Many people don't like the idea of lining a pond with PVC film. The question often arises as to whether there is a natural alternative to pond liner. You can find out in detail what options are available here in our article.
What alternatives are there to PVC pond liner?
Alternatives to conventional PVC pond liner are the environmentally friendly EPDM film, liquid film or a natural clay seal. EPDM film is characterized by high flexibility, durability and stretchability, while liquid film and clay seals offer particularly environmentally friendly and natural options.
Disadvantages of PVC films
There are enough concerns about the PVC film commonly used for pond construction:
- the plasticizers and other substances contained can evaporate
- PVC film represents a significant burden on the environment, and its disposal even more so
- The use of PVC film is very questionable in fish ponds or ponds with aquatic life
- PVC changes chemically as plasticizers evaporate and becomes brittle
- Repairs to PVC films are often no longer possible after just a few years due to the change in material
In most cases, concerns about PVC film primarily concern the environmental aspects of PVC and the possible he alth effects, for example on aquatic life.
EPDM as an alternative
The significantly more expensive EPDM film is already an excellent alternative to conventional pond liners:
- It is significantly more environmentally friendly and does not emit any pollutants
- it remains highly flexible even in the cold
- it is extremely stretchy (up to 300% stretch)
- it is highly tear-resistant
- it has an extremely long service life (up to 50 years, often a 20-year guarantee is given)
- she's easy to misplace
- It can be repaired at any time and easily with liquid pond liner
EPDM film is also highly recommended as an ecological alternative due to its technical properties.
Liquid film as an alternative
Liquid film is now used almost exclusively as a repair material. However, it can also be used as a sole seal.
Due to its extremely high flexibility, it adapts perfectly to the shape of the pond, is compatible with drinking water and does not harm living creatures in the pond. Its extensibility is even higher than that of EPDM (up to 400%) and it is even more tear-resistant. However, it can only be used on very smooth surfaces - such as concrete or tiles, alternatively smooth stones are sometimes possible.
The content of polyurethane and silane-modified polymers (SMP) may still be a bit worrying for some people when it comes to environmental compatibility and naturalness.
Clay waterproofing
The pond is sealed here using a clay barrier, very similar to how you do it when building walls. You can either use moist clay blocks or swelling clay granules.
Swelling clay granules, as a dry material, are significantly lighter than wet clay and, when wet, combine automatically to form a stable layer of clay. The clay blocks, on the other hand, must first be connected by tamping to form a stable clay layer.
The necessary layer thickness is at least 15 - 20 cm, the soil underneath must be compacted. After the granules have been introduced, they are covered with around 10 cm of sand, followed by a fine layer of gravel for stabilization. The granules are then first moistened and then the water is slowly added. After around 5 hours the barrier layer is sealed.
Tip
Especially the alternative with clay ensures a very natural garden pond without any technical foreign materials in it. It is the most natural alternative available so far.
