Pond Repair
Pond Leak Repair Contractor
Serving Old Bridge, Matawan, Monmouth County-NJ
Also Serving Middlesex & Ocean County-NJ
Liberty’s Pavers, Ponds & Water Features LLC
Leak Detection & Repair Services
First, it should be known, that 90% of all leaks, in the Old Bridge, Matawan, Monmouth, Middlesex & Ocean County-NJ area, occur in the stream and/ or waterfall edges. Check these areas for wet spots when the ground is dry. Leaks in these areas are likely due to the buildup of debris or plant growth, in stream-forming dams. This raises the level of the water in the streams and consequently overflows the sides. Settling of rock—on the edges of streams and waterfalls pulls the liner down, subsequently allowing water to leak out the sides of the stream and/or waterfall.
These problems can usually be solved by adding additional soil, under the liner/rocks, to build up the edges of the stream. Never should rocks be used under the liner to build up the edges. This is asking for trouble and additional leaks. If there is water behind the liner where it attaches to the bio-falls at the head of the stream or waterfall, it is likely the seal at that spot has been compromised and will require professional repairs. If no leak is found in the stream/waterfall…Bummer!
The leak detection process has just become much more difficult, timely, and expensive. At some point in the following process, it should be determined whether it would be more cost-effective to have the old liner professionally removed out of the pond(s) and replaced, or continue to search for any leak or leaks, on your Old Bridge, Matawan, Monmouth, Middlesex & Ocean County-NJ area pond or water feature. Constants: If at any time it rains, no matter how little the amount, the process should be restarted at the last fully completed step. At least 24 hours should pass after rainfall before marking the level that the water stabilizes at. (Stops going down). Nothing, such as rocks, fish, or plants is to be added, taken out, or even moved in the pond(s). It is critical all measurements are accurate, and documented using a timeline. example: “It took 2 days for the pond to drop 5 inches”.
Process:
- Start by turning off the water feature. Fill the pond to the full or slightly overfull level. This should be 1 inch below the top of the skimmer opening, or the level that your drain or pond low edge is located. In hot weather, an aerator may be used to provide sufficient oxygen levels for the fish in the pond(s). Ensure that water is at least 1” below the top of the skimmer opening. If it isn’t, fill that line.
- Allow Pond to sit for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours be sure no water is moving from pond to pond, or waterfall/ stream to pond. If this is occurring, continue waiting until this stops.
- Mark water level on skimmer or stone using a permanent marker or wax pencil.
- Wait 24 hours and document what happens.
- When the water level stabilizes, (stops going down) for 24 hrs. Then document water level in the pond(s) ****remember if it rains at all and an additional 24 hours should be given before marking the stopping level of the water****.
- The water level should not go down more than 1” past the top of the skimmer opening in 24 hours. If the water does go down past the full level on the skimmer, a leak is at the perimeter of the water level once the water stops going down for 24 hours. This could be a hole in the liner, or a crack in the concrete pond/fountain. If water drops less than one inch, the leak is likely to occur due to the low edge in the liner.
What to do if the water level stops at the thickness of spillway rock, and/or 1 inch below the top of the skimmer opening for 24 hours? If this occurs, you can figure out that the pond(s) are holding water, and the leak is occurring somewhere in the plumbing or stream/ waterfall. Due to the material needed for the following, professional help is recommended from this point on.
- Start by attaching the pipe from the pump in the skimmer.
- If you have a multi-pond setup, put the pipe in the first pond above the skimmer pond. Run the pump for 24 hours to evaluate water loss. The water level in the lower pond will go down initially, due to water required to fill the upper pond spilling over spillway rock. Do not mark the level of water in the lower pond until the pump is running for 5 minutes. Mark the water level in the lower pond. If the water level goes down in the lower pond, the leak is in the spillway area. Water should continue to go down until the pump is sucking air. If the water level remains constant for 24 hours after your 5-minute mark, proceed to step three.
- Put the end of the pipe at the top of the stream in the bio-falls if you have one or at the beginning of the stream. Fill the pond to 1 inch below the top of the skimmer opening.
- Run feature, if the water level drops, the leak is in plumbing, or the liner is not attached to bio-falls correctly.
- If after 24 hours, the water level has not dropped in the lower pond, move the pipe downstream approximately 5 feet. Wait 24 hours if the lower pond level does not go down, the leak is not in the 5 feet from the top of the stream to the current location of pipe outflow. If the water level does go down, the leak is in the 5’ from the top of the stream to the outflow of the pipe.
- Continue step 5 in 5’ increments over and over moving down the stream until the leak is in the liner. Congratulations! You have located the first leak. Don’t assume because you found a leak that it is the only leak. If the leak was located during the detection process it is possible there is more than one leak. All leaks can be prevented when proper installation techniques are used. Shifting of rock can cause a leak years after a new installation. Select your next installer wisely.
Liberty’s Pavers, Ponds & Water Features LLC
Leak Detection Options and Pricing:
Option 1:
You locate the leak(s) and you fix them. We provide you with “The Complete Leak Detection Process” document at no cost to you. A document, in layman’s terms, with a complete set of instructions on how to locate your leak(s). As you go further in the process, some tools of the trade may be required for you to continue with the process. Most, if not all of these items, can be purchased at your local, Old Bridge, Matawan, Monmouth, Middlesex & Ocean County-NJ area, home improvement warehouse. As you proceed through the process, and the leak is located, many times it can be as simple as patching a bicycle tire or as complicated as resealing or replacing a liner. Always keep in mind, that there is no guarantee there is only one leak.
Additional items you will want to know
- BE PATIENT. Our step-by-step process takes time.
- FOLLOW the Complete Leak Detection Process exactly.
- HANDS OFF! Our step-by-step process requires the water feature to run untouched for you to accurately locate the leak(s). Any rocks that are moved or water added will void the process and you will have to start over.
- AN AERATOR. If you decide to take this on by yourself, during the summer it is a good idea to add an aerator when your pump is turned off. This will give your fish the oxygen they need to survive.
Option 2:
You invite us to your location to do an Exploratory Inspection. The cost of this visit is $350 and is payable in advance. We may be able to locate and fix the problem on this visit, but this is unlikely. With a professional inspection, we will be sure to inspect all the components of the water feature. At the end of the visit, we will be able to present a solution/s to fix the problem, which may include, a plumbing repair or a complete liner replacement.
Option 3:
The last option is Liner Replacement and/or rebuild. This will likely be the most expensive option, but it is a guaranteed fix for the area we replace.
