5 Best Pond Sealers – Problem Solved In No Time!

A pond can instantly add a welcoming atmosphere to a garden. Swimming fish and even hearing the water splashing can be so calming. But you need a well-constructed pond if you don’t want it to cause you problems because leaking water is a common frustration. That’s why you need to invest in one of the best pond sealer products on the 2020/2020 market.

We reviewed five of the top pond sealer products to find out which ones will help consumers create ponds without the risk of water leaking all the time. For us, the Editor’s Choice, the Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant came out on top because it’s so versatile. You can use it on almost any pond surface. And it’s easy to apply so it won’t cause you much effort. Whether you’re treating cracks or building a new home for your fish, this is a smart choice.

Top 5 Pond Sealers Review 2020

Below you’ll find reviews about all your best options with feedback on the type of product each one is, as well as how big an area it can cover. You need this information to pick a substance that will work for your specific pond. And make sure you buy enough so you can complete the task in one go. If you’re apprehensive about building or fixing your first pond, don’t fear. Our detailed buying guide at the end of the article as well as the reviews will educate you in all there is to know about sealing ponds. And you can use our comparison table as a quick reference to see what’s relevant for your scenario.

Let’s help you seal that pond and create a happy home for your plants & fish.

What is a pond sealer?

Whether you’re trying to fix an existing pond, trying to plug leaks or building a new pond, chances are you’ll need a pond sealer. This is what will prevent water from leaking out of your pond. This can easily happen through small cracks you won’t even notice with the naked eye.

Pond sealers like the ones mentioned above have characteristics that help prevent water loss. Firstly, they’re waterproof so water can’t escape through the bottom of the pond. Most of them are also able to still keep their structures even if cracks develop below the sealant, so they won’t crack themselves.

Sealants are usually sticky, so they adhere to the surface of the pond easily.

Various products—from natural substances to synthetic—can have the necessary characteristics to keep your pond from developing leaks.

Add a layer of one of the products featured on our gold label pond sealer reviews, to prevent your pond wasting water. This is also how you ensure a healthy environment for your fish since they probably need a certain depth to survive. Don’t let the water levels drop!

What else is important when you own a pond? Keep reading to find out.

Features to consider while choosing a pond sealer?

You can’t simply pick any pond sealer you find in the store. And as can be seen from our pond sealer reviews, there are diverse types to consider. Just compare the Natural Waterscapes Granular Sodium Bentonite Clay for Pond Sealing with some of the substances that require painting onto your pond surface. That’s a big difference! So, let’s summarize the most important aspects for you to make you a pro shopper for your pond.

Type

Pick a pond sealer that suits your pond type. You’ll see some products like Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant work on almost any surface, while others aren’t that suitable for wood. And some are specifically designed for plastic type ponds.

In general, a pond sealer will fall into one of these categories:

• Liquid sealer: These are used on a dry surface and often applied with a brush. This is the most common and popular type to use.

  High strength: In this case your water is part of the curing agent. That means you don’t necessarily have to drain the pond before fixing the leak. And if the substance is fish friendly you can even leave your fish in the pond while you work.

  Tape pond sealer: Note that you can only work with tape sealer if the surface is 100% dry. The benefit here is that you don’t have to use a brush and work with sticky liquid. But consider all the details of your project before using this one. It’s not always as effective as liquid sealer unless you’re mostly working on flat surfaces.

  Concrete sealer: Concrete is porous so a concrete pond sealer will make sure those tiny holes don’t let water escape. For an example, look at Herco H-55 Pond Coating on our list of pond sealer reviews.

  Some products are specifically designed for ponds and these are usually fish friendly. But others, such as our editor’s choice can be used for various sealing jobs around the house too.

  Application

  When you consider the application of your pond sealer you should start by measuring the area. You need to purchase enough pond sealer to cover the entire area. And remember, for many of the products, such as the liquid sealer called Pond Armor SKU-CLEAR-QT-R Non-Toxic Pond Shield Epoxy Paint you’ll have to apply more than one layer for it to be effective. So buy enough!

