Sometimes, you need to add a thing or two to ensure your pond’s longevity without requiring much maintenance. In that case, you can add pond liners to hold the water in it. Now, the question is: can you overlap pond liners?
You can overlap a pond liner in various ways. One of the most popular ways to do that is using a new liner over the old one. On the other hand, many people use sand, gravel, rocks, and other objects to overlap a pond liner.
However, you cannot overlap a pond liner just like that. So, how about we get to learn a few more things to ensure a perfect overlap? I will also answer some commonly asked questions regarding overlapping ponds and materials you can use.
Can You Overlap Pond Liners?
Adding a pond liner makes the pond easy to maintain and cost-effective. And if you want to overlap your pond liner, you need to go through the following procedure.
Step 1: Safety First
First, you need to wear your safety goggles and gloves because you have to work with acetone and primer.
Step 2: Take Measurements
Lay the liner flat on a surface. Get the two overlapping pieces of four to six inches where you want to join them.
Follow the edge of the top piece of the liner to mark on the bottom part with chalk. The following drawn line can be about 3 inches from the first line and 7-9 inches from the bottom line’s edge.
Step 3: Wipe With Acetone
Apply acetone on the overlapping area of both liners and wait for it to dry.
Step 4: Brush With Primer
Add primer on both liners with a brush. It will take around 10-15 minutes for the primer to be dry enough to touch.
Step 5: Attach Sealer Tape
Roll the sealer tape onto the bottom liner and use a roller brayer to burnish it firmly so that it doesn’t end up with air pockets.
Step 6: Attach Both Liners
Once the previous steps are done, attach the top and bottom liners. Fold back a corner to access the sealer tape.
Step 7: Remove The Tape’s Backing
Carefully peel off the sealer tape’s backing. And press down the top liner smoothly as you peel off the backing and seal the liners.
Step 8: Burnish The Liner
Once again, burnish the overlapping area with the roller brayer to remove air pockets. Burnish the edge of the liners as well.
Step 9: Brush With Primer
Again, brush primer from the second chalk line to the upper line’s top. Then wait for it to dry.
Step 10: Place The Cover Tape
Place the cover tape on the sealed liners, with its backside down. Peel off the backing and press the cover tape on the liners to adhere it. And burnish the cover tape straight to complete the overlap.
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Common Pond Liner Installation Mistakes
Sometimes, the liner fails to prevent sharp objects from getting pushed over because users install it incorrectly. It also happens when they purchase the wrong pond liner. Let’s have a look at the common mistakes they made so that you can avoid them.
Mistake 1: Choosing A Liner Based On Price
It does seem tempting to purchase a comparatively cheaper pond liner and save some money. But this is an investment for around half a lifetime. So you should be prepared to invest some more and ensure a high-quality and durable material liner.
Mistake 2: Getting The Wrong Size
You need to know the exact length of your pond before you order or purchase the liner. First, measure the dug area by length, breadth, and depth to find the precise dimension. Don’t forget the extra length you will need to anchor the liner over your pond edges.
Mistake 3: Not Adding Protective Layer
A pond liner needs protection both above and below to hold it in a place. Before you lay the liner, you need to add a geotextile protective underlay. Then put sand, rocks, and gravels to weigh down the liner.
Mistake 4: Not Securing The Edges
There should be enough liner left to overlap the pond edges. If it is not sealed correctly, the pond edges will be exposed once you fill it with water. Overlap the liner perfectly so that it can take the weight without any issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How Thick Should A Pond Liner Be?
Pond liners are prone to sharp objects. And tree roots often end up penetrating through them. To ensure the liner remains free of holes and punctures, purchase a thicker liner for your pond.
You can use 30-mil for backyard ponds. And 30 or 45-mils are more suitable for basic ponds.
Q. How Long Do Pond Liners Last?
Pond liners go through many things, such as rocks, plant roots, sunlight, etc. The longevity of the liner depends on all those. Nevertheless, a well-maintained liner can last 15-20 years or more.
The rubber pond liner manufacturer offers a 25-year warranty. However, users shared from their experience that it can last up to 30 years. On the other hand, PVC liners can last at least 20-25 years.
Q. Can I Put A New Pond Liner Over The Old One?
You can put a new pond liner over the old one. However, I do not recommend this for a few reasons. If your old liner is damaged and you put a new one over it, it will not strengthen the liner.
So, it would be best if you removed the old liner entirely before installing the new one. Make sure to clean out all sand, tree roots, gravels, and rocks before spreading the new pond liner. Otherwise, it will get punctured in no time.
EndNote
When someone asks, “Can you overlap pond liners?” my immediate response is yes. Overlapping a pond liner may look like a complex task. However, it doesn’t take long to complete the job if you know what tools you need and follow the instructions.
Pond liners not only lessen your pond maintenance cost but also helps the pond water look clearer. I would say that’s how your hard work on pond liners pays off. You can enjoy having a pond for a long time without worrying a lot about it.