EPDM Liner Leak

[Ron C]

Hi,

I have a couple of leaks in my liner. I am getting close to isolating them, but need to know what to patch it with.

Would an innertube patch kit work, or do I need something else? Where do I get what I need?


Thanks

[Jackie Ramo]

Hi ron, where are the leaks? I'd use the stuff that is for pond liners rather than any make do stuff. There is a double sided tape as well they use to join liners. I've also heard of a patch kit, but my old brain is drawing a blank on who makes it.

[Jackie Ramo]

There is also a product that is a spray on rubber called Rescue 911. Hope this helps

[Ron C]

Thanks Jackie....

[Jackie Ramo]

Any time, my dear.

Did you find the leaks, do you know what caused them?

[Ian]

I find an off cut of the liner and applying crazy glue(super glue) or even contact cement works as a patch. The trick is that both the patch and the liner must be applied with glue and let dry before sticking together. A roofing contractor that does epdm roofs uses glue but not sure if they are inert when cured.

[Ron C]

Ian,

Thanks.... If you let the super glue dry on both pieces, how do you stick them together?


Thanks

[Ron C]

Any time, my dear.

Did you find the leaks, do you know what caused them?

I know about where they are. I haven't pulled the rocks off the shelves yet and that is where they are.

What caused them? Yup I know. It were me. I had algae really bad, I mean the stuff was over four inches thick on the bottom and sides. The fish would get in it and you couldn't hardly see them. So I decide to drain it, then attack it with the power washer. The pond has a shelf all the way around about 1 ft. down from the top of the water that hold my big rocks. There were a few spaces where you could see the liner through the rocks, so I dumnped some small river rock in the spaces. Well that didn't work and I got tired of the small rocks winding up on the pond bottom, so I was trying to spray them out and the nozzle was too strong, and I was too close. That is the only time/way it could have happened.

[Jackie Ramo]

Sometimes we could just kick ourselves... Is the liner 45 ml.. I've jumped on it with a transplant shovel and it bounced back so I'm surpised the power washer did it.

The key to patching is to make sure both sides of the patch are clean clean clean...

[Ian]

Super glue and contact cement are type of glues that need to be dry to the touch before stuck together. When the glue on the liner touches the glue on the patch they will bond together. It only takes about ten minutes for contact cement but super glue will only take a minute or so. If you put the patch together when the glue is wet it won't cure properly without the air. If you left the glue dry for a few hours before putting together it might not bond as it is cured to much.
Is the liner 45mil EPDM as I'm with Jackie as it is very tough stuff and can't see a pressure washer doing the damage unless you have a monster of a pressure washer. !wow!

[Ron C]

Okay it looks like I have solved the problems. It turned out the leak was actually about four cuts in the liner, all within about a two inch area. I found some patches for pond liners at a local garden shop. Got it home and looked at it, it is just single sided tape. I already had some. I cleaned the area, let it dry, then prepped it with firestone primer, let that set a few minutes, then applied the tape, and started filling. That was yesterday, so far it doesn't look like I lost any water today, and it has been full for a little over 24 hours.

Thanks for all the help.

Edit: oh yeah it is 45 mil EPDM. I had the nozzle right next to the liner and it definately did the damage. I was using the nozzle that sprays a single steam with a 2200 psi pressure washer. I now know better than to use that nozzle, or at least not to let it get that close to the liner.

[OttawaPonder]

I know from reading above you had already fixed your leak but I thought I share this any ways...

I guess I am old school when it comes to patching a leak. :grin:

Just like patching an intertube of a, car or bike, tire.

If it where a an intertube I first use brakeclean to clean the entire surface around the leak.
On a Pond liner I use rubbing Alcohol instead of the brakeclean.
Then I use a scuffer to scuff the rubber surface.
If I was using some old liner as a patch I scuff that as well.
If the Pond liner I was patching was a water garden I use the glue that Firestone has for patching tires. (Not to sure how it go over with fish - Someone PLEASE chime in if you have used it on a fish pond liner and the outcome tks)
I would place glue on both the area of the liner where the leak was and on the home made patch (from old liner material).
Then I do the "old trick" of lighting the glue. YES!!
But only on the home made patch. Then blow it out and quickly place it over the leak(s) and roll it or press it out.

Now if I were using a tire patch, note they come in all shapes and sizes at most auto part stores, and already has glue on it. I light the glue on the liner only - HOWEVER be carefull should you try this and blow it out fast. This way you are sure not to soften the area of the liner to much. Then place the patch on like before and roll it or press it out.

Hope this is helpfull

[Busy B]

Hints are always useful!

I've got the Zavian? liner...after the moose put holes in it, we used a heat gun..it worked..get to do it again this spring.

[BonnieIN]

Glad you got it taken care of Ron.
Do you think that the liner was weak in that area or already had small slits started and the power washer finished the job?

Do you have rocks in that area?

Bonnie

[Wulff]

Ive used my power washer on my liner a few times with nary a hitch, although the separtion between nozzle and liner was nil. Ive had as little as 4 inches separation as did no damage.

Im trying to find a small leak myself and so far no luck and like you Ron it seems to be right at the level of my shelf. I did find a couple spots where due to the fold in the liner and some gaps in the rock work,my liner had shifted a little but I guess with water thats all it takes...A little back fill and that was that.

Assuming I do find a leak Ive been wondering about patching myself. I have a couple of squares of a premade liner patch but dont have alot of confidence in its sealing ability ( back side is tacky).

Ian, would Silicone work as both an adhesive for the patch/liner and then again around the seam of the patch once its in place?