An Introduction to Pond Coatings
Having a man-made pond on your property, whether it is a residential property in a rural setting or the suburbs, or even a commercial property, such as an office park, is always a nice addition. You can create a range of unique ponds, add some plants or wildlife, and essentially create your own little serene oasis. Of course, it is vital that you have a pond that is constructed properly before you ever add any water to it. This includes having the right pond coatings applied properly.
What Is a Pond Coating?
The coating essentially acts as a barrier between the water that you have in the pond and the concrete below. If you were to simply put water directly into the concrete pond, it will eventually start leaking. The coating works as a means of ensuring your pond does not suffer from these leaks. While there is still the possibility of a leak forming, even with quality pond coatings, the risks are lower. There will be fewer leaks, and they tend to be far smaller and easier to repair.
Many types of coatings are on the market today that claim to be waterproof. However, that does not mean they are all suitable for use with your pond. You need to make sure the product you choose is specifically for use within manmade ponds. It not only needs to be waterproof, but it also needs to be non-toxic. If it has toxic chemicals in it, the plants and fish that you put into the pond will likely die, and it could poison wildlife and even pets from the neighborhood that stop by for a drink.
Application of the Pond Coating
The pond coating is simple to apply, fortunately, and you can do the entire project on your own if you wish. Once you have poured the concrete into the hole, you must let it set and cure. If you have used an accelerator in the concrete, this will generally only take about a week. Without an accelerator, it will take upwards of a month. You must wait for it to cure so there is no remaining moisture in the concrete, as this could cause leaks, especially if it gets below freezing in your area during the winter.
Once it is set, you will clean the pond to remove any dirt or debris. You need to make sure the coating does not have any debris between it and the concrete, or this could be a source for a leak later. After cleaning thoroughly, you can then apply the pond coating just as you would a layer of paint. Just use a brush or roller, making sure you give the pond complete coverage. You can add pond paint once the pond coating is dry, and once it is all dry, you can start to add water.
Pond coatings are a vital part of getting your pond set up properly. Make sure you have the right coating, and that you follow all the instructions on the packaging to ensure proper coverage.
