ThePondSquad
1-866-270-POND
Troubleshooting: Pond Leak
Clearwater Ponds is a division of Sungreen Landscape Inc.
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Is there a leak in your pond, or are the fish drinking all the water? Here is help if you are experiencing water loss. There is a checklist you can print out at the end to take notes during the process. Then if you need our help just email us your results.
Step 1: Does Your Pond Actually Have A Leak?
Evaporation? Ponds with moderate temperatures, and especially during times of humidity, can expect to see a 1"-2" water loss per week in spring and summer. The quantity and size of your waterfall will also affect the amount of water loss. Splashing and moving water has greater exposure to additional evaporation than the water in the pond itself.
If you are losing water at a fast rate, then there is a leak so here are some steps to take BEFORE you call "The Pond Squad"!
---Please note: Make sure you record all your findings in detail, so if we need to come in it saves a lot of guess work.
Step 2: Look For Low Edges
Here’s a little secret. 99% of all "pond leaks" are not due to a hole in the liner, but rather water making its way over the edges of the pond, stream, or waterfalls, due to an overgrowth of aquatic plants.
Look for any low edges. Settling at your pond’s edge is the most common cause of a pond leaks in a new pond.
Typically, the low edges are found around the stream and waterfall where settling may have occurred after a few rainfalls. These areas are usually built up during the construction of the pond using the soil from the excavation, and are prone to some settling. If you see wet mulch along the edge of the stream or wet gravel, any muddy areas, chances are you have found the leak.
To fix: Simply lift up the liner, and push some soil under it in order to raise the edge above the water level.
Step 3: Look For Obstructions In The Stream And Waterfalls a "Splash Leak"
Check to make sure nothing is causing the pond leaks by restricting the flow of water down the "waterfall or stream". Any adjustment of the rocks in the waterfall may have inadvertently caused some of the water to be diverted over the liner.
Water can also make its way over the edge due to excessive aquatic plant or algae growth in the stream or biological waterfall filter. The water simply gets backed up from all of the aquatic plant growth. Plants and algae should be maintained by trimming them back in order to let the water pass freely.
Still leaking? Now it is time to narrow it down more. This is when good notes and marking of water levels are critical.
Tip: to mark you water level use a permanent marker or a piece of tape on a rock or on the skimmer to mark exact start water level.
Step 4: Shut Down The Pump
Turn off the pump and leave the pond for a period of 24 hours .
After 24 hours, look to see if the water level has dropped in the pond.
---If the water has not dropped the leak is NOT in the pond itself. If the water level remains the same in your pond then it is assumed that the pond leak is in the stream or plumbing. Go to step 5
If the water has dropped then you have a leak in your pond. To find out where the leak is occurring allow the water level to continue to drop. When the water level has stopped dropping, then make a mark or where it stopped. Call The Pond Squad to come and try to find the leak now, it may be in the skimmer faceplate or in the liner. ----If the waterfall will be off for a while it will be necessary to make provision for oxygen to your fish, such as reinstalling your bubbler from the winter.
Step 5: Turn the Pump Back On:
Refill your pond to normal running levels and turn on the pump. Make sure you mark this area. Let the pond run for another 24 hours and mark the amount of water loss. If you have lost water measure the exact amount and write it down: This means the waterloss is from the stream or waterfall. If you still cannot find the leak call "The Pond Squad" to the rescue!! 1-866-270-POND or email: info@thepondsquad.com
Print out your copy of this document to take notes:
