You spend hours designing the perfect backyard oasis, digging the hole, and laying the foundation. A pond liner serves as the crucial barrier that keeps your water feature pristine and holds the water in place. However, nature sometimes has other plans. Groundwater can rise, or heavy rains can saturate the soil surrounding your excavation site. When this happens, water may accumulate under your liner, creating a headache that requires immediate attention. Continue reading to discover what happens if water gets under the pond liner.
The Risks of Trapped Water
When water gathers beneath a flexible membrane, it creates hydrostatic pressure. This force pushes upward against the liner. Since the liner is watertight, the pressure has nowhere to go. Consequently, the liner floats up, creating large bubbles or “whales” on the surface of your pond.
These bubbles are unsightly and cause significant structural damage. The stretching strains the material, potentially leading to tears or rips. As the liner lifts, the soil underneath shifts and destabilizes. If sharp rocks or debris shift with the soil, they can puncture the material from the bottom up. The trapped water might also contain contaminants from the surrounding soil, which could seep into your clean pond water if a breach occurs.
Prevention Techniques
Stopping water from collecting under the liner starts during installation. You must grade the landscape around the pond to direct surface runoff away from the edge. This step keeps rainwater from flowing behind the liner.
Installing a high-quality geotextile underlayment offers another layer of defense. This fabric cushions the liner against the ground and allows minor amounts of gas or water to travel laterally rather than building up pressure in one spot. For areas with high water tables, installing a French drain or a perforated pipe system around the perimeter creates a path for groundwater to escape before it causes trouble.
Solutions for Existing Issues
If you already notice bubbles forming, you need to relieve the hydrostatic pressure. In some cases, installing a one-way relief valve in the liner allows water and gas to escape into the pond without letting pond water drain out. For more severe accumulation, you might need to install a drainage pipe or a sump pump system beneath the liner to actively remove groundwater. Consult a professional to determine the most effective drainage strategy for your specific soil conditions.
Choosing Superior Materials
The quality of your liner plays a massive role in how well it resists hydrostatic pressure. Western Environmental Liner provides reinforced polyethylene and polypropylene materials designed for strength and flexibility. We custom-fabricate panels to fit your specific project needs. This customization is essential for complex projects, including those that require large lake liners for golf courses or reservoirs. Our factory welds reduce the need for field seaming, creating a more robust and reliable barrier.
Protect Your Investment
Allowing water to sit beneath your liner invites structural failure and costly repairs. By addressing drainage during installation and selecting the right materials, you protect the longevity of your water feature. Contact Western Environmental Liner today to discuss the best containment options for your project.
