How Long Does a Pond Liner Last?

Lifespan Of PVC & Rubber Pond Liners

If installed properly, a pond liner can last for many years. Although some rubber pond liner manufacturers offer 25-year guarantees, these pond liners must be installed correctly in order to meet the guarantee, meaning as long as the pond liner gets installed underneath the protective underlayment of cement or similar, they will guarantee the liner. Liners exposed directly to the sunlight can only expect to last 5-10 years at most, and that includes wihout people walking on them (for cleanings and repairs) as rocks can damage the pond liner resulting in your pond losing water.  On Epalyn and Butyl pond liners that have diameters up to 100m2, apparently “Liners Online” offers a lifetime guarantee although we suggest making sure you install your pond liner correctly or else your warranty may be voided. For more than 40 years, 0.75mm thick synthetic rubber Butyl pond liners have been successfully lining ponds, and are still considered to among the best pond liners that are available in the market.

Pond liners are basically a waterproof fabric that is designed to prevent water from seeping through to the ground. Not all pond liners are created equal, so it is recommended that you check the terms and conditions along with the guarantee before you place your order. The guarantee time period is only a gauge on the amount of time that a pond liner can be expected to last. More often than not, the shipping on pond liners can be very expensive due to the weight of the liner, so we suggest contacting us if you need to order a liner as there are some local alternatives in and around Orange County California.

Types Of Pond Liners

Pond liners vary in terms of durability, flexibility, and strength depending on the materials they are made out of:

pvc pond liner 300x300 1 | Lake Management Inc.

PVC Pond Liners

Standard pond liners normally have a thickness of about 0.5mm. These are flexible liners although they are not tear-resistant. Therefore if the material gets punctured, over time it might get worse. We often say, anything over 10 years old wont hold a patch so you might have to replace your liner entirely if that’s the case. PVC pond liners can crack and go brittle if they are exposed to the sun for a long period of time. That is why it is essential to have the right maintenance and installation. It is not easy to repair PVC since a majority of pond liner repair products can cause a liner to turn brittle in the area where it is applied which can lead to additional leakages and cracks. It is essential to protect it by using an underlayment liner to help prevent leaks. A PVC pond liner can last for about 20 years if properly cared for, especially if covered by cement.

rubber pond liner | Lake Management Inc.

 

Rubber Pond Liners

This type of liner can be dived further into Butyl and Epalyn (EPDM). Pond enthusiasts have long considered Butyl to be one of the finest materials. On the other hand, EPDM is less expensive and has similar, or even slightly better characteristics compared to Butyl. Both of these pond liners can last up to 30 years. If either should puncture, they can be easily repaired without the need for ane expensive replacement, yes we say the 10 year still applies to these liners as well.

 

preformed pond liner | Lake Management Inc.

 

Preformed Pond Liners

AKA rotomolded pond liners. These liners are a predetermined shape and size and cannot be changed. They are made out of rigid plastic or fiberglass, with both types having their own pros and cons. Fiberglass is expensive. However, it can be installed either below or above ground level. It is important to install rigid plastic liners in the ground in order to prevent them from cracking and flexing. A preformed pond can last up to 10 years. Movement in the ground can cause cracking as they age so they tend to have shorter life spans compared to rubber flexible pond liners.

Can You Install A Pond Liner Directly Onto The Ground?

Yes, but we don’t recommend that you do this as it’ll affect the liner’s guarantee including lifespan. There is a much higher chance that the ground’s rough surface will puncture your pond liner, if not plants or trees surrounding your water feature. A Geotextile, needle-punched, mechanically bonded, non-woven underlay is supplied by Liners Online. It provides high performance and a very effective protective barrier is offered between the pond liner and substrate. We recommend that you use an underlay under all of our pond liners. This helps to protect the pond liner against penetration by sharp roots and stones, and also helps to reduce the amount of excessive localized stretching of your liner as ground settlement takes place over time.

To summarize, a rubber pond or flexible PVC liner can last for 20 years or longer as long as they are installed over a protective underlay and secured in place using the right edging materials and are protected against visits by clawed animals.

If your pond has a leak or you’d like to order a pond liner feel free to reach out to us today to discuss your options (714) 312-1260

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