FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What should you consider when buying a pond liner?

    There are various types of pond liners, each with its own specific properties. Essential criteria include: watertightness, flexibility to conform to the ground, weather resistance, and tolerance to flora and fauna. All other criteria must also be aligned with your budget. It is crucial that you measure your pond liner before ordering, as it is rectangular and insufficient overlap may result in an inadequate fit.
  2. What is the difference between EPDM pond liner and PVC pond liner?

    EPDM pond liners are made of synthetic rubber – similar to bicycle or car tires. They possess excellent mechanical properties (usable from -45°C to well over 200°C, elongation up to 300%, memory effect). This type of liner has a crucial advantage: it is UV-resistant (and thus withstands years of direct sunlight) and therefore extremely durable. This property results from the incorporation of carbon black during production, which gives the film its characteristic blackish appearance. The contents of the liner are not released, making this pond liner completely environmentally friendly and harmless to people, animals, and plants in the pond. Sealing the pond with this liner is a quick and easy process. Damage can be easily repaired with very simple tools (similar to patching a bicycle tire). PVC pond liners are made of plastic. This plastic film (polyvinyl chloride) is used in a variety of production applications. The addition of additives during manufacturing makes the liner acid-resistant and UV-stabilized. It has good root compatibility, is cadmium-free, and is available in various colors. The incorporation of the material also allows for greater stability and elasticity.
  3. How do the prices for pond liners vary?

    Pond liners are available on the market to suit different budgets and specific projects. Whether you choose EPDM or PVC, we recommend a minimum thickness of 1.00 mm to ensure the liner's durability over many years. PVC pond liners are more affordable and can be purchased in various colors for a small additional cost. EPDM pond liners, on the other hand, are characterized by higher quality, durability, and UV resistance.
  4. How is the required foil size calculated?

    The length and width of the pond liner are calculated using the following formula:

    Length/width = length/width of the pond in meters + 2 times the depth (measured at the deepest point of the pond) + 1.0 meter for the edging.
    Measured with a tape measure or string (Only applicable if the pond has already been dug):

    • Locate the longest or widest point of your pond.
    • From this position, walk 50 cm in a straight line away from the edge of the pond and secure the measuring tape or string.
    • Then pull the string to the opposite side of the pond and walk 50 cm away from the edge of the pond there as well.

    Important to note!
    Before ordering, it is essential to double-check the dimensions with a tape measure or ruler. Please note: The supplied film is rectangular. If sufficient overlap is not taken into account, there is a risk that the dimensions you have calculated will not be adequate.

    Tip:
    It is advisable to plan somewhat more generously in order to avoid manual adjustments (which can be associated with higher costs).
  5. Which pond liner is suitable for a koi pond?

    For koi ponds, we strongly recommend using EPDM pond liner, which is made from synthetic rubber. This pond liner offers a number of advantages:
    • It is characterized by its long durability.
    • It possesses high elasticity.
    • It is ozone and UV resistant.
    • Environmental friendliness is particularly important for koi ponds. The pond liner has been tested for compatibility with fish and plants, guaranteeing that no harmful substances are released. This makes it safe for humans, plants, animals, and especially suitable for koi and other fish species.
  6. Who will install my pond liner?

    The installation of your pond liner can be carried out by professional pond builders or landscaping companies. However, in private gardens, especially with natural ponds (without concrete walls), it is common to install the pond liner yourself.
  7. How can I create my own garden pond or ornamental pond?

