Help! I have a small recirculating fountain. It’s approximately 3′ x 3′ and 2′ deep. It’s lined with a rubber pool liner.
A raccoon or something must have fallen in and in his struggle to get out, he tore several small rips in the liner close to the rim of the pool. I’m trying to repair those rips without dismantling the whole thing.
I went back to the place where I purchased the rubber liner and they sold me some patching material. I followed the directions…let the area dry and cleaned it with alcohol and stuck the patches on. It worked for about a week, but now the patches have come loose.
Is there anything you could suggest that would work to reglue the patches to the rubber liner and maintain a waterproof seal under water?
Replies
I don't know if the material is compatible, but maybe you could use some shower pan liner and the solvent to add a patch. Is it really rubber, or some other vinyl?
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I think it's something called EPDM rubber. I don't know what EPDM is.
cynthia- http://www.roofhelp.com/choices/epdm truth be known i didnt know what the hell it meant either......." Feed the good wolf....."
Edited 9/11/2005 9:37 pm ET by alias
EPDM is a popular roofing material and a popular pond lining. Patching tiny holes like you describe is something I've never done.
But I've patched bigger rips. Unfortunately, the material that I use (self-adhesive seaming tape) isn't easily available, and it's rather pricey.
You need to dry the liner -- at least the area within a few inches of the patch. Then you need to clean the area with toluene. Then you apply the self-adhesive seaming tape.
If you tell them that you're a contractor, most roofing supply houses will sell you a 100foot roll (4" wide?) for around $100.
You might also try this link:
http://www.webbsonline.com/catalog/liner/
They might have something.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
Since my little pool is only about 3' x 3', 100 feet of tape would be a bit much. However, on the site you recommended, they have a pond repair kit which just might do the trick.What's toulene? I wonder if that is part of the repair kit?Thanks
Stick with white gas or naptha, They are bad enough. Toulene is serious cancer causing petro-fumes requiring a respirator and heavy rubber gloves
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Just like Piffin said..... Toulene is serious cancer causing petro-fumes requiring a respirator and heavy rubber gloves
And either gasoline or naptha will probably do the trick.
Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.
EDPM is a high quality liner used for artificial ponds. You can buy EDPM supplies here: http://dripworksusa.com/ev_store/ev_pondliner.html but I'd call them to get specific info for your situation. It sounds like you have the correct patching material but don't have the primer, but check with everliner. I buy drip irrigation supplies from their other business, Dripworks and recommend them.
hope this helps,
-s
Everliner: (800) 522-3747
Thanks for the link. I used to have a Dripworks catalog, but I tossed it after I finished my irrigation set-up. I didn't think of them for pond repair. I'll call them and ask for advice. I think my problem was that I don't have the primer. I went to their website and I'm a little confused how to use the double-sided tape for a patch. I can see how it makes sense for joining a seam, but not a patch. Maybe they can answer that on the phone.Thanks again.
Properly done, EPDM patches are practically welded on and cannot come loose.
EPDM is used for roofs also, but patching there and seamiong will require white gass, or naptha for cleaning things to prep for the pach
The fact that yours recommended a weaker alchohol solution leads me to think that maybe fora homeowner's version, they have weaker glue also to avoid potential liabilities. It is either that, pr you failed in some other detail to follow instructions to the letter.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I think my problem was that they didn't sell me any glue. The tape was sticky so I thought that was all I needed. I think I also needed something called primer/glue. Maybe I also need to clean the area more thoroughly than just wiping the area down with alcohol as they recommended. Can I by naphtha in small quantities? I never thought about looking for roofing supplies. But I'd probably have to buy a lot more than I need. Thanks.