life but ordinary liner carries 10 year gaurantee, like kayleigh say make sure its pretty much level otherwise you will see the liner in higher parts, but if unfortunately you do see a bit of the liner you can get some turf and hang it over the pond edge so that eventually the grass will grow down to the water, good in a way because thats how frogs like to go in and out of ponds plus you will next year see frog spawn in the grassed edges , and it does look very natural.We all have different ideas how we build our ponds this was my way, probaly another member will give you better advise then its up to you, good luck. shei.

[larachmor]

My main advice would be not to skimp on the quality of the liner - buy the best you can, and make sure it comes with a good guarantee. At some stage you may well find yourself having to go in to do a bit of maintenance and/or clearance and this is when the liner is most susceptible to damage (e.g. a small stone in the tread of your wellie!!) A friend of mine installed a new pond, used cheap liner, sprung a small leak and all his hard work had to be undone.

[Lance Morgan]

Paper/carpet etc will rot. Get a good quality liner and use sand as a base for the liner.