Repairing Butyl or Plastic Pond Liners.

Butyl rubber or polythene pond liners are easy enough to repair you take care and do the job properly. Finding the leak is probably the most difficult part of the operation.

The easiest way to find a leak with a butyl liner, is simply let the water find its leaking level. This will be where the cut or hole will be. However, once you have got the water level to the leak, it may still be difficult to see the actual problem area unless it is a big hole or tear.

So, take out a further few inches of water either by siphoning or with your eclectic pond pump. If this is done on a sunny day, the liner will soon dry - except for the area where the leak is! Water will be finding its way back through the liner from the sodden soil behind. So, now you have found your leak, this is what you do!

Repairing Plastic and Rubber Pond Liners.

Get along to your aquatics shop and buy the correct patching material for your particular liner. Either Butyl repair patches or for plastic.

Cut a patch which as at least 2 times as wide and long as the repair area. Clean the patch and also the liner repair area with Methylated Spirits. This will remove all grime and grease and ensure a good clean surface to both patch and liner.
Apply the adhesive according to the instructions on the package. You will normally have to wait for the adhesive to become 'tacky'.
Position the patch over the repair area - making sure that the area of repair is in the centre of the patch. Smooth over firmly to ensure good adhesion and remove any air bubbles. Then, allow time to dry - according to the manufacturer's instructions.
After the patch has bonded properly, simply refill the pond. there should be no problems!