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 undertaken with the proper technique 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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Without taping, liner folds are unsightly and can trap debris
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step #1 - preparation
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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step #2 - Drying
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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step #3 - Liner Prep
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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step #4 - Creating a Profile
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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step #5 - Liner Glue
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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step #6 - Applying the Tape
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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step #7 - Finishing Touches
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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This makes a big difference to the aesthetic appearance of the pond as well as preventing the liner from catching debris. We usually put "V folds" in the corners and the liner is tucked back underneath itself. Its kind of like wrapping a present and takes a bit of a knack to get it right
tips
The main thing is not to tape too high above the water, tape as you fill up. We use uncured tape which stretches and we normally fill up a big show tank to allow us to quickly tape without freezing and waiting for the hose to catch up.
Also be cognizant of the jet locations - you can't seal them through 3 layers of liner. Don't worry about perfection - you won't achieve it. But once full and with a little bit of algae, if you did a good job you will be very hard pressed to see any folds
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The great thing about the pond building business is that you are constantly trying new things and learning new techniques I have found unfortunately, very little direction from pond books and had to learn most things through trial and error This "How To" section of our website helps with the actual 1-2-3 and finer points of accomplishing tasks related to this hobby
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