Pond edge paving around butyl liner, a couple of questions

[ashtons99]

I have just about killed myself digging 10 tons of soil out for my pond. I am now in the process of paving the edge. I have lapped the liner back over the edge to about 8 inches. The slabs are 18inch square. I guess they need to be bedded on mortar. My questions are:

1. Will mortar bond them to plain old soil where the turf once was.

2. What about the butyl, will it bond to that too or will that compromise the bonding area under the slab and make them unstable given that I intend to have a couple of inches of slab overhanging the pond edge

3. Ive been told to put a lime neutraliser in the mix. Has anyone hear of this or any other suggestion to avoid killing any fish I put in the pond.

4.Is 8" excessive for the liner to overlap back under the slabs, can I reduce that at all.

 

[greg31]

Post removed.

 

[Jasonb]

The mortar will not physically bond to soil or butyl, it will just take up any unevenness and stop the slabs tipping into the pond if someone steps too close to the edge.

As Greg says a concrete collar gives a firmer base to set the slabs on but they should be dug and poured before the main pond area is excavated so its a bit late now as your liner is in. The rockwork on my pond sits on a reinforced concrete ring beam and is "rock" solid

G4 is the most easily available sealer for the mortar, its a clear liquid and you will need to apply three coats then rinse well once it is dry. You should be able to get it from any decent aquatic outlet.

I would have a max of 50mm slab overhanging the edge and make sure the minimum amount of liner is exposed to daylight as the UV rays can deteriorate it.

Keep the 8" of liner that you have under the slabs.

Jason

 

[ashtons99]

Thanks guys, it looks like I should have perhaps posted this before I put the liner in and the water!! I think to set to now and make a concrete collar will be a bit difficult. I have overlapped the slabs about 50mm and left 8" of butyl.

Its my first pond and in all honesty I have been given so much advice, good and bad, I just decided to go my own way until I found this site which looks like a good source of info for loads of things.

Im very pleased with how the pool is looking, Ive just started removing turf etc to get the top of the pool and slabs level. I will follow your guidance and hope that bedding them on mortar does the job

 

[WabbitPoo]

Thanks guys, it looks like I should have perhaps posted this before I put the liner in and the water!! I think to set to now and make a concrete collar will be a bit difficult. I have overlapped the slabs about 50mm and left 8" of butyl.

Its my first pond and in all honesty I have been given so much advice, good and bad, I just decided to go my own way until I found this site which looks like a good source of info for loads of things.

Im very pleased with how the pool is looking, Ive just started removing turf etc to get the top of the pool and slabs level. I will follow your guidance and hope that bedding them on mortar does the job

I wish you well but I fear slabs on mortar on liner wont stay put very long if you allow anyone (big or small) to walk on them. We used stone boulders we dug out of the hole around ours, which looks more "natural" anyway. I could barely lift 'em so they are not going anywhere.