Tracing a Leak in pond liner

roxie · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

I have a very slow leak in our pond liner, made several attempts at finding the source but so far without any luck, any tips on how to locate the source of the leak ?

GPI · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:08 pm Post subject:

Is this pond on its own without a stream or cascade entering it, roxie?
Also does it contain any fish?
Is the pond created using butyl rubber, a fiberglass liner or smeared subsoil?

roxie · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Pond has a high quality stretch liner (bitumen ? ) , it has a waterfall but this is turned off to ensure the leak is not a result of loss there, no fish.

GPI · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:15 am Post subject: Tracing a Leak in pond liner

This method requires a prolonged period of dry weather or else the covering of the pond from rain.
Just allow your pond to keep losing water, at some time it will stop and you can then go about locating the leak.
When it does stop, you have found the lowest part of the leak.

Check around the perimeter of the pond at the level that the water has stopped dropping for any visable holes or tears.
If none are visable, you must top up the pond with an inch or two of water.
Then gently pour a cup of milk as close to the center of your pond as you can get). It should be sucked toward the leak and you will be able to see the white milky trail.

If you see no trail from the centre, try adding milk to areas around the perimeter.
All this is best carried out on a calm day
If and when you find the hole, you can patch it with a liner patch kit available at or orderable from most garden centres.

Good luck in your search, let us know how you get on.

roxie · Hazel Tree Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 4

Many thanks for you tip it sounds a simple but clever way of getting to the source of the problem, I think the weekend is promising to be dry, I will let you know hot it works out, thanks again.

GarethAustin · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject:

GPI

genius idea about using milk.

Rockworld · Hazel Tree Joined: 27 Jul 2007 Posts: 8 Location: KILDARE

Very good tip about using milk, personally i use condensed milk (made by a manufacturer with a well known flower in the title).
In liner ponds folds can be a problem area where leaks can be found, also if you have any pets which like to swin check the area where they enter and exit.