    These are merely recommendations, and we cannot guarantee success. After excavating and determining the pond's shape, you should define the shallow water area, with a recommended depth of approximately one meter. The soil should be free of gravel, sharp stones, or similar material. Any unevenness can best be leveled with sand. Insert our plastic stakes approximately every 50 cm and ensure they are at the same height, as the pond edging will later be attached to them. Next, lay the protective underlay with a 10 cm overlap. The underlay should be lightly weighted at the edges to prevent it from slipping when laying the pond liner. Unroll the pond liner and allow the sealing membrane to rest for about 30 minutes before laying the liner without tension. It is important not to attach the liner to the pond edging yet. Now slowly begin filling the pond, allowing you time to make any necessary adjustments. Finally, fold the liner over the pond edging. Now you can design the interior of the pond. Please refer to the operating instructions when installing the filter and pump. When designing the exterior, avoid planting rhizome-forming plants, such as bamboo, in the immediate vicinity. If necessary, surround them with a rhizome barrier before planting. Lawn can be planted right up to the pond's edge. Excess pond liner can be covered with topsoil, grass, or sand. Now your project is complete, and you can let your creativity flow outside the pond.
  8. How is pond liner installed and what steps are necessary to prepare the substrate?

    The ground should be compacted, clean, level, and free of sharp edges. Remove stones, loose foreign materials, vegetation, roots, oil residues, grease, and any organic or compressed elements from the subsoil. It is also advisable to fill any small cavities. To protect the pond liner, a pond underlayment is placed between the subsoil and the liner. Ensure that the underlayment is lightly weighted down at the edges to prevent it from shifting during installation of the pond liner.
  9. Is it possible to install the pond liner immediately after receiving it?

    Our recommendation is to let the pond liner rest for about 30 minutes after unrolling and spreading it out, to give the sealing membrane time to relax.
  10. How can pond liner be repaired to fix a hole or tear?

    A special repair kit is available for repairing EPDM pond liners. The repair process begins with thoroughly cleaning the liner. After a short drying time, a bonding primer (Quickprime Plus) is applied, followed by placing a repair tape (FormFlash) over the damaged area. We recommend sealing the edges of the repair tape with LapSealand. Please note that these repairs can only be carried out in dry conditions.

    Regarding the PVC pond liner, the manufacturer states that it can be welded within the first year, regardless of whether hot air or cold welding methods are used. After this period, repairs are no longer possible. However, you can attempt to repair small areas using MagicPower adhesive and a piece of PVC liner. Please note, however, that we cannot guarantee the watertightness or durability of this type of repair. Suitable pieces of PVC liner in the desired color, as well as MagicPower adhesive, are available in our shop.
  11. What type of pond liner should be used in a raised bed?

    Our recommendation for extending the lifespan of your raised bed is to use EPDM pond liner. This environmentally friendly liner protects your wood from rapid rotting.
  12. What should I do if my delivered goods are damaged?

    It is advisable to inspect the delivered goods for damage and completeness in the presence of the delivery driver. If you discover any damage, note it in writing and have the driver sign the note. It is important that you keep a copy of this note. Should the driver refuse or claim that all damage has been recorded for the shipping company, ask for a copy or photograph the document. Otherwise, we recommend that you do not accept any damaged goods and under no circumstances sign for them. Please then contact us, ideally with photos of the damaged goods and the driver's written note. We will address your issue immediately.
  13. How is the film packaged and delivered, and how should it be spread out?

    The liner is folded and rolled, either as a single package (up to 40 kg) or packed on a pallet. The length and width of the liner are marked with arrows on the packaging to indicate how it should be oriented. Place the roll in the pond and unroll it. The width should be folded approximately one-third to the left and two-thirds to the right.
  14. How do pond liner and carport liner differ from each other?

    The membranes are made from different material compositions. The carport membrane is specifically certified and tested by the manufacturer for carports and open garages, while the pond liner is specifically designed for underwater use in ponds. The carport membrane is ideal for sealing carports, garages, garden sheds, balconies, patios, and open garages, provided your project is not subject to commercial flat roof regulations. Furthermore, the carport membrane is very well suited for extensive green roofs, gravel coverings, or the renovation of existing roofs.
  15. What is meant by extensive roof greening?

