Some pond liners work well for all uses, but others are strictly limited to specific applications. Choosing the wrong liner by mismatching its properties to your project’s demands could result in early failure and costly repairs. It’s important to choose materials that match your specific needs so the liner can last for decades. Determining the final use of the pond before selecting a liner is essential for durability and easy installation.
Depth and Bank Slope
Each liner material varies in its ability to work at certain depths and on specific amounts of slope. Steeply sloped banks usually require anchored liners that seal tightly around the fasteners driven into the soil. For ponds with gentle slopes on the bank to reduce soil collapse, a wider range of liner options work well. Most flexible liner materials work well at various depths in ponds and lakes, but some materials are too thin to withstand the frost heave effect occurring under very shallow bodies of water. Shallow ponds also expose the liners to greater amounts of UV rays.
UV Exposure
Speaking of UV exposure, many flexible pond liners break down rapidly when installed in a way that exposes them to direct sunlight. Water tends to concentrate the light traveling through it, accelerating the breakdown of materials that aren't designed to handle this effect. This is one of the biggest reasons to invest in a product specifically sold as a pond liner rather than trying to repurpose some other plastic or rubber material. Multi-layered RPE, in particular, is highly UV resistant without requiring extra chemicals that could damage fish or plant growth. The AquaArmor liner, here at BTL Liners, is fabricated specifically to deal with high UV exposure applications.
Wastewater Handling
Wastewater produced by manufacturing, power plants, drilling, mining, or sewage treatment facilities all pose specific challenges to the liners used in holding ponds. Chemical components in these water mixtures can accelerate the breakdown of the liner, resulting in leaks that contaminate the soil and water around the ponds. Other waste sludges include abrasive ingredients that grind against the liner material to contribute wear and tear over time. Reinforced liner materials work best for these mechanical damage risks, while the chemical resistance of multi-layered RPE makes it the top choice for a wide range of holding and evaporation ponds. ArmorPro liners from BTL Liners are the perfect choice for these projects.
Water Quality
Maintaining high water quality for potable water storage or fish farming isn’t always easy. The liner chosen for the pond plays a large role in how much the pH balance, dissolved oxygen, and temperature fluctuates in the pond. If the liner is installed in an exposed fashion with no soil or mineral cover, the pond won’t develop the bacterial and plankton growth necessary to maintain good water quality. Some liners release chemicals directly into the water, even when buried under soil, which can damage fish and plants or kill them off entirely.
AquaArmor from BTL Liners is a unique pond liner material because it manages to work for most applications despite varying challenges. By offering high chemical and UV resistance, a fish-safe formulation, and high durability all in the same package, this multi-layered RPE liner manages to do it all. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about using it for any kind of pond project you’re currently planning. If you’re still trying to figure out which type of liner is right for your pond, we can also help by offering our expert advice.
