You want a strong and reliable pond liner without committing all of your time and energy to create it. How about using a Flex Seal product as a pond liner? It seems like this product could be a fast way to develop a sturdy pond liner.
You might be able to use Flex Seal successfully as a small pod liner (1 or 2′ or smaller) or to repair an existing one. You risk water breaking through a larger Flex Seal pond. In addition, the consequences of Flex Seal on plant and animal life are controversial but likely negative.
Read more below about whether Flex Seal could work for your pond liner or not, and how to make a Flex Seal pond liner if you choose to do so. You can find out about how Flex Seal might affect plants and animals, and read about some other pond liner possibilities if the Flex Seal pond liner isn’t right for you.
Flex Seal as a Pond Liner
Flex Seal might be a successful pond liner for a small pond. Keep in mind:
Cost: Flex Seal is costly, and you’ll need layer upon layer to ensure a dependable liner. The larger the pond gets, you’ll need infinitely more Flex Seal, and at the cost of at least $12.88 per can, your investment will add up faster than you might think.
Size: What size pond do you intend to make? You can probably only design a pond a foot or two each way maximum if you’re going with Flex Seal. Water may break through the Flex Seal if it is too large, and keep in mind; you’ll need a lot of layers.
Between price, size, and potential complications, Flex Seal is not a highly recommended pond liner option.
If you attempt to create a Flex Seal spray pond larger than a foot or two each way, you will probably find that the Flex Seal breaks on you when you pour the water in. If you want a chance at a successful Flex Seal pond, keep it as small as possible.
You should also beware of using Flex Seal for a pond liner if you want plant or marine life to thrive there. Read more about that topic below in the “Is Flex Seal Safe for Fish and Plant Life?” section.
Flex Seal: Uncertain Pond Liner, Reliable Repair Tool
You will likely have more success repairing an existing pond liner with Flex Seal than designing a new liner solely with Flex Seal.
Real people who use Flex Seal tape or spray to join two pieces of pond liner together are pleasantly surprised by the results. Flex Seal clear adhesive can also be used to repair leaks in pond hoses, seal aging pond liners, seal cracks in concrete ponds, and more.
How Do I Use Flex Seal as a Pond Liner?
If you think Flex Seal will work for your purposes, here’s how to go about designing a pond liner with Flex Seal spray:
- Stock up on spray: You’ll likely need several cans to get the job done.
- Dig your hole: It’s probably best to keep the hole small, one or two feet each way.
- Get a mask: Find a way to filter your air while you spray the Flex Seal.
- Layers upon layers: Several thin coats are highly recommended over one thick one.
- Watch it start to dry: Stay with your pond liner for a moment to fill in cracks while it dries. Be sure to stand as far away from your hole as you can, just close enough to fill the cracks with the spray. If you get too close, you may further crack the liner or dump dirt into your pond.
- Allow it to cure: Give your new pond liner plenty of time to dry and cure. You can check its dryness around 24 hours.
- Fill with water!
Are you planning to repair a pond liner with Flex Seal? If you want to repair a pond liner rather than build a pond liner with Flex Seal, here’s a helpful video:
What Else Can I Use as a Pond Liner?
If you decide Flex Seal isn’t your first choice for a pond liner, you may be wondering what other materials and methods you can use as a pond liner.
Polyethylene liner: This material is lightweight and the best choice for large ponds, because a single piece can be manufactured as large as 60,000 square feet.
EPDM liners can be more costly but are high-quality, so you will not have to replace your liner anytime soon. Here’s a link to an EPDM pond liner on Amazon.
PVC liner: PVC liners are low-weight and more affordable. A UV-resistant PVC liner could be a nice choice for a smaller pond.
Here is a link to a PVC pond liner on Amazon.
Tarpaulin: Tarp is a strong choice when it comes to holding water because it has a polyethylene coating. It is also long-lasting because underneath the polyethylene coating is a durable canvas or polyester.
Here is a link to a dependable tarp on Amazon.
Lime and clay: As an alternative to a liner, a lime and clay cover will retain pondwater. The method consists of applying a layer of lime and then a clay layer on top.
Here are some instructions to help you with your lime and clay pond liner.
If you’re not satisfied with any of these possibilities for pond liners, you can read about some more alternatives here.
Is Flex Seal Safe for Fish and Plant Life?
On the Flex Seal products blog, you will find a question and answer supporting the safety of the product for plant and marine life:
Q: Is Flex Seal Liquid safe to use on a fishpond with live fish?
A: Once fully cured, Flex Seal Liquid is safe around plants and animals.
However, on the Flex Seal FAQS page, you’ll find:
Q: Can I use Flex Glue on drinking water, rain barrels, fish tanks, etc.?
A: Flex Glue has not been tested for use on potable water sources.
One individual who tested Flex Seal on their small fish pond wrote a negative testimonial regarding fish and plant life. After sealing a leak with Flex Seal, they found that a day later, the water looked very dirty. They claimed: “the plants look sick. Thankfully I moved the fish out.”
Conversely, on Flex Seal’s Twitter, the brand claims: “Flex Glue can be used to seal aquariums, please make sure to add the fish and water once Flex Glue has completely dried and cured.”
The bottom line
Some individuals choose to use Flex Seal to create or repair pond liners, even if it’s a home to plant or marine life. However, the side effects are controversial and may be harmful to living things.
While Flex Seal can be a quick and convenient pond liner option, it may not be the best for large ponds or ponds with living things inside. If you plan to put plants or animals in your pond, it is safer to opt for a more traditional pond liner or a natural substitute rather than Flex Seal.
If you do choose to use Flex Seal as a large pond liner or a pond liner that will home plant or marine life, leave it to dry and cure as long as possible, even more than 24 hours if you can.