Pond Leak Troubleshooting

To repair a leak in a koi pond, you must first determine where the leak is and if indeed it is a leak causing your water loss.

STEP 1 - First water level test:

This step is done by the homeowner prior to our technician coming out.

  • Fill up your pond to the level it should be at.
  • Mark one of your rocks with masking tape at the right water level.
  • Turn off your pump and wait 24 hours.

Turning the pump off will stop the flow of water down the stream and within 24 hours you should be able to either determine if it is indeed your leak source, or you will be able to eliminate it as a leak source.

(If you have fish in your pond you will need to use an aerator if you do not have one already. This will ensure the fish have enough oxygen.)

STEP 2 - Determining what section the leak is in:

If your water level has stayed the same for the 24 hours, your leak is coming from the waterfall.

If your water level has dropped, your leak is in your basin.

Please skip to the next step that applies to your result.

STEP 3A - Waterfall leaks:

90% of leaks come from the waterfall / stream. This does not mean you have a hole in your liner, this is normally a sign that the liner edge is too low or has folded down. This is due to the soil settling after your stream was built, or after it has rained, or your pond plants have overgrown.

You can now follow the perimeter of the pond and locate the edge of the pond liner. Be aware of any wet areas outside of the liner, this is a sign of a low liner edge.

STEP 3B - Basin leaks:

This is a less common type of leak, but it can occur for a few reasons.

  1. If something has punctured the liner itself – such as a dog digging a hole in a shallow area of the basin scratching the liner raw, or if a sharp object has been forced into the liner.
  2. If the pond was emptied for a long period of time (such as a few weeks to months) causing the liner to dry out around the pre-sealed areas where the equipment has been installed. Such as, the skimmer face plate or biofalls face plate.

If indeed your water has continued to drop after your stream / waterfall has not been flowing for 24 hours (pump turned off), that means the leak is contained in the pond basin itself.

Once the water stops, we can then determine the leak is located around the perimeter of that water level.

Pondless Leak Troubleshooting

To repair a leak in a koi pond, you must first determine where the leak is and if indeed it is a leak causing your water loss.

STEP 1 - Turn off your waterfall and measure the water level
  • Open the vault lid (that holds your pump) to identify the water level.
  • Fill it up as much as it can hold
  • Mark the level inside the vault with masking tape (TAKE A PHOTO).
  • Turn off your pump and wait 24 hours.

Turning the pump off will stop the flow of water down the stream and within 24 hours you should be able to either determine if your leak is coming from the stream or basin.

STEP 2 - Determining what section the leak is in:

If your water level has stayed the same for the 24 hours, your leak is most likely coming from the stream / waterfall.

If your water level has dropped significantly inside your vault area, your leak is not in your waterfall / stream.

Please skip to the next step that applies to your result.

STEP 3A - Waterfall leaks:

95% of leaks come from the waterfall / stream. This does not mean you have a hole in your liner, this is normally a sign that the liner edge is too low or has folded down. This is due to the soil settling after your stream was built, or after it has rained, or your pond plants have overgrown over the side of your liner or moving it to the point that a low spot has occurred.

This next step is to identify where the leak in your waterfall / stream is.

Follow the perimeter of the pond and locate the edge of the pond liner. Be aware of any wet areas outside of the liner, this is a sign of a low liner edge.

STEP 3B - Basin leaks:

This is a less common type of leak, but if indeed your water has continued to drop after your stream / waterfall has not been flowing for 24 hours (pump turned off), that means the leak is contained in the pond basin itself.

Once the water stops, we can then determine the leak is located around the perimeter of that water level.