Many times what Phoenix homeowners may think is a leak in their backyard pond is actually a water displacement issue with the waterfall or stream. Or it could simply be a malfunctioning autofill device. OR, it could just be evaporation, especially if it’s particularly hot and dry and/or windy. In Phoenix, homeowners will experience an average of 1″ per day of surface area evaporation on any body of water during the summer months.
WHEN A LEAK REALLY ISN’T A LEAK
Remember that water wicks up the side of the rocks in your pond, so be sure you are actually seeing a drop in water, and not just wicking action. If the autofill device is not running at more than a drip, then you don’t have a leak.
Before you jump to the conclusion that you have a leak, learn how to properly identify the current water level of your pond. The “wet line” on the rocks is simply wicking. You’re better off watching the water line at the skimmer and looking at the overflow.
PHOENIX POND LEAK TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS
Before spending money for someone else to find the problem, here are some simple things you can do to troubleshoot the issue. Heck, you may even be able to fix it yourself and save some money!
First, turn off the water supply to the pond and unplug the pump, monitoring the water loss overnight. If the water level in the pond does not drop any further, you know the “leak” is in the waterfall or stream, and is more likely than not the result of plants needing to be thinned, or another displacement issue like shifting rocks on the edge of your liner due to settling.
AQUATIC PLANTS NEED REGULAR THINNING IN A PHOENIX POND OR STREAM IN THE SUMMER!
This is an easy fix with a living ecosystem pond built using EPDM rubber. Use an appraising eye to evaluate whether or not your stream is packed full of plant roots. If you’ve just been trimming off the dead leaves and not actually thinning the root material, chances are, you’ve located your issue. Sometimes you have to be brutal and thin those babies good! Just don’t do this during winter when there’s a chance that an upcoming frost will kill what’s left of the plants.
SETTLING LEAK AROUND THE EDGES OF A PHOENIX POND
Check around the edges to make sure that water is still not going over the side of the liner. If it is, then you may have a settling leak. Again, this is an easy fix in a flexible ponding system. Move some rocks out of the way, lift the liner up, shove some dirt under it, and replace the rock. Viola! Problem solved.
THE LEAK IS IN THE WATERFALL
If you’ve thinning the plants, don’t have any settling leaks around the edges, and the overnight test has determined that the leak is somewhere in the waterfall, you’ll probably need to call your pond installation contractor to come deal with it. Make sure that the flow over the falls is not being impeded by plants that have shifted into position. This sometimes causes a dam, causing water to flow off the back of the waterfall instead of the front. This is, again, a maintenance issue.
THE LEAK IS IN THE POND
If the water continued to drop despite the waterfall being turned off, go ahead and turn the system back on to keep it oxygenated for your fish if it’s summertime, and call your pond installation contractor for help. You may be advised to turn the waterfall back off and let it drop until it stops so that the hole or tear can be quickly identified and addressed.
Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Arizona (AZ) & Surrounding Areas
To Learn More About Pond Troubleshooting: https://pondgnome.com/trouble-shooting-phoenix-az/
