How to Install an In-Ground Pond

One of the latest trends in backyard landscaping is the in-ground pond. In the past if you wanted to have an in-ground pond in your backyard you had to dig the pond, reinforce the sides with rebar, pour concrete, smooth and shape the concrete, install filtrations systems and water pumps, and hope the concrete didn’t split in the winter. Nowadays there are pre-made pond kits that you can purchase that include everything that you need for a cute little in-ground pond including the liner, instructions, and in some cases the pump and filter system. This article will go over the basics of installing one of these pre-fabricated pond kits.

Step Number One: Know What You Are Digging In To

The first thing that you will need to do before installing your in-ground pond is to call your local utility company and request that your utility lines be located. This will help you avoid cutting into power lines, sewer lines, and water lines. You may need to call your local cable company as well, depending on your area.

Step Number Two: Find the Right Spot

After your utility lines have been identified, you will want to look at your yard to see where you want to put your pond. I would highly recommend positioning it in a place that is downhill from your house, especially if you have a basement. If the pond liner breaks and water escapes, you don’t want it flooding your basement. You will also want to take into consideration what will be in your pond when deciding on its location. If you will be putting fish and plants in your pond you will want an area that gets at least partial sun during the day.

Step Number Three: Preparing the Site

To prepare your pond site you will want to follow the directions provided with the kit. The instructions will tell you how deep to dig, what dimensions the hole should be, as well as if you will need to line the hole with sand or other aggregate materials. If you have an odd shaped pond liner you may want to consider buying sand to fill around the bottom of the pond kit. This will help with drainage issues if the pond springs a leak, and it will be easier to fill around odd shapes than clay or hard soil types.
Step Number Four: Install the Liner

To install the line simply place it in the hole and fill around the liner so that it is well supported by dirt and substrate materials. To help make the liner invisible cut under the surrounding sod and slip the edges of the pond liner under the sod. Pat the sod down over the pond liner edges.

Step Number Five: Fill and Enjoy

The final step is to fill the pond. If you will be adding fish and plants to your pond you will need to install the water filtration system and pumps before you fill it with water. Follow the directions provided with these items to ensure proper installation.

Maintenance:

To maintain your pool you will need to empty and clean it from time to time, especially if you have fish in your pond. Follow the recommendations given by the manufacturer of the pond. If your area freezes in the winter time, you may want to drain the pond in late fall to prevent the liner from cracking when it freezes. However, some pond kits are durable enough that this step is not required.