A good quality pond liner should last 20 years or longer with no leaks and little maintenance. Installation issues or low quality liners obviously lower this figure significantly. Damage from animals and tree roots can also suddenly cut short the lifespan of an otherwise durable liner. Design your pond to protect its liner from damage. Using underlayments, removing trees at the edge of the pond, and spending a little time on pest control each year can help your pond liners last as many decades as possible. With care and protection from UV light, a pond liner may last 40 years or longer.
Don’t expect a pond liner to last this long if you buy one made from PVC or EPDM. These liners both tend to last a decade at the most and require a lot of care and attention to avoid leaking for that long. RPE and RPP liners are more likely to last for decades thanks to the reinforced design that prevents tearing and stretching. Spending more on a durable and UV resistant liner during pond installation will pay off by giving you years of enjoyment before needing replacement. Since replacing a leaking pond liner is a major chore, you’ll appreciate being able to go twenty of years or longer before replacing it.
