Around The Homefront
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The garden pond built into the deck is in need of redevelopment and replacement. This project will involve:
- removing all the existing pond liner and support structure
- removing existing waterfall structure
- reshaping boundaries of pond to remove angles that stretch the liner
- digging the pond bottom to a consistent depth throughout
- re-installing padding and liner in the new shape
- rebuilding the waterfall feature
- installing a new skimmer-type recirculation system
- Repairing ans upgrading the lighting around the deck and pond
- Finishing out the trim around the pond
- installing a predator guard around the pond
- Installing new water plants in an easier to maintain configuration
- reintroducing fish to the pond
- other things as they arise
The project will proceed as time and weather allow. Images will display the project from start to finish.
PHASE ONE
PHASE TWO
PHASE THREE
As it was a few years ago. Now in need of upgrade and repair.
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The demolition begins.
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Trim is removed now and waterfall feature is being taken down.
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Closer waterfall feature look.
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The cavity remaining. I used to have large, biological filters in here in the past.
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The ponds water level is down.
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I remove the existing plants.
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These will probably die before I finish the project. I'll have to start anew.
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Another angle on the demolition.
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Decking stripped from structure.
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White trim shows where new pond walls will be.
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Another view from waterfall area.
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And another look. New pond will be L-shaped.
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Water removed. There are two layers of liner with carpet between the two. This is layer number one.
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Layer # one removed and carpet cut and removed.
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Layer number two (old, original) liner.
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Carpet padding exposed after liner removed. Many roots.
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Most of padding removed and waterfall structure partly dismantled.
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Shot of all the roots.
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Ready for new framework and dirt removal.
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The digging now begins.
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It will take awhile. There are thousands of roots to break free first.
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I've cut the beams to size. Need to add new cross member for new side.
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This is one of two piles of junk from the bottom.
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It's likely to take me a week to dig out all I need to remove. This phase could be a boring picture session.
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The digging produced a pile of padding and roots.
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But I finally started to make some headway.
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Stones, roots, hard packed dirt. All in a day's work.
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Had to remove a small tree that was in the way but also not doing well. More firewood for Geof and Belinda.
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As always, Rocks...Rocks.
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And Rocks and Rocks.
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Framing in place now. Leveled and ready...if I can get the dirt out.
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Framing near the new waterfall area.
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After a few days of delay for weather and other priorities, I finally got back to working on the roots removal. Here's one root to be removed...
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And here's the 'AFTER' with it gone.
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Here's the next root for removal...
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And the 'AFTER' with it gone.
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Roots are HARD WORK and take time and perseverence when done by hand.
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And it seems every one of them is wrapped around a rock somehow. I've been tossing them under the deck...
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And a few on the deck for use elsewhere. Two more root clusters to remove and I should be ready to complete the digging.
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I hit rocks last time so I had to run to the store for a properly sized bit and then sharpen the chainsaw.
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Also had to get a new handle for the sledge and install it.  |
Took a short look at the Crossvine now beginning to bloom.  |
Then at the first of two roots for today's removal effort.  |
And I removed it!
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This is the second of the two roots.
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And I removed it also!
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On to the large rock in my way with some serious digging in progress now that the roots are gone.  |
I did get quite a pile of them. After all, the pond sits in a grove (copse) of Live Oaks and a couple Hackberry trees.  |
But one more day's digs and I should be ready for Phase Three - the liner installation.  |
With the digging done I move on to the sides and liner installation.
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I used Hardy cement based paneling. It is impervious to water, strong, and easy to handle.
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These are merely four views of the sides installed. I will install carpet as a bottom base and cushion for the liner. It protects the liner from punctures from rocks or roots.
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The notches you see in all these pictures are to allow room in the sides for large rocks I didn't want to remove.
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The first layer of carpet for the base is in place. This carpet comes from our master bath...almost 30 years old.
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The carpet keeps the roots and rocks from damaging the liner.
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I will install a double layer of carpet base. This is the carpet from the room over the kitchen we will no longer need. It comes from the early 70s shag era.
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It is now in place and the edges are smoothed.
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I am ready to install the liner next. Then the circulation system, waterfalls, trim.
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The new liner spread on the garage floor.
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Fitting the liner to the pond cavity.
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The other view.
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The liner is cut to fit and the corner patched. When dried for 24 hours, I can proceed.
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Added more patching material for a safety margin. Will begin filling pond with water and working on waterfalls next.
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Electrical for pond filter and pump in place.
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Makeshift junction box..it works!
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Adding 200 gallons of water to test for leaks in the patches. You can see new waterfalls device in foreground.
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Filled pond after setting up pump and skimmer and hose to waterfall. Started waterfall and checked for leakes.
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Waterfall will be surrounded by plants and other things.
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Filtering system beginning to do its thing.
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Water beginning to look pretty clean.
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And we are beginning to see the end of the project - finally!
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New, wider trim is laid out.
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Old decking, upsidedown and recut is in place ready for screw down. Finish waterfall, plants on tiers and in pond, fish introduction, predator control and water control mechanisms to go.
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