    Extensively planted roofs represent the lower-maintenance option for green roofs. These systems utilize plant communities such as mosses and grasses, which are naturally well-suited to the prevailing climatic conditions, including sun, wind, and drought. Additional irrigation is unnecessary. Extensive green roofs have a low profile of up to approximately 20 cm and a low weight per unit area, making them suitable even for pitched roofs. Typically, only one or two maintenance visits per year are required. To enhance water retention, we recommend installing a 300 g/m² geotextile underlayment beneath the membrane.
  16. Can EPDM pond liner be purchased without seams?

    Due to its wide range of production sizes, EPDM pond liners can often be delivered in a single piece. However, it is technically impossible to manufacture a liner without any seams, as these seams are created during the production process through welding, or more precisely, vulcanization. This process fuses two layers of liner together. These seams are generally barely visible or disruptive. Therefore, the factory seams of EPDM pond liners are guaranteed.

    The EPDM pond liner can therefore be easily extended or repaired, similar to a bicycle tire, by joining individual sections together. We offer a suitable repair kit in our shop for repairs, while for joining, we recommend the appropriate primer and seam tape.
  17. What thickness of EPDM membrane do I need?

    The required thickness of the pond liner depends on the size and characteristics of the pond. A rule of thumb is that the deeper the pond, the thicker the liner should be. We recommend the following thicknesses depending on the water depth:
    • Up to 0.70 m depth = 1.0 mm thickness
    • Between 0.70 m and 1.40 m depth = 1.1 mm thickness
    • From a depth of 1.50 m = 1.5 mm thickness
  18. How much does EPDM pond liner weigh?

    The weight of EPDM pond liner varies depending on its thickness as follows:
    • Thickness 1.0 mm: approx. 1.25 kg/m²
    • Thickness 1.1 mm: approx. 1.30 kg/m²
    • Thickness 1.2 mm: approx. 1.50 kg/m²
    • Thickness 1.5 mm: approx. 1.95 kg/m²
  19. What is the lifespan of EPDM pond liner?

    Warranty for the material: 50 years if installed correctly.
  20. Which side of the EPDM pond liner should face upwards?

    The EPDM pond liner can be installed on either side. However, it's important to note that the serial number is printed on one side. You can place this side facing up to always identify the liner type. The serial number will only be faintly visible after the pond is filled.
  21. Is the EPDM pond liner a single, continuous piece, or are sections joined together?

    The EPDM pond liner is manufactured by the producer from individual sheets through vulcanization. This can result in factory seams, which, however, do not affect the quality or watertightness of the liner. Minor dents, nicks, or traces of mica may also be present on the surface of the liner. These are not considered manufacturing defects, as they do not affect the mechanical properties, watertightness, or durability of the EPDM membrane. Talc is used during manufacturing to prevent the individual sheets from sticking together. In some cases, a white layer or mica may be found on the liner, but this also has no impact on its quality or watertightness. Factory seams, nicks, and mica are barely, if at all, visible in a finished pond.
  22. Is it possible to obtain seamless PVC pond liner?

    PVC pond liner is manufactured exclusively in widths of 2 meters, which is why larger sections must be joined together by welding. This is done either by hot air welding or by cold welding using a solvent welding agent.
  23. How much does PVC pond liner weigh?

    • Thickness 0.5 mm: approx. 0.65 kg/m²
    • Thickness 1.00 mm: approx. 1.30 kg/m²
    • Thickness 1.50 mm: approx. 1.95 kg/m²
    • Thickness 2.00 mm: approx. 2.30 kg/m²
  24. How long does PVC pond liner last?

    The material warranty for PVC pond liner is 10 years, provided it has been professionally installed.
  25. Which side of the PVC pond liner should face upwards?

    The PVC pond liner can be installed on either side. It has one smooth and one rough side. Algae can grow on the smooth surface, while deposits can form on the rough surface. These deposits can contain bacteria, which can be beneficial in certain cases, especially if you are creating a swimming pond. However, when designing a koi pond, you should pay attention to which side faces upwards.
  26. How is PVC pond liner welded?

