How to install an EPDM pond liner
A smooth, lasting pond lining
Line the hole with underlay, ease the liner in, fill it slowly, then trim the edge once the water has settled. Each step is below with photos.
What you need
Check your liner size first with our pond liner calculator. It keeps 30cm spare at every edge for finishing.
- EPDM linerOne sheet, from 1m x 1m to 10m x 10m. Choose your size.
- Underlay50gsm fabric sheets that cushion the liner. The size guide gives how many sheets for your liner.
- EdgingStones, slabs or turf to hold and hide the liner edge.
- A helperLarger sheets are easiest to place with two people lifting together.
From hole to finished pond
- Dig and lay the underlayShape the hole and its shelves, clear out stones and roots, then cover the base and sides with underlay. Shop underlay
- Ease in the linerLift the sheet over the hole, centre it and let it drop into place with spare all round the rim. Smooth the rubber into the corners and shelves by hand; neat folds take up any spare. Choose your liner size
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Fill slowlyHold the edge with a few bricks you can move, so spare liner can feed into the hole. Run the water in gently and ease any folds or tight spots as the level rises.
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Trim and finish the edgeOnce the pond is full and settled, keep enough liner to tuck under your edging, trim only the excess and cover the rim with stones, slabs or turf.
One strong sheet
Our EPDM liners are made from sheets securely heat-welded together, so a seam line is part of the finished liner. A light white bloom where the folds touched in storage wipes off with a soft, damp cloth.
Frequently asked questions
The folds are stuck together. What should I do?
Rubber layers can cling after storage, especially in the cold. Leave the liner indoors at room temperature, around 20°C, for a few hours, then peel the layers apart slowly from a corner.
Do I need underlay?
Yes. Underlay cushions the liner against stones and roots. Our size guide lists the sheets for every liner size.
When do I trim the liner?
Once the pond is full and the liner has settled. Trimming before that can leave you short where the water drew the liner in.
Will the edge stand up to sun and weather?
Yes. EPDM is UV and ozone resistant, so it copes with exposed pond edges. Covering the rim with stones or turf gives the neatest finish.
Can EPDM be repaired?
Yes. EPDM rubber is repairable, so a puncture does not mean a new liner.