Ponds are normally small water mass that can be used to add beauty to the home environment. There are steps you must follow precisely when building a pond. Below, we have outlined them. Read on.
- The most important consideration that has to be taken into account is the location of the pond.
- Choose a site area where there is plenty of sunshine. The location of the pond should be far from trees. This is to avoid leaves from falling and rotting in the pond. The pond should also be far from trees to prevent the pond liner from being punctured by the tree roots.
- Check with the utility company if the site chosen has underground power cables. Check also with the local council about building regulations.
- Ensure that the right tools are available.
- Decide on the size of the pond. This will depend on the size of available space and the purpose of the pond.
- Use strings, pegs or a long water hose to determine the pond’s perimeter. Add as many curves as possible to the shape, but not too many.
- Once the shape is in place, use a shovel or any other digging tool to increase the depth of the pond. The appropriate depth of the hole should be approximately 14 inches deep. Do not throw away the removed soil, since it will be used for finishing touches.
- Check the flatness of the hole edges using a level. If the sides are not level, add soil to the lower side or remove soil from the higher end.
- Remove any stones or roots that may destroy the liner. Then use roofing felt to cover the sides and the bottom.
- Add the pond liner to the finished hole. The recommended thickness of the liner is 44 mm. The liner should cover the inside of the pond.
- Make sure that the liner overlaps the pond by at least six inches. Stretch the liner to make it as firm as possible.
- With the liner firmly in place, add water to fill the pond. Though the liner will begin to shrink, the overlapping liner prevents it from being overcrowded with water.
- Add large rocks around the liner to support it. In addition to the large rocks, add small sized rocks until the liner is covered.
- Install a submersible pump. Check the pump’s horsepower before installing. For small ponds, one-sixth horsepower pumps are recommended.
- Drain out the initial pond water to remove any dirt or debris. Then fill the pond with clean water.
One should know that ponds need maintainace as well as cleaning in a regular basis especially if one has incorporated living things such as fish, tortoise, crabs and others. This is because the pond is a living area for the animals and they need clean oxygen to survive.