Any ideas to stop a leaking pond ****?

[Jeff244]

Meadowlarkponds,

The guy who put the pond in stopped out and he said exactly what you did, that the bentonite would most likely not work. He said to keep monitoring the bulge and wet areas and if there is any change for the worse, the dam would need to be repaired. We are supposed to get some heavy rain early next week so I will keep an eye on things and see what happens. From what I have been reading, it seems that a large percentage of clay dams do leak. The wet area does not extend to the bottom of the dam and there is no sign of flowing water so it can't be that bad of a leak at this point.


Thanks,
Jeff

 

[meadowlarkponds]

I'd say they all leak...its just the degree to which they leak that matters....and tends to force a decision on repairs. Most people never even realize they have leaks, they are so small.

I agree with your pond guy....but watch it carefully, especially for any trends for worsening. Things (bad things) can happen very fast once a situation becomes unstable and water, as you know, will always find the lowest level.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[dereklawler]

I think you may need to cement the leak first and then pour a coat of "gel?" over the part. When hardened, the "gel" will prevent leaks. I think it is just like the coat of "gel" poured over your bathroom floor. It is below the concrete slabs on the floor. It is waterproof.

 

[Nooodles]

I think you may need to cement the leak first and then pour a coat of "gel?" over the part. When hardened, the "gel" will prevent leaks. I think it is just like the coat of "gel" poured over your bathroom floor. It is below the concrete slabs on the floor. It is waterproof.

I'm sure he fixed it by now because its been 5 years since the thread

 

[Soundguy]

gotta love the zombie threads..

 

[Gordo 56]

How old timers used to fix a leaky pond was by draining the pond and then put some hogs in there and from their wallowing would seal up the leaks. To keep the hogs in there they would just throw some corn in with them. If you have ever seen a spot where hogs wallow water doesn't drain from those spots.

 

[EddieWalker]

I think you may need to cement the leak first and then pour a coat of "gel?" over the part. When hardened, the "gel" will prevent leaks. I think it is just like the coat of "gel" poured over your bathroom floor. It is below the concrete slabs on the floor. It is waterproof.

What "gel" is used on bathroom floors?

The problem with pouring concrete into the leak is that you have to know where the leak is. Finding the leak is always the hardest part!!! If you can find the leak, packing clay into the hole and mixing it in with the other soil is always the best solution. Pouring concrete into wont work, the water will work its way around the concrete, and continue out the same hole.

I've heard the stories about hogs rooting around and fixing a leak, but I have a feeling that's one of those stories that based on somebody who got lucky and not something that is successful very often. Having a pet hog, I can tell you that no matter how big the empty pond is, he will find the spot he likes that already has just the right amount of water in it and then roll around in just that spot. When my 3/4 acre pond dried up, he was in there every day, several times a day, and always used the same spot.

Did he ever fix the leak? Any more posts about this or from him?

Eddie

 

[Soundguy]

havn't seen anymore onthe subject.. and yeah.. I agree witht he clay. I've always used bentonite, and worked it in to make patches.. or make retaining ponds.. etc..

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm sure he fixed it by now because its been 5 years since the thread

Id sure like to know the outcome. My thot based on original info is that the bulge may have been just natural swelling of dry clay as it was dampenrd by seepage. May have been a long term stable low level condition.
larry