How to install pond liners

<p>Okay, do you&rsquo;ve made the decision to build a pond using flexible <a href="http://www.pondkeeper.co.uk/pond-liners.asp">pond liners</a>. Assuming that you have dug the hole there are a few things to check over. This is not the article to look into pond design but have you got the pond surface as smooth as possible? Are there any sharp edges or loose stones? It pays to make that last bit of effort to clear the ground believe us!</p> <p>Once the ground is as good as you can get it then it&rsquo;s time to lay the <a href="http://www.pondkeeper.co.uk/underlay.asp">pond liner underlay</a>. This will usually be in strips so simply roll out each piece to entirely cover the bare ground. If there is an area you are concerned about, ie, it holds some sharp corners then don&rsquo;t be afraid to treble up on the underlay in these areas. Take your time and cover all of the pond excavation with pond liner underlay. Where the pieces of underlay meet make sure they overlap by a couple of inches to ensure that no bare earth is revealed once the pond liner is installed. If yo are concerned about the pond liner underlay moving once the pondliner is installed just use a few pieces of adhesive tape to ensure the pond liner underlay stays in position.</p> <p>The flexible <a href="http://www.pondkeeper.co.uk/pond-liners.asp">pond liner</a> should be unwrapped and left in the heat of the sun if possible. This will make it &lsquo;looser&rsquo;, more flexible and easier to fill the form of the pond. Be careful not to leave it on grass or it could attract heat and scorch the turf. When ready, simply move the pond liner into position against the pond excavation. Get it into position as roughly as possible then get into the pond excavation itself (shoes off!) to smooth the pond liner into position. Push the pond liner into all the contours, including any planting shelves. Look at any &lsquo;bunches&rsquo; or areas where the pond liner forms pleats abd try to make as smooth as possible. Once you&rsquo;re happy with how the pond liner looks then weigh the perimeter with rocks to keep it in position. You are now ready to introduce the water into your pond.</p>