A Stitch in Time

In any given project, it’s almost certain that we’ll figure out a new way to nick or tear some spot on the 45-mil EPDM liners we use in our ponds. Sometimes it’s a sharp edge on a heavy boulder we’re jockeying into place; other times it’s the random sort of harm to be done by shovel blades, knives, screwdrivers, awls and other tools you can’t get away from on a job site.

The great thing about EPDM liners is that repairing nicks and cuts is both easy and reliable – sort of like the familiar process of patching a bicycle inner tube, only on a larger scale.

The video linked below takes you through the repair process step by step, so I’ll let it speak for itself. But I do want to stress one important point, and it has to do with the applying of a bead of sealant around the outside edge of the patch. This extra step isn’t strictly necessary, but I’ve found that it helps us avoid trouble in situations where the raised edge of a patch might be snagged by rock we’re moving. It just eases the angle a bit and keeps us out of trouble.

Now we just need to figure out how to avoid damaging the liner in the first place!

To watch the liner-patching process, click here.

Eric Triplett is founder and chief executive officer at The Pond Digger Waterscape Design & Construction in Yucaipa, Calif. He may be reached at eric@the ponddigger.com.