Source
r/ponds•
Patnet

Should I re-line this old pond?

This rather old pond is lined with concrete and has seen better days. Today I drained it and dug out the silt and I'm wondering what renovation would be helpful whilst it's dry.

I think it was probably built in the 1920s, and it has been completely abandoned for at least the last 30 years. It's about 2 feet deep and nearly half the "water" was actually a deep layer of soil and rotten leaves. Amazingly, it has maintained a good water level for the 6 months I've owned it (although I wait to see if it will still be watertight without its silt lining!)

The concrete lining is ropey in parts and has plenty of cracks etc. Although I'm not currently aware of any leaks, I feel like this is the moment to effect repairs, i.e. whilst the pond is dry and before I've invested time and money planting it up.

Is there anything I should do at this stage to improve the lining? For example, is it worth my while adding another layer of concrete over what is left of the lining, or touching up the cracks in some way? I'm aware there are paints for re-sealing concrete ponds - is that a good idea as a precautionary measure for old concrete?

I'm not anxious to create work for the sake of it, but equally I don't want to regret not doing something whilst I have access to the dry surfaces.

Posted Jun 7, 2018, 2:05 PM UTC

35
Phoenix1130•

Absolutely ! I would fill the cracks with hydraulic cement and smooth them out. After that I would paint the entire thing with an epoxy paint like pond shield or something. This will prevent the water from leeching through the concrete.

2
PatnetOP•

Thanks - this is really helpful.

Whilst there are some obvious cracks, there are many places in the walls where the concrete is just in poor condition rather than having a single evident crack running through it. Not having done anything like this before, can I just 'skim' the existing concrete walls with some fresh cement and expect that to reinforce and seal them?

I hand't realised I would need to use a paint also, but it seems you're absolutely right and I wouldn't want the water directly contacting my new cement.

1
223e3•

Clean off all the loose concrete use hydronic cement to smooth it all out and then paint it.

2
DG1002•

A pond liner might cost a few $$ more but would be 10x less work than concrete repairs. Id use the time Saved to make the pond aesthetically pleasing - adding stone and rocks inside pond and around perimeter to hide the liner.

2
OlyGator•

I agree with the poster who said use a liner. So much less work and maintenance. That's a pretty neat little housing for a pond. Would make a good home for some gold fish.

2