I am in the process of installing a fairly large pond in my garden. I am doing it myself, bar having had the hole dug.
I lined the hole with a thick layer of newspapers, then 2" of sand and then put carpet underlay over the sand. Then I have put a rubber liner over all.
I have a skimmer box that holds the 3,000 gallon pump for my waterfall.
The problem I discovered the other day, after a very heavy rainfall, is that rainwater has run behind the carpet underlay/vinyal liner and I have a pond within a pond!!
Do you think I should install another small pump between the soil and the underlay, or underlay and vinyal liner to pump out any water that accumulates in future? The soil is clay so does not drain very well, and I live in 'Rainy Pacific North West' so we get a lot of rain here.
I am sure I should have put drainage rocks in first, but too late now as have built the waterfall and cannot possibly lift up the liner at this stage, also am halfway through laying the edging on the pond.
Would the small pump be the answer? I could then plug it in when we have very heavy rainfalls, pump out any water that accumulates behind the liner.
Anyone else have this problem?
What should I do?
Oh my,,I wish I could help but I have no clue. Someone will be able to help I'm sure.
GD,
Just how much water is there under the liner? And when are you adding the water to the pond. The weight of the water should push any water that is under it into the ground.The soil under the pond should absorb the water.
By the way it sounds you are doing a great instillation.
But I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Our local pond pro said not to worry, the ground will take care of the water.
We have a website, Backyardponderingsociety.com it had a lot of links to the pros for help, check it out.
And Happy pondering.
annabelle15
annabelle15, Thanks for a great site. There is about 6" of water under the liner. And yes it has gone down now, but raining again today so possibly will have more water tomorrow! I am going to take your advise and just let nature take its course by absorbing the excess water.
The pond is about 15' x 10' and from 2.5' to 3' deep.