Thread: New build

Originally Posted by Fishy George

I have started to build a new pond
All dug out
Drains set and pad poured
From top of pad to ground level is some 4ft
Blocks laid flat and coming out of ground a few more feet
My problem is
I have got to ground level and now the bottom course seem to be leaking in (water table ?)
Will it stop or is there something I can do ?
Obviously the weather is a bit damp atm but was trying to get all set up an running by spring to appreciate a season
Look forward to your advice and replies

Sum whole close by at the lowest point and down couple foot deeper with a dirty water pump to drop in to empty .

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Yeah,. exactly that
You dig a little hole next to the pond, that is deeper than the pond. Stick a sump pump in that hole so it pumps out what's in the ground keeping the ground water level lower than your pond floor.

Originally Posted by Fishy George

I understand this idea but the hole would need to be 6 ft deep. And the length of my pond is 10meters

Length dosent matter mate (thank god lol )

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I had the same issue with my build . Getting water ingress around the base of the walls and around the bottom drain .

In hindsight , I should have used a Damp Proof Membrane under the concrete base , which would stop the ingress .

In my case , I was lucky that I managed to turn this into a positive ! My initial plan was to use an epoxy paint on the pond , but being unable to stop the ingress , this was a non-starter . My only option really was to call in the professionals . I used an experienced fibre glasser - who was able to work around the issue . Basically , they dried out the affected area with a propane torch and glassed it . Then got the pond filled ASAP to stop the water coming in and causing a delamination . Ten years on , everything`s fine and I realise its the best decision I made on my build !

Be careful if you can't get the wieght of the water in fast enough the ingress could de lam the fibre glass being very costly

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Dose anyone know if @kenalexander@blueyonder.c is still on here he could be best to inform what's best way

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Originally Posted by Fishy George

Hi Mate thankyou
Sounds like the option. Did you render befor having it glassed ?

Yes it was rendered . I think they had to use a waterproofing agent in the mortar . Might be worth speaking to a fibreglasser before you go any further ! Where abouts are you ?

Originally Posted by Ajm

Dose anyone know if @kenalexander@blueyonder.c is still on here he could be best to inform what's best way

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Yes . He was on early this morning . Would be a good call !

I would dig down half way along and right next to the longest wall. The ground will be slightly looser here - not necessarily easier to dig, but water will flow through to the sump more easily through disturbed ground and should make it as effective as possible.
One good sign is that you didn't have water coming in during the digging and pad laying, which suggests that the rate of ingress is slow and so can be managed.
10m long is more than many garden swimming pools and given the likely depth you're aiming at you're going to have a pond in excess of 60-70,000 litres, which is more than the swimming pool (for humans not fish) I built because Koi ponds don't usually have a shallow end.