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Material recommendation for pond crack repair... Robert, I am undertaking repairing a concrete pond that has numerous cracks. It was done "professionally" less than three years ago and to say the least it is a disaster. I read you article and I am in the process of chiseling and grinding out the cracks etc. Is there one product, elastomeric (stretching) repair system, that you recommend more than the others. Secondly what type of sealer would you recommend that I apply over the repair. Thanks for your advice and time Regards Chip Brenn <There are a few elastomeric materials that can be used for such repairs... but their use is generally not recommended. Collectively they lack the "body" to fill in the commonly large and even mobile cracks encountered in most water features. Are your openings more than just hair-line in nature? Is/are the basin/s on "original grade" or are they "moving" still? Tell me the approximate dimensions, and even better, send along a pic with some referent for physical dimensions... it may well be that you'd be best going ahead with a "complete" rebuild over the existing structure... with a liner et al. as detailed on WWM. Bob Fenner> Pond Cracks I had a contractor build a 2000 gallon concrete pond covered with swimming pool plaster a few months back. Although I have not circulated the pond as yet, I have been plagued with leaks through several cracks in the concrete. <What? The basin/s should not be cracked... was there any sort of reinforcing mesh/rebar set in ahead of the concrete? Please see below> I attached several epoxy injection ports and sealed the rest of the cracks with epoxy. I injected the ports today. The effort was moderately successful. Since I am worried that further cracks could develop, particularly after I stock it with goldfish and plants, I would like to coat it before I fill it up. <Something should be done, yes> Here are the choices I have uncovered: epoxies( however, these can crack) are claimed to be the longest lasting, Mulasitcoat ( latex ) covered with plaster, roof coatings( siliconized acrylic), chlorinated rubber, neoprene rubber, polyurethane, etc. I would like the simplest, lowest cost coatings. Should I use an elastomeric material? Will roof coatings work? Are they safe for fish? What about Thoroseal? Can you help? Vijay Sampath Pond Enthusiast <Can help... all of these materials can be used and be safe... but I would not advise their use here... IF the basin/s are sufficiently cracked currently to allow leakage, these coatings will not assure a good seal... they don't have enough "body" to fill in breaks that will re-occur going forward. Instead, do read through the "concrete repair" sections posted on www.WetWebMedia.com on the Pond Subweb. Bob Fenner> Re: Pond Sealing Bob: Are you available as a consultant. I like to do projects myself, but prefer to get good advice before I mess something up. I have just water blasted my pond to clean off the old Thoroseal and have several cracks. Also, the concrete is quite rough now. I'd be happy to pay for a short visit. Curt Yaws <Do occasionally get out and about... reminds me, I've got to call the folks out at Lakeside re a water feature they're putting in... but am out of town till the end of the month and then back out soon for another week. Are the cracks "expansive"? If they're small (less than an eighth of an inch across) and old (years) you might be able to effect a repair with a non-elastic fix (e.g. cementatious materials)... if not, the liner repair route is suggested. Bob Fenner> Pond Repair issues Robert: <David> I was hoping you could help me. From the web site http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/concrepart.htm I am quoting: For repairing the more serious "moving" and "growing" hair-line cracks, one should use an elastomeric (stretching) repair system. These are most commonly polyurethane/bitumen or chlorinated-rubber based and can be applied by brush, trowel or specialized spray equipment. These materials have a high tensile strength (elasticity) and can be applied to the questionable areas alone, or better still, over the entire basin & back of fall surface. It may be necessary and/or is strongly advised that these elastomerics in turn be coated over. Read and follow the manufacturers' instructions thoroughly. I will leave off with telling you my "horror stories" regarding "advice" from counter help and "field technicians", instead to re-emphasize that you read and follow all printed materials to the letter. Can you recommend any products/sources for these materials. I have a small (4 square feet) basin that is leaking in a waterfall and my last application of Thoroseal only helped me for about a year. <Are the cracks stable or more "moving"? In such a small basin I might try first caulking the whole with Nelson's (Chlorinated) Rubber Paint (likely available from a swimming pool supplies outlet) and then, if desired for looks, resealing it with Thoroseal> Thanks, David Rains <Make sure and use their "thinner" and follow directions to a "T". Bob Fenner>
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