    PVC pond liners are welded either by hot air welding or using a cold welding process with solvent welding agent. Depending on the desired size, the pond liner is welded in one piece during manufacturing.
  27. Is the PVC pond liner a single, continuous piece or is it welded together?

    The PVC pond liner is manufactured by the producer in a width of 2 meters. We weld the liner to the desired size using an automated hot-wedge welding process.
  28. Can PVC pond liner be used to seal a roof terrace and is it UV-resistant?

    The PVC pond liner is UV-stable, but not permanently UV-resistant. This means that it can become porous over time (we cannot give an exact timeframe). For this reason, we recommend an EPDM carport membrane for sealing your roof terrace instead.
  29. Why should you use pond liner?

    To ensure the maximum lifespan of your pond liner, we recommend using a pond underlayment, which is laid between the ground and the liner. This allows you to safely enter the pond, for example, for cleaning.
  30. How thick is the fleece?

    It is difficult to specify an exact thickness, as the weight of the nonwoven fabric depends on its density, which can vary. However, we can offer the following guidelines:
    • 300 g/m² corresponds to a thickness of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mm.
    • 500 g/m² corresponds to a thickness of approximately 3.5 to 4.5 mm.
    • 1000 g/m² corresponds to a thickness of approximately 6.0 to 7.5 mm.
  31. What strength is recommended?

    The choice of fleece thickness depends on the nature of the substrate. Here are some recommendations:
    • For sandy subsoil and few small stones, we recommend 300 g/m².
    • For stony ground, a thickness of 500 g/m² to 1000 g/m² is sufficient.
  32. Why should you use pond edging tape?

    Our pond edging strip allows for optimal, safe, and durable design of your pond's edge. The strip acts as a capillary barrier, enabling you to control the water level. It separates the pond from the surrounding vegetation and prevents soil from being directly introduced into the pond. Made from recycled plastics, the pond edging strip is quick and easy to install using our ground stakes. We recommend spacing the ground stakes approximately 50 cm apart. The strip is also ideal for edging flower beds, as a lawn border, or for defining patio edges.
  33. How is EPDM pond liner extended?

    Extending the pond liner is straightforward and requires the use of primer and seam tape. The areas to be joined should be lightly roughened, cleaned, and primed on both surfaces. After the primer has partially dried, you can seal the seam with seam tape.
  34. How is EPDM pond liner glued to concrete?

    To bond pond liner to concrete, we offer bonding adhesive in our product range. The surface should be clean, dry, and free of sharp edges and contaminants. The adhesive is applied to both the surface and the pond liner. After the adhesive has sufficiently cured (usually after 15 to 45 minutes), the two surfaces can be bonded together. Please note that the initial contact is permanent, and the liner cannot be repositioned after this step.
  35. Is it possible to use pond liner adhesive underwater?

    Our Magic Power is a high-quality sealant adhesive and can be used for both sealing and repairing minor damage. Repairs can even be carried out underwater. In this case, you should first clean the affected area, apply Magic Power around the hole, and then adhere a piece of EPDM membrane over it.
  36. Replacing pond liner and important considerations. Is it possible to lay a new pond liner over the old one?

    The answer to this question can only be "no" if you don't want to immediately expose your new pond liner to various hazards. Your old pond liner is dirty and covered in small stones. At first glance, the dirt (algae, fine particles, etc.) on the old liner might not seem like a real danger. Rather, it's the sharp or pointed objects that may be embedded within it. Small stones could potentially be forced through the liner under water pressure in a short time.
    Even if you believe you have thoroughly cleaned the pond liner, there is always a residual risk of damaging the new liner. In the past, many old garden ponds were lined with PVC pond liners. If the liner wasn't installed without creases, these creases may have hardened into rigid, stiff areas due to the evaporation of the plasticizer. Anyone installing a new pond liner in this case will very likely be able to see the old creases as imprints.
  37. What are the differences between a koi pond and a goldfish pond?

