Without Draining the Water Out The Way to Fix a Fish Pond Liner

Rocks, sticks and other debris may cause holes and tears in flexible pond liners, leading to slow leaks that can damage the surrounding backyard area, not to mention harm your fish and aquatic plants. A broad selection of pond liner repair kits and stains ask you to drain the water before fixing the gap, but you can also purchase pond patch kits which may be used underwater. The fix only takes a matter of minutes to finish, which saves you time in addition to conserving water. Underwater patch kits work best for smaller holes about 1 inch in diameter, but the specific dimensions is indicated on the product label.

Wipe the place a few inches around the pit using a clean cloth to remove any algae or built-in debris. The place needs to be as clean as you can to ensure a strong bond with the area. When water is drained, the area to be patched is typically wiped clean with rubbing alcohol, but this isn’t sensible for an underwater repair.

Scratch the area around the pit with medium-grit sandpaper for example 120-grit sandpaper. The scratches create tiny grooves for the epoxy to fill, helping the patch to bond firmly into the pond lining.

Cut a piece of the patch material to about two inches larger on all sides compared to the magnitude of this hole in the lining. Wash the patch thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. Most patch kits include an alcohol swab, however you may use rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Scratch the patch with the 120-grit sandpaper and clean the surface .

Cut a piece of wax paper — sometimes included with the patch kit — 2 inches larger in diameter than the lining patch. Put the patch onto the wax paper.

Mix the adhesive which comes with the patch kit, mixing only enough to cover the size of this patch using a 1/16-inch thick layer. Underwater patch kits typically include a two-part epoxy that you combine in equal parts to activate the adhesive. The epoxy thickens following blending. It also heats after blending, and the higher the temperature, the less time it takes to place when you apply the patch. For example, if you allow the epoxy to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, as an example, it will place in less than 10 minutes. Refer to the product label for mixing instructions for your particular patch merchandise.

Distribute the sandpaper on the lining patch within an even layer about 1/16-inch thick.

Push the patch on the hole immediately after applying the glue glue, using the wax paper as a barrier between your hands and the patch. Press the patch from the centre to the outer edges to work out any wrinkles, air bubbles and water. You don’t have to hold the patch in place for the healing time — 10 minutes for 100 F off — however you must press it for long enough to ensure it holds in place.

Peel back the wax paper when the epoxy glue cures to complete the patch endeavor.

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