The one hardest thing for us to do is locate a leak. It’s not profitable for us and can be very expensive to the homeowner if we try to find them to repair them so we’ve adopted the policy of simply not offering leak locating services. Most times the homeowner, because he sees his pond everyday, has the best idea of where the leak is occurring. Once the leak is found the liner can either be patched or a new liner installed.

A little leak is one that goes down less than an inch a day and may not be worth repairing. In fact, a slow leak can simply keep the plants watered around the pond. A more serious leak, however, can mean tragedy if the pond leaks dry and cannot be ignored for long.

Here are some tips to help locate a leak:

It could be splash from an over-zealous pumping system. Is the water splashing out of the waterfall area? Turn down the flow and see if your “leaking” stops.

Most leaks occur in the waterfall or streambed. Reroute the water if you can so that it bypasses the waterfall. Note the water level. Let the pump run all night then notice if you’ve lost any water. If you haven’t, you know the leak is in the waterfall. If you can’t bypass the waterfall turn off the pump. If it doesn’t leak you will know that it’s either in the plumbing, pump or waterfall.

Tree limbs and accumulated fallen leaves will back up a waterfall or streambed and cause water to rise and leak out from the edge of the liner.

Water leaves a tell-tell sign. Inspect all ground around the perimeter of the pond, including waterfall areas. Don’t be fooled by what looks like water seeping from the lowest part of the pond. Water seeks the lowest levels and run underneath the liner until it reaches the “bottom of the hill”.

Look for Fallen Objects

Did a jagged rock fall in the pond recently? Before you move it check underneath to see if it punctured the liner. If you notice where a dog jumped in to retrieve a ball you might be able to locate a small toenail tear that is easily fixed with a patch.

Check All Hoses and Fittings

Follow the path the water takes through your system. It may be as simple as a loose fitting!

If you seamed two pieces together (we discourage this practice) check that seam! Ninety-nine point nine percent of the time it will be there.

We know how frustrating a leak can be. Normally, if the leak can be located and if it’s small enough it can be fixed with a patch. Even if you isolate and know that the leak is in, let’s say, the bottom pool part of the pond, unless you know exactly where the tear of hole is located you cannot place a patch. In that circumstance, the only way we know to stop the leak is to replace the liner.