I Need Help Sealing My Leaky Pond

Question

I was trying to get a pond to stop leaking and have been speaking to a business in Australia (https://www.polymerinnovations.com.au) but the shipping was going to double the price, making it very prohibitive. 

Enclosed is a diagram of my pond with measurements and a picture to give you a sense of scale. In the picture it is almost full (6-8’ deep). I’ve had it reworked twice and it continues to leak. The dam (on the left side of the picture) is not that far about the surrounding ground level and I’m not able to find a leak downhill. One of the reasons we thought it was leaking was a rock ledge on the left side of the diagram. Each time it was reworked clay was returned to cover up the rock but this time, since it continues a slow leak past where the rock ledge is, it’s probably a clue that the leak is deeper.

How much of your product would be required to treat a pond this size?

Is it a product that requires two components?

Do you know if your product is different than that offered by Polymer Innovations? Initially I thought their product wasn’t offered within the United States, then I found you on the internet.

I’d like to move on this during the spring rains which will end soon.

 

Can you tell me how your product differs from the sealers you mentioned (DB-200 and ESS13)? How is your soilfloc product spread over an existing pond with water in it? I’m confused about it being a two part product. Are both parts granular? Are any special tools needed?

I’ve not seen bentonite used successfully in our area, specifically on existing ponds with water in them and wanted to try something new.

Answer 1

Soilfloc is a two part application, 55 pounds will treat around 3200 square feet. We offer a 110 pound supply which would be suitable for a complete application on your pond as 110 pounds would treat 6200 square feet. The Soilfloc product works best if you can concentrate the application in the area where the leak is known to be although if the entire ditch or pond dam is treated this will help as well. It is best to treat when the pond level is full or at least the water level is above the leak point.

The product comes in two parts (A and B) and is a grabular fine pwder. Apply 3 mix ounces per 11 square feet ie: 1.5 ounces of A followed by 1.5 ounces of B. The Part A should be applied first followed immediately by Part B. The two parts reacte in a similar way as do epoxy mixtures become chemically active once the two parts are combined.

When you order a 55 pound supply you recieve 27.5 pounds of Part A and 27.5 pounds of Part B.

The soilfloc can be scattered over the surface or use a seed spreader or blower type of system for larger applications.


If you are in the USA then you can get free shipping : http://www.thepondreport.com/store/pond-sealer-usa/pond-sealant-soilfloc-usa

I’ve never heard specifically of Polymer Innovations but I can imagine that shipping from Australia would be expensive especially for a product that is used in large quantities. Looking at their polymer selection of Waterplug and Watersave for sealing and plugging earth ponds, it requires 25 pounds to seal around 1100 square feet. While the cost is fairly low at $200 or so US dollars for 25 pounds the shipping from Australia to treat any large area would be astronomical. If you are in the USA the option of the products from Polymer Innovations might not be viable although for those living in Australia or New Zealand it is a great option.


Maybe their product is similar to a granular polymer from pondenviro.com. DB-200 is a sealant in North America that they make in a granular format. From what I have heard from those who have used it personally, the product must be applied, then covered in clay, then re-applied  The DB-200 is used at a rate 5 gallons per acre and their literature says that it can be used without adding clay on top if it is added at a higher application rate than 5 gallons per acre when the pond is above the full level as in after a heavy rain.

The price of 5 gallons of the DB-200 is around $300 which is reasonable. We have had customers from Kentucky who have not had good results with DB-200 and have been happier with the Soilfloc. The soil chemistry can make a difference as to which pond sealant is the most effective and some firms require pond soil testing be conducted prior to selling pond sealants to ensure a good fit for the polymers they use.


Another good sealants is ESS13 liquid sealant sold by Seepage Control out of Arizona. Their liquid sealant is added at a rate of 1 gallon ESS13 tfor every 2000 gallons of pond volume. This application ratio requires fairly large doses and the last we heard from clients who used the product it ran for several thousand dollars for a large pond. The results were good and I do believe the insist on taking a soil sample to determine if the ESS13 will perform.

  Bentonite is the typical inexpensive pond leak sealer available at any farm supply store that many folks use. There are variations in quality so not all mined clays called bentonite are equal. Sodium Bentonite has a natural swelling ability while Calcium Bentonite will not swell and seal without other chemical additives. We've heard tales of pond owners adding 24 tons of sodium bentonite without results so always do your due diligence when purchasing any form of bentonite, it may be cheap but when you need to buy several tons the sheer effort to seal a pond can make it a nightmare if it doesn't work.

Back to the question about Soilfloc, it is best to never under apply and you must weigh the cost of the product to your budget and how important it is to seal the leak and if the leak is only seasonal or is something that can be endured. We have had many satisfied customers and referrals from new clients who had seen the effectiveness of the Soilfloc in their neighbours pond.

If you have any questions about Soilfloc pond sealant let me know. Depending on your locationin the USA orders of Soilfloc usually take 3 to 7 days and ship by UPS Ground. Large orders will ship by motor frieght and the price includes shipping and on large orders a lift gate can be supplied to make delivery easier of skids containing several hundred pounds need to be unloaded by tractor or forklift.

Buy Soilfloc Pond Sealant 

Thanks for writing and best of luck with your pond!

TPR