leaking concrete pond fix?

[look 171]

Anyone ever had to fix a slow leak on their koi pond? I have this old 4x5 or 6' pond with some water plants growing in it. I drained it and was dumb enough to allow it to dry for a few weeks. Now it is seeping slowly. I think the pool plaster dried out and cracked. My boys are old enough to enjoy how to take care of some gold fish and learn about water, eco system, filter and all the good stuff. How the heck do I fix the slow leak. I am thinking about RedGard for waterproofing showers. Since I didn't build the pond, the only way I know how to fix it is to build a new one. I really don't want to do that right now.

[HardDrive]

Did you scrub it out? Are there obvious cracks?

No need to build a new one. Easy fix.

[look 171]

How? Wanna to share?

[sc_rufctr]

Before building a new one I would attempt to reseal yours.

There are lots of good products but the one I'd recommend may not be available in the US.
Localy I can get a rubber based product from the tile shop. It's used to seal bathroom walls after renovation. It's a two part product that brushes or rollers on. Grey in colour and a bit stinky to use. It's the ultimate tile adhesive for a bathroom.

I'm sure you'd find something similar. The trick is to get the concrete surface as clean as possible but the product I described is very forgiving.

Also... What about POR15? Another good product but it's not UV stable so you'd need to apply a top coat. POR also make multi coloured top coats.

Just have a go. I recently built a small fountain for my aunty from left over bricks and bits a and pieces... Easy peasy and lots of fun.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Before building a new one I would attempt to reseal yours.

There are lots of good products but the one I'd recommend may not be available in the US.
Localy I can get a rubber based product from the tile shop. It's used to seal bathroom walls after renovation. It's a two part product that brushes or rollers on. Grey in colour and a bit stinky to use. It's the ultimate tile adhesive for a bathroom.

I'm sure you'd find something similar. The trick is to get the concrete surface as clean as possible but the product I described is very forgiving.

Also... What about POR15? Another good product but it's not UV stable so you'd need to apply a top coat. POR also make multi coloured top coats.

Just have a go. I recently built a small fountain for my aunty from left over bricks and bits a and pieces... Easy peasy and lots of fun.

Thanks, but I think POR 15 will kill the fish. What do you think? We have the same stuff call Redgard for tile.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by look 171

Thanks, but I think POR 15 will kill the fish. What do you think? We have the same stuff call Redgard for tile.

Never heard of Redgard but is it a rubber based product like the one I described?

The local suff is safe for potable water. The info sheet (MSDS) for Redgard whould have this info.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Never heard of Redgard but is it a rubber based product like the one I described?

The local suff is safe for potable water. The info sheet (MSDS) for Redgard whould have this info.

What's it call? Great if its safe for potable h2o. it might even be good for the gold fish.

[dhoward]

Just lay a pond liner in it.
Done.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by dhoward

Just lay a pond liner in it.
Done.

That would work but often only black is available.

[Zeke]

Plenty of pond specialists in L.A. When I built this tea house in Mandeville Canyon, Mr. Fish was involved with the existing fish and repair of the pond.



If he is still around, he knows all the facts on product toxicity. He was sure to prevent me from contaminating the surroundings with redwood sawdust.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

That would work but often only black is available.

We have a black pond liner, covered with 1-1/2" rock. Looks nice, keeps the UV rays from the sun off the liner.

[VINMAN]

Have you tried Waterplug masonary cement? I'm sure it would work, but not sure about the toxicity.

[stomachmonkey]

skim coat of hydraulic cement?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

skim coat of hydraulic cement?

You think it will work? I have never skim coat with that stuff.

[crustychief]

When I built my pond I used UGL - DRYLOKŪ Masonry - Masonry Waterproofer

After it dried for a couple of weeks I used regular exterior latex paint to color it the way I wanted. I let that cure for a week or so then added water, plants and fish.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Plenty of pond specialists in L.A. When I built this tea house in Mandeville Canyon, Mr. Fish was involved with the existing fish and repair of the pond.

If he is still around, he knows all the facts on product toxicity. He was sure to prevent me from contaminating the surroundings with redwood sawdust.

Nice work!

[look 171]

Originally Posted by crustychief

When I built my pond I used UGL - DRYLOKŪ Masonry - Masonry Waterproofer

After it dried for a couple of weeks I used regular exterior latex paint to color it the way I wanted. I let that cure for a week or so then added water, plants and fish.

It did not kill the fish? I have never use that stuff, can you fill the pond within a couple of days? How does that latex paint perform under water? it sounds easy enough.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Plenty of pond specialists in L.A. When I built this tea house in Mandeville Canyon, Mr. Fish was involved with the existing fish and repair of the pond.



If he is still around, he knows all the facts on product toxicity. He was sure to prevent me from contaminating the surroundings with redwood sawdust.

That's a beautiful Tea House Milt. How long ago was this? We are working up on Mandeville and Tigertail at this very moment. the traffic getting out is out of this world.

[crustychief]

[GWN7]

Way back when....I worked helping a guy redo concrete swimming pools. Sand blast them, repair any cracks and paint.

2 part epoxy paint, comes in many colours. Non-toxic to fish and plants.