Pond Lining Nip and Tuck

[Saifu]

I've built a long pond enclosure out of broken up paving slabs 1.8m x 0.8m x 0.8m high
Got some pond lining.
Wondering how to shape it and build up a thin layer of soil up the vertical wall as it is already narrow.
I've got lots of stone mixed in, but still doesn't seem like it will stay up.
I've been considering cement mix spread over the soil and build it up, but that could crack.
Also once I got to the top, I can't just glue it to the slabs on the top, it would tear.
The lining would have to tuck back into the thin layer of soil.
Should I just opt for a pre shaped pond?
Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[jj4091]

You need to line the hole with old carpet or underlay to stop stones penetrating it when it's filled with water. Then back fill and build up the support as you fill with water a few inches at a time either using just sand or dry sand and cement mix.Once you get to the finished level then fix your pavers with mortar ( 3 to 1 sand and cement ).

 

[Saifu]

Old underlay or carpet sounds sensible. Was going to sift out any sharp stones leaving large pebbles, Spray soil base with water and line with concrete mix to shape like mud basin. How would you deal with the crumpled up pond liner that reached the top?

 

[jj4091]

Just fold it as neatly as you can. The weight of the water and coping stones around the top will flatten the folds and it will just appear to be creased.

 

[evdamadiynot]

I did a few very successful wildlife ponds with the liner sandwiched between two layers of old carpet.
Looks awful for the first season but next year the plants ,and wildlife move in.
Toads newts dragonflies make homes and bees come to take water.
Do not put soil in as the nutrients will provide perfect coditions for algae which strangles everything and is almost impossible to eradicate

 

[endecotp]

Only time I did this was 30 years ago and we used telephone directories - remember those?

 

[Saifu]

Only time I did this was30 years ago and we used telephone directories - remember those?

Telephone directories as a pond fill. That's good use of useless paper.. At least now a days!

 

[Saifu]

I did a few very successful wildlife ponds with the liner sandwiched between two layers of old carpet.
Looks awful for the first season but next year the plants ,and wildlife move in.
Toads newts dragonflies make homes and bees come to take water.
Do not put soil in as the nutrients will provide perfect coditions for algae which strangles everything and is almost impossible to eradicate
View attachment 381390
View attachment 381391

Those ponds look massive. Don't know how you got hold of so much carpet.

 

[Saifu]

Just fold it as neatly as you can. The weight of the water and coping stones around the top will flatten the folds and it will just appear to be creased.

I can visualise it now. Carpets tend to be flexible but still hold their shape. Good plan. I just got to find some old carpet somewhere. Checking freecycle as I'm writing this.

 

[jj4091]

Try local carpet shops or fitters it would save them paying to take it to the tip.

 

[evdamadiynot]

Collect carpet from freecycle and peoples skips if you dont have a local fitter,a year in advance.Avoid foam backed.
Carpet is so unfashionable now that when old folks pop off the new owners rip out some astonishing quality expanses .
The pond pictured is spoon shaped with a max depth of around 2ft shallowing back to zero.The liner is 7metres sqare
The shallows provide marshy areas which are vital.

 

[evdamadiynot]

First house I bought had the entire ground floor covered in overlocked sqares of assorted carpet from sample books.
The old boy had nailed them to the floor with tacks every half inch It took a couple of days to crowbar the all up.

 

[endecotp]

Avoid foam backed.

Yes, there are concerns that some types of carpet contain chemicals that you don’t want to bury in your garden. Look up advice for what types of carpet are suitable for using as a weed suppressant.

 

[jj4091]

Yes, there are concerns that some types of carpet contain chemicals that you don’t want to bury in your garden. Look up advice for what types of carpet are suitable for using as a weed suppressant.

It's not being used as a weed suppressant just packing to prevent sharp objects piercing the liner from underneath.

 

[evdamadiynot]

The reason I avoid foam back carpet is that it degrades quickly and in some cases floats- neither trait is helpful.

Some of the carpet in the ponds was such that you would wipe your shoes after walking on it.
Some reeked of carpet shampoo and Shake and Vac

But as the pictures show the flora and fauna have been undeterred.

Brilliant non fiction book -Islands of Abandonment by Cal Flynn.
Accounts of places around the globe where humans have destroyed the environment seemingly irreparably but nature has miraculously reclaimed it.The derelict Detroit car factory estates,Chernobyl and the Zone Rouge amongst others.Worth a read.