Ponds are a great addition to any landscape, but they do require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. One of the most troublesome issues that pond owners face is a leak. A leak in your pond can be caused by a variety of factors, including a damaged liner or tubing. If you suspect that your pond has a leak, it can be disheartening to be unable to determine the cause. But don't worry, with this handy guide, troubleshooting a pond will be a breeze!

Step #1: Shut off pump, allow water to settle.

The first step in troubleshooting a pond leak is to turn off the pump and allow the water to settle. This will help you determine the current water level in the pond.

Step #2: Fill pond up to normal level you are confident the water has stayed at in past.

Next, fill the pond up to the normal level you are confident the water has stayed at in the past. Look for a water mark on the side of the liner to determine the normal level.

Step #3: Take a water level measurement with a ruler at a pre-determined spot.

Take a water level measurement with a ruler at a pre-determined spot, then record it. Wait 24 hours and take another measurement.

Did the level go down more than a ¼"?

If the answer is yes, the leak is in the pond liner itself or a bottom drain if you’ve had one installed. Allow the water to continue to go down until the level stops. Your leak is right above water level at whatever point the water stops dropping. If you have a bottom drain, your leak may also be in any buried plumbing at the level the water level stops dropping.

If the answer was no, the leak is in your waterfall/stream (this is the case 90% of the time!). Unearth liner edges and raise any low edges above the level of water flow.

Another possibility is that the leak is in the plumbing (buried hose). Hook up a separate by-pass hose to the pump to verify that the leak is not in a buried hose.

It's important to note that normal evaporation loss in the summertime is about ¼" a day for a calm pond. However, normal evaporation loss for a pond with a large/splashy waterfall or stream can be anywhere from ½" to 1" a day with a pump running more on windy days.

In conclusion, a pond leak can be a frustrating problem to deal with, but by following these tips, you can get your pond back up and running normally in no time.