DE-MYSTIFYING THE INSTALLATION OF BOTTOM DRAINS AND SEAMING LINERS.

Water gardens & Koi pond liners that have folds accumulate lots of gas pockets which do cause many problems later on.  Too decrease the amount of potential fish sickness I cut and seam every liner.  I also apply the same application to our bottom drains and skimmers. We use a 6" wide tape that provides extra protection as it overlaps the entire seam each time.  We also found that if we didn't caulk the entire seam it would lift causing leaks.

COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS:  Always work in 4' lengths.

1. Lay the underliner down and in place. 
2. Do not over-lap.
3. Tape each seam together so it lays flat.
4. Always start in one corner and work around the pond.
5. Now lay your liner down and let the sun relax it for at least 2 hours.
6. Your liner will be easier to work with and now you can fold it because it's too large for the radius.
7. Next, you will need to overlap the liner preparing to cut your seams. This is also to create a straight seam and get rid of the excess rubber.
8. Cut your liner making sure to keep a straight line.
9. Open it up and clean the underneath and the top with lacquer thinner.
10. Take a magic marker and draw a line down the overlap.

GLUE:

1. You should have at least a 3-6" overlap.
2. Start by applying glue to the back of the top and the face of the bottom (same way as formica is done).  The glue goes to the line that you drew with the magic marker.
3. Both sides must be tacky before you bond them together.
4. Take your top piece of liner and hold it in the air.
5. Bring it to the line on the bottom liner. 
6. Start at the bottom and make sure that the top of the liner is over the lline before you start putting pressure against the bottom of the seam.
7. Hand rub it all the way up.  Wipe the top with lacquer thinner.

SEAMING TAPE: NO SQUARE CORNERS.  CUT EACH CORNER SO IT IS ROUNDED OR YOUR TAPE WILL LIFT!

1. Cut the seaming tape to overlap the bottom seam by 3" and go all the way to the top and beyond to the outside edge of the stone shelve.
2. Lay the tape on the rubber where it is going to go.  Draw a line with a magic marker around the tape.
3. Now you know where to glue it.
4. The tape needs to be glued as well as the liner.
5. Remove the plastic coating off the tape.
6. Lay it on a clean surface.
7. Put the glue on the tape and the liner between the 2 lines,
8. When tacky start putting the tape on from the bottom and work  your way up.
9. If you get an air bubble you can cut it out later and then put a patch on it.

CAULKING:

1. Cut a 45 degree angle on the tip of the tube of caulk.
2. Now place a thin bead of caulk right over the seams all the way around.
3. The tape needs to be glued as well as the liner.

DO NOT TOUCH IT AGAIN.  IT WILL LAY DOWN FLAT ONN ITS OWN AND WILL BOND THE TAPE TO THE LINER.