ARE YOU EXPERIENCING WATER LOSS ON YOUR POND?

Are you experiencing water loss on your pond?

Backyard ponds are often constructed of either a rubber liner or concrete. With So-Cal’s constantly shifting ground, stress can be caused on the main body of the pond, waterfall, or stream. This stress can create water loss on your pond. 

In our experience, koi ponds or water gardens that are 5 years or older often experience some sort of water loss.

Some common causes or water loss are

• Root penetration – Roots often penetrate the skimmer or filter and occasionally the liner
• Rodent activity – Rodents chewing a hole through the liner or plumbing
• Heavy Debris – Heavy debris on the waterfall or streams can divert water away from the desire path
• Faulty plumbing – cracked, damages or loose plumbing can lead to water loss

Root Penetration

In a mature landscape there is most likely mature trees or shrubs that a pond contractor may have to work around when designing and installing a new pond. These mature trees and shrubs have a pretty well-established root system. The roots are constantly looking for water. Eventually, these roots will make their way near the pond and sooner or later into the pond, whether it’s over or through the liner, skimmer, or waterfall filter. 

Once the roots are in the pond you may begin to experience water loss. The roots not only pull water out of the pond to provide water to the plant they are connected to, but also wick water out via their root system. It's similar to how a sponge would wick water. The roots wick out the water, saturating the surrounding landscape, which only encourages additional roots to make their way to the pond and exacerbate the situation. Root penetration can be responsible for 100% of the water loss in some cases.

Rodent Activity

Rodents, oh the rodents. Rats, squirrels, rabbits, gopher and moles all need water and a safe place to call home. Unfortunately, ponds provide that safe place.

We see all too often improper compaction around the edges of ponds, streams, and mostly under the waterfalls. If the pond contractor who built your pond has experience, they would know that the area needs to be thoroughly compacted. This prevents settling, which would provide that safe little home the rodents are looking for. 

Once the rodents make their way under or behind the liner of the pond or waterfall, it is a matter of time before they want to expand their little dirt condo and add a room. They dig out the dirt and chew through the liner. Once this happens it's usually a large and easily noticeable water loss.  This can sometimes be repaired. However, other times the area may need to be rebuilt. 

Heavy Debris

Leaves, twigs, and other plant matter can easily block a stream or waterfall area and divert the water out of the intended path. This will cause water loss.  We usually see this type of issue in the winter and beginning of spring. It occurs after the leaves have fallen from the trees or the new weaker branches are heavy with new leaves.  The leaves or branches create a little dam which causes the water to back up and leak over the side of the stream. Sometimes it may be a small drip and other times a steady stream of water. Either way, this is water loss. 

Faulty Plumbing

In older, smaller, or DIY ponds a simple tubing may be used for the supply lines from the pond pump to the pond filter and waterfall. These lines sometimes become brittle from sun exposure, the cold, or the heat which make the tubing stiff or brittle. This eventually leads to a crack and water loss.  PVC pipe which is commonly used in koi ponds and water gardens, if not properly installed can leak. It may even blow apart if it's under too much pressure. This could be catastrophic as the entire pond could drain in just a few minutes which would lead to… well a horrible site. 

A simple water leak or drip can add up to hundreds of gallons lost a day. This loss can negatively affect not only the pond, but the landscape, and your bank account. If you think you may be experiencing water loss please call us today to set up a pond inspection before it gets out of hand!