    The most striking difference between these two pond types, in our opinion, lies in the pond size. Generally, koi owners often view goldfish with skepticism, as goldfish are mistakenly considered beginner fish and can reproduce quickly in a pond. However, Exklusive-Gartenteiche also offers special ponds designed specifically for goldfish. These ponds have nothing in common with ordinary ponds but rather resemble classic koi ponds.
  38. Is it absolutely necessary to use a pond pump and a filter system?

    Yes, definitely!

    A pond pump and filter system are always necessary if you want to clean the pond water of impurities. Mud packs might be used for skin cleansing, but in a garden pond they tend to have detrimental effects.

    A well-matched pond pump and filter system can always have a positive effect on the pond and reduce its daily workload. Teichbedarf24 strongly recommends that every pond owner carefully consider the need for technical support, regardless of the type of pond. Dirt accumulates in every pond.
  39. Is it possible to weld any type of foil?

    PVC film is the easiest to weld and is suitable for both hot air welding and solvent-based welding. FPO film can only be welded with hot air, while EPDM film cannot be welded with hot air. (Please select products from the EPDM film accessories category.)
  40. Is there a distinction between the top and bottom of the foil?

    No, the EPDM liner has a printed type designation that should face upwards so the liner type remains identifiable later. However, it doesn't matter which side is up or down. This also applies to PVC pond liners.
  41. How can I connect the slides together?

    The EPDM pond liner is vulcanized, which means it is glued together. For this you will need seam tape and primer.

    PVC pond liners, on the other hand, are welded. You can use either a hot air welding machine (at temperatures between 410-460°C) or solvent welding agents (in a cold welding process).
  42. Are creases in the foil material after transport a problem during installation?

    The EPDM/PVC films may have creases after transport, which will relax and disappear once the film is laid out. These creases do not damage the film. With PVC films, this process may take slightly longer, but it will be faster in sunny conditions.
  43. Which film has a longer lifespan?

    PVC liners typically last between 12 and 20 years, depending on the amount of sunlight your pond receives. Over time, PVC liners become hard and can become brittle. EPDM rubber liners, on the other hand, can last up to 50 years and are unaffected by sunlight because they are UV-resistant.
  44. What does solvent welding mean?

    Solvent welding refers to the use of cold welding fluid, which is available in a 100 ml dosing bottle. Our cold welding fluid, also known as solvent welding fluid, is used to repair soft PVC items such as truck tarpaulins. This cold welding fluid allows PVC tarpaulins and films to be welded without heating.
  45. How can I dispose of pond liner?

    Free disposal at the local recycling center is usually possible for private individuals, especially for household quantities. Disposing of pond liner as hazardous waste often incurs substantial fees, which can amount to several dozen euros. Different regulations and fees apply to commercial providers.
  46. What is the most effective way to clean pond liner?

    Algae deposits on the pond liner are best removed by carefully brushing them with a suitable brush tool. Alternatively, you can also use a pressure washer or steam cleaner with caution. During the cleaning process, be sure to pump out the dirty water and carefully inspect the liner for any damage.
  47. Can pond liner be used for a pool?

    Pool liners are resistant to chlorine, while pond liners are not. Therefore, it is not recommended to use pond liner for swimming pools.
  48. Which foil is suitable for a raised bed?

    For lining raised beds, it is recommended to use waterproof and rot-resistant films. It is important to pay attention to the material's pollutant content. Dimpled membrane is a good option. Alternatively, films made of PE (polyethylene) or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber can also be used.
  49. How do you lay pond liner without creases?

    Laying pond liner without creases » The best way to do it: To lay a pond liner without creases, you should have enough helpers, unroll the liner correctly and attach it to a pond underlay, straighten out small creases in the pond and weigh down the liner with water and gravel after laying it to achieve optimal adaptation to the substrate.
  50. Can pond liner be overlapped?

    To overlap the pond liner, first lay the ends of the liner parallel to each other. The overlap should be about 15 cm, but at least 10 cm. It is helpful to mark the point where the overlap ends with chalk.