Liner taping is really an essential procedure to undertake in your quest for the best pond possible
It prevents big folds of liner coming out from the sides. Functionally, this flapping liner can trap debris and create dead spots
Many want to skip taping. It is somewhat tedious but it is well worth the effort |
Liner taping needs to done properly or else the tape simply will not hold. It has taken me several years of experimentation with different products to find the procedure that holds for the long run
When taping a pond, you need to start filling and pulling the liner to eliminate as many folds as possible - especially on the bottom. Then, create folds (usually in the corners) then commence taping systematically around the perimeter. As the water rises, continue to tape above it. The tape sets instantly. Don't attempt to tape to far above the water as when the level rises to that point, you may find it the fold too tight or too loose.
Less than 2 feet above works well
The procedures outlined below also apply when patching leaks although for leaks, we often apply a double patch |
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As with a lot of things, preparation is everything. The liner needs to be cleaned of any dirt and debris. This is easily accomplished with a rag and some water. Most of the time, the liner is quite clean anyway
If attempting to tape a dirty liner, a wire brush on a power drill will easily clean it of algae |
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If the liner is not absolutely dry, the tape will not stick. A hair dryer not only dries the liner quickly, it also make the liner more supple which is necessary in colder weather. It goes without saying, you need to be very careful not to drop the dryer into the pond |
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This may not be an essential task but we treat the liner with a spray on liner prep which I feel aids in the adhesion ability. It makes the liner more receptive to the glue |
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Before applying any glue, it is advisable to rough up the liner. A wire brush is helpful for this task or a cordless drill with brush attachment works well. Again, this preparation is key |
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Liner glue must be used. Although the tape is sticky, it will not stick without the glue. A little glue goes a long way so don't over apply thickness wise. However, always put a little extra on in terms of dimension so that when you press the tape into place, there is glue under all of it. If a corner doesn't have glue under it, it will come up, usually instantly |
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This is not as easy as it would appear. Common mistakes include uneven coverage with one side of the fold having way more liner tape. Air bubbles are another thing to avoid, start working the tape from the middle out to minimize them. The tape should be firmly pressed into place. Uncured tape works best as it will stretch |
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The tape needs to be rolled down and a heavy steel roller works well. If possible, a hard surface underneath (2"x 8" etc) is advised but often impractical. The edges should be almost welded down and you should not be able to lift them up
Once you get the routine down, taping is not that difficult and makes for an infinitely better finished product
For more on taping, see the liners page |
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