Again and again one hears that one can also weld pond liners oneself. You can find out in our article whether this is possible, which foils are suitable for self-welding and which requirements must be met for this.
Pond liner can be welded, but it's not worth the effort
welding foils
As a rule, foils are glued. Welding is an option, but it takes a lot of work and is almost impossible to do yourself.
Welding before laying
Pond liners are usually welded by the manufacturer. Therefore, an exact one is already required for the order pond plan with all depth information and transverse dimensions necessary so that the foil can be produced in exactly the right dimensions.
The manufacturer then welds the sheets together to form a complete film. Industrial welding methods are used for this that you cannot use yourself. This is the only way to ensure a high level of seam tightness.
welding for repair
Welding methods could possibly be used as an alternative to gluing in case of damage, although this is not common. When welding, it is important to work very carefully and absolutely professionally.
can be welded only PVC foils, welding is not possible for other types of film. For a clean and tight connection you will have to work with so-called solvent welding agents.
Important when welding
- they are only allowed to weld when the outside temperature is high enough
- the film must be clean and completely dry
- You should only weld liners that are not too badly worn or decomposed (PVC often changes after just a few years in the pond, the reduction in plasticizers then makes the liner brittle and often leaks)
- Heat sources (smoking, open fire, etc.) must be avoided when welding
- make sure to let the solvent welding agent dry sufficiently according to the manufacturer's instructions, otherwise the tightness of the connection cannot be guaranteed
- Welded areas must always be weighted down under pressure so that the connection is later tight.
A tip is to simply dissolve pieces of the foil in solvent welding agent, especially when repairing, and then use this solution for sealing. This ensures an even better seal. Note that solvent welding agents are very aggressive and should not come into contact with your eyes or skin.
tips
Repairing EPDM liners in the pond is much easier by simply using liquid liner. You should also glue PVC foils rather than weld them - the only exception: if you want to make your own pond liner from individual strips.