  Also consider the surface and make sure the type you pick is suitable for that surface. Some products are meant for concrete while others work on plastic.

  Lastly, plan a time line. Your type of pond sealer determines whether you have to allow time for preparing the area and letting it dry properly before you start. And afterwards you may need time for curing before you add water to the pond. This can be a few hours, or even days. Do you have a place where you can keep your fish safe for the duration of the project?

  An important note is to consider the time it takes for a sealer to become hard or too sticky to work with. Don’t let the liquid harden while you wait to apply the second coat. With some products, only mix enough liquid pond sealer for one coat at a time or you’ll have to throw a lot of it away and waste money.

  Dimensions

  Most manufacturers clearly state how large an area the product can effectively cover. Read the instructions and determine if there will be enough to cover the dimensions of your pond, even if you have to add multiple layers.

  Extra features

  

  It’s wise to invest in products that will last you long, such as those that aren’t affected much by UV rays. They won’t deteriorate quickly.

  Also look for non-toxic products, especially if you have pets or if your pond contains fish. You need to create a nature-friendly environment.

  Some products also help you improve the aesthetics of the pond by offering you different color options, or creating surfaces where algae will grow easily—adding to the authentic look of your artificial garden.

  You can also consider the maintenance of your pond. You may want some algae if you have fish, but you don’t want your pond to become overgrown with it. Products can help create smooth surfaces that only require a wipe with a cloth to remove unwanted layers. But the result won’t seem so natural. It’s all about what effect you want to create!

  Price

  We suggest you don’t always go for the cheapest product on the market, though out budget buy, the Tite-Seal Cofair PLCS525 Pond Liner Cover Strip is a wise option that is likely to last you long if it suits your type of project.

  The problem with extremely cheap products is that they may not last long or bond well. And if you’re forced to simply purchase another product you won’t save any money, will you?

  Higher end products bond well and last long, even when exposed to extreme temperatures and UV rays each day.

  How to use a pond sealer?

  Each pond sealer will have unique guidelines for using it and getting the best results. In general, you can follow these steps:

  • You’ll have a preparation stage. Here you’ll take out the water, unless you’re working with a substance where water becomes the curing agent. Also remember to clear away all plants and debris so you have a clean area to work on. You don’t want small particles creating air bubbles under your tape or sealer liquid.

    We suggest you widen certain cracks to make sure the pond sealer can reach all the necessary spots you want to plug.

    When the area is clean and dry you can add a primer if it’s relevant to the product range you invested in.

    Next, you’ll add your pond sealer, making sure you cover the entire area or only where the cracks are, depending on the project you’re undertaking. With liquid sealers you can use a paint brush. Most manufacturers make it easy to apply so you don’t need expensive utensils. Note that it’s not always necessary to paint the entire pond’s surface if you’re only repairing cracks. You can add more than one layer if necessary.

    Now you’ll have to allow time for it to cure. This can be a few hours, a day or more. Read instructions carefully.

    Lastly, it’s necessary to test it. Fill it up with water and monitor water levels for a few days to determine if water is still leaking. We also suggest only adding one or two fish at first to make sure your specific fish won’t be affected by the sealer you used. If they seem sick you may have to use a different substance.

FAQ

Our Verdict

So, which one do you think suits your pond scenario at home? Our Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant is a definite winner in most cases because it’s so effortless to apply and you can use it for many projects at home: you know you’re getting value for money.

But don’t forget to check out Pond Armor SKU-CLEAR-QT-R Non-Toxic Pond Shield Epoxy Paint too. This one makes it so easy to maintain your pond and you know the substance won’t affect your fish, so you can buy it with peace of mind.

If you’re shopping on a budget, there is a solution for you too, because Tite-Seal Cofair PLCS525 Pond Liner Cover Strip is an excellent product but very affordable. Once again, it’s safe and many users prefer using strips to painting sticky substances.

Which type do you prefer? Or do you have more questions about this type of DIY project? Leave a comment and let the community help you order the best pond sealer for YOUR pond.