Preformed Pond

If the three rules of Real Estate are “Location, Location, Location,”
the three rules of any landscaping project are “Grading, Grading,
Grading.”

The importance of preventing groundwater seepage into your preformed pond cannot be overstated.

Groundwater seepage has been known to cause a number of problems with preformed ponds in the long term, including

- Shifting of the supporting base below the pond, losing stability
- Cracking in the pond in the winter
- “Dirty” water into the pond, causing blockage of pumps and filters

When planning your pond, it’s important to ensure that it’s in a proper place.

Putting it into a hollow or a low spot in your yard will encourage groundwater seepage into the pond.

If you’re already dealing with the groundwater problem, here’s two great ways to avoid this happening

- Till the Region Around the Pond

Tilling is a method often done by farmers to move water around their fields, directing it either towards or away from crops.

Take plastic pipe, and perforate holes into it (if it does not have them already)

Lay this pipe around the area you’re looking to drain. The water will
move into the pipe through the holes, and be directed along the pipe
away from your pond.

If properly placed, this can help keep your preformed pond dry.

- Trench the Water Away

Find the side of the pond where water is primarily gathering, and make a trench 5-6 inches away from the preformed pond.

Normally the trench should be about 3 inches deep, however depending on
the amount of water you’re dealing with, this can be more or less.

Dig the trench so that it leads the water away from the pond.

While the idea of a trench may be at first an eyesore, with strategically placed rocks it can be easily hidden from view.

It’s important to make sure that the little things are taken care of
with your preformed pond – over the long run, it will keep it looking
new, help it last for longer, and greatly enhance the overall value of
your home.