Technically both sides are right. Traditionally constructed ponds are designed without gravel covering the bottom for fear that pond much would be difficult to clean off the bottom. People that have these ponds could never imagine the mess that adding gravel would cause during clean outs. On the other hand, people that construct their pond with gravel from the beginning tell a completely different story.

Do not install mounting rails over plastic bed liners. Plastic bed liners must be cut out of the way. Base rails may be installed on spray in liner. Note: Consult installer for recommended curing time.

We put rocks and gravel on the bottom of the pond for a couple of reasons. The number one reason is for filtration of the pond. The rocks provide a huge amount of surface area for the bacteria to colonize on. This bacterial breaks down the fish waste and other organic debris that fall to the bottom. The second reason is to help lock the liner in place so that the water weight doesn't bring it down. The third main reason is aesthetics.

Simply stated, you don't. With the presence of rocks and gravel at the bottom of your pond, aerobic bacteria will have plenty of surfaces to live and consume fish waste and debris for you. So, the combination of rocks, gravel and beneficial bacteria will keep the bottom of your pond muck free.

No. They quickly become covered with a thin film of sediment, which is not very pretty. Drowned worms and other decaying debris may also settle between the pebbles, placing them out of reach of scavenging snails and fish. This could cause bad pond hygiene and affect the health of the pond's inhabitants.

Liner ponds are less expensive to install, but are much more delicate. They are harder to clean and maintain than concrete ponds, which is one reason why we prefer concrete ponds. Liner ponds are much more likely to be punctured or torn during normal maintenance. One advantage to a liner pond is that they won't crack when it freezes, however that is not much of an issue San Diego. Liner ponds are less likely to be penetrated by roots, but liners need to be protected from the sun.

Koi are really just fancy carp, and carp are bottom feeders. Bottom feeders love to scavenge for anything available in between the rocks. A rocky bottom is a natural environment for them just as you would find in rivers, lakes and ponds in nature.

There is a product called underlayment that is used for padding under the rubber liner. This heavy fabric protects the liner from puncture during installation. An alternative is to use underlayment as padding just for the sides and a layer of sand on the bottom of the pond. The layer of sand needs to be about two inches deep for adequate protection. In lieu of the underlayment, a half-inch layer of wet newspaper on the sides of the pond works well as a substitute.

This is not stylistically recommended. It is recommended that the lip liner and lip fill-in color be the same.

Not unless you're an experienced chimney professional. There are too many things that if not done correctly could cause your chimney to violate the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211 code and prove to be a safety hazard for your home. It requires the skill, knowledge and experience only a seasoned chimney professional can bring to the job. We're happy to recommend a HomeSaver installer near you.

Garden pond projects and ornamental features can readily be self-installed using adhesives on any liner seams. If you have a large installation or have specific site needs and you need help, we can provide a range of assistance. Don't hesitate to contact us at 800-524-8672.

I strongly recommend that you don't try. Liners will shrink and become brittle when left without water causing them to be very difficult to reinstall. If you really need to try, this is the only way I have found that works. With the wall up and the sand spread, unroll the liner inside the pool and attach to the wall using cloths pins. Line up the skimmer and return holes. Fasten the skimmer and return to the wall and make sure the liner below them is touching the sand.

There are several reasons we always "rock-in" ponds. Stones and gravel decrease maintenance, extend the life of the liner, stabilize the pond's walls, provide ballast against hydrostatic pressure, and look more natural than a naked liner. Fish waste, dead plant material and wind-blown debris combine and decompose to form a smelly sludge that builds up to a few inches over the course of a year.

Yes, but the sides must be supported at least 1/2 the way up to keep them from billowing out when all the water is put in.

Most people choose the flexibility of a liner because they can build a pond any size, shape and depth. The life of the liner material is comparable to the best rigid fiberglass ponds and the cost is much less than the rigid fiberglass. The standard 45 mil EPDM-II is the liner of choice since it is durable and available in many sizes. It is a great choice for most water gardens. Rigid, pre-formed ponds are easier to install and make a good choice for a beginner.

I don't usually recommend this. When a pool is emptied the old liner shrinks and starts to wrinkle. Any wrinkles or folds in the old liner will show through when the new liner is installed. It is very difficult to get an old liner to lay smooth and flat enough for a new liner to look nice installed over it. The other drawback is this, when changing liners it is a good idea to make sure the sand or pool base is smooth and free of foot prints. This would require removing the old liner.

Buyers and agents tend to be uncomfortable is when you are home during a showing. Buyers tend to abbreviate their visit, and are inhibited about looking at everything they otherwise would. It is beneficial for sellers not to be home during showings.

Possibly. This is necessary to keep us off an unsafe highway, or a stretch of construction may force us to take some gravel. Return to FAQ index

There are many online chimney liner stores who will tell you that installing a chimney liner is easy. They tell you that anyone with common sense can do it. They are right. For some people its a good way to save money. For others it may not be a good idea. So you should do your research and see if its a job you can handle. It's never a bad idea to hire a professional, but it's not a bad idea to do things yourself.

Fireplace chimneys were built to exhaust large volumes of hot gasses. Their size along with their construction does not allow for proper venting of wood burning inserts and most commonly create creosote glazing problems. For more information

After you have properly pitch your tipi, you have a tent open at the top and all around the bottom. Since the cover is a few inches off the ground, as it should be, a considerable draft is possible making the tipi nothing more than a temporary shelter, not really fit for living in. Winds blow across the bottom of the tipi making the tipi drafty and cold and raindrops run down the poles and soak everything inside.

If the pump is located deep enough in the water to avoid freezing, it can be left in the water year round. Remove the pump in shallow water applications where freezing could damage it. While the pump is running it will not freeze unless the power is cut off. Operating the falls during the winter creates interesting ice formations along the stream and spillways. If your pond has a statue or fountainhead, disconnect the pump from the tubing, or remove the fountainhead.

Yes. We have cut back the hardy plants (houttuynia) and this has been left in over winter and new growth has appeared in spring. Obviously busy lizzies have been completely removed but the floater left in the pond.

The choice is yours, we can tail gate spread the gravel. However, there are certain factors that affect the outcome such as overhead wires, tree branches and narrow driveways. In most cases we leave the driveway passable to car traffic. You will probably have to hand rake some areas to acquire a uniform distribution.

Take a good look at your yard and make sure that the location of the pond can be enjoyed from any decks and windows. Pull out the garden hose and create the shape of your pond right on the lawn. Experiment with it for a few days and observe how both the sun and slope of your yard will effect the space you have chosen. Plan your pond so that you can easily add a waterfall or a second pond in years to come.

Yes, as long as such activities do not unreasonably interfere with the ability of TVA and its contractors to go across the right-of-way or to perform construction and maintenance activities. Before doing any of these activities, we recommend that you contact the TVA representative responsible for the right-of-way in your area by clicking on the map. Also see Question 13. Contact Us | Search | Legal Notices | Privacy Policy | Employment | FOIA | No Fear Act Data | Linking Policy

We've spent many hours of classroom time in learning the proper installation of water gardens “ so mistakes were made there “ not in your back yard! And we're highly trained in horticulture, so we can recommend the best plantings to compliment your pond or to attract birds and butterflies “ if you wish. We make your pond, stream, and waterfall look as if it's always been there “ that you chose to build your house right next to a sparkling pond.