Preformed Pond Liners

Preformed pond liners come with a fixed shape and size from the manufacturer and therefore cannot be changed to fit into a pond that has a different shape or size from it. Preformed pond liners are preferred by some people because of their ease of installation. The major limitation of preformed pond liners is their fixed shape and size which makes them not easy to be adjusted like flexible pond liners. For beginner pond owners, preformed liners may be the best option for them to go for because they are easy to install.

Below are two types of preformed pond liners available:

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pond liners

There are two types of materials used in the manufacture of preformed pond liners and they are fiberglass and HDPE. Fiberglass is a little more expensive but much stronger than HDPE. The rather high cost of fiberglass over HDPE perhaps emanates from the fact that they are more rigid, and can also be easily repaired in the event that they get damaged.

Pond liners made of HDPE are also strong and can be used even in very large areas. They tend to be able to stretch evenly even under stress and most of them are made to be resistant to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This fact makes them to be more survivable even if they are exposed to direct sunlight. Some farms even use HDPE pond liners for the purposes of irrigation as they are said to be able to prevent recession of the ground water level.

The use of HDPE pond liners has increased exponentially due to the fact that they are capable of resisting chemicals, are inert to the ground’s surroundings, have more mechanical strength, are easy to install, are durable and also cost effective.

Below are some exciting features of HDPE pond liners at a glance:

• They are puncture resistant.
• They are highly durable.
• They feature a smooth finish and great texture.
• Are resistant even to low or high temperatures.
• They are resistant to UV rays.
• Installing them is quick and once installed they look more natural.

If you want to add a pond liner to a pond where you will want to keep fish and plants, then it is better to go for a HDPE pond liner. Pond liners made of HDPE will not have any negative effects on the fish and aquatic plant thanks to their inertness. HDPE pond liners are generally very stable and are able to last as long as those made of PVC. Another great thing about them is that they are affordable, although they can sometimes be a little hard to find.

Pond liners made of HDPE are usually delivered to the site where they are to be used in rolls, because they are usually very stiff and thus cannot be premade-up into panels. The seaming or joining together of parts is also done at the site. Installation of HDPE pond liners on a windy day may be a tough task as the sheets tend to be moved by wind during welding. It is better to weld the sheets together during dry times as wet conditions often interfere with the welding process.

Large preformed pond liners

Preformed liners are usually a preferred choice for beginner pond owners because of their affordability and ease of installation. A preformed liner can make the best of a pond liner depending on the experience and expertise of the pond builder. There are certain important things you need to consider when installing large preformed pond liners. These are discussed below:

You need to ensure that the pond where you wish to install the preformed pond liner is level by adding sand to the bottom. After pouring sand into the dugout pond, you should level the sand (I encourage the use of a leveler to test for accuracy). When you use sand at the base of the pond, it will help to prevent any possibility of sharp rocks at the bottom from puncturing the liner when water will finally be added. After the preformed liner has been placed into the dugout pond, it is advisable to backfill the hollow spaces around the edges with sand. This will help with compacting the pond altogether.

Using preformed pond liners also come with its limitations, which include not being able to find the right and exact shape that you may have wanted for your pond. Sometimes it may not be easy for you to get the right preformed liner that will meet your exact needs and preference. Sometimes you may have a very big pond that requires a much bigger preformed pond liner which may not even be available in the shops. In such a case, it may be preferable to get a flexible pond liner.

Why use pond liners?

A pond liner acts as the pond’s seal but that’s not all. Pond liners help to keep the pond clean and help prevent any chance of contamination of the water in the pond. There are instances where the soil where you intend to establish your fish pond may be contaminated and pose a health risk to your fish. By using a pond liner on the dugout pond before putting in water helps to create a barrier between the contaminated water and the soil in pond. This way if your intention of putting up the pond was to keep fish, then the fish you will keep in the pond will not be exposed to contamination from the soil.

Pond liners also help to retain water and thus help maintain the level of water in the pond which in turn will help lower your water bills. Ponds that lack liners usually lose lots of water through seepage underground. That said, pond liners come with great benefits that pond owners should not overlook.