How to Winterize Pond Liners
- 1). Decide what kind of winterizing you would like to do for the pond liner, which will involve research. There are various methods of covering the liner to protect it from the elements, such as pond domes, heaters, blankets or covers and objects that can be placed in the pond to protect the liner from ice expansion. Your budget and the size of the pond may determine which one you need to use.
- 2). Consider purchasing a koi pond dome, which can come in sizes up to 31-feet wide. This is a "bubble" that fits over the circumference of your pond, keeping the water and liner from freezing and protecting any fish from frigid water temperatures. You will need to measure the pond and match the measurements with what is available, as well as consider the price for your budget.
- 3). Add a pond heater, making sure it is not directly touching the liner to avoid burns. Heaters will control the temperature of the water, keeping it from freezing and protecting the liner and any fish or plants in the pond. A floating heater may be a better alternative if you have a larger pond. To determine the size of heater to purchase for your pond, do some math with your calculator; to heat water 10 degrees Fahrenheit, you need 1,000 watts heating 250 gallons of water.
- 4). Purchase several plastic foam blocks that float on the pond surface and keep the ice from expanding and cracking the liner. These are especially helpful in extreme temperatures.
- 5). Float a piece of wood or rubber ball on the pond surface. Use several if the pond is larger, such as 12 to 15 feet in circumference or more. This will also absorb the extra pressure created by ice, and protect the liner from cracking.
- 6). Cover the pond with a solar blanket, such as used on a pool, or even a tarp. This saves on the cost of using a heater, and you can even make a cover yourself.
