Repairing a concrete pond can seem a daunting task. However, if you know what is needed prior to performing the repair, the task will be that much easier. The following list is made up of everything you could possibly need in order to get the job done quickly and correctly. Assuming the pond has been drained, you will need the following:
Cleaning tools – Scrub brushes, rags and pressure washer are the minimum cleaning tools needed. These will be used to scrub any organics off of the surface that requires repair. Buckets, a garden hose and any other item you think might aid in washing and rinsing the affected area are also helpful.
Trash receptacles – Trash bags and a good trash can will be needed to dispose of unwanted debris.
Scraper – Use a scraper to dislodge anything organic that was not removed with the pressure washer. It can also be used to scrap away failing coating around the affected area. If the concrete has cracked through and the coating has been compromised, it will need to be feathered back from the crack.
Angle grinder and cutting wheel – use and angle grinder and cutting wheel to cut straight down into a crack at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep depending upon the concrete thickness. This is to allow the new epoxy to get further into the crack where it can bond to and essentially glue the crack back together. If the repair consists of replacing a chunk of missing concrete, the angle grinder can be used to smooth the area and ready it for the addition of more concrete.
Sander – Usually and angle grinder can be used to feather back the existing coating but a sander will work just as well for this purpose.
Pond Shield – Use for fixing a crack in concrete to essentially glue the crack back together.
Fiberglass – 1.5 ounce chopped strand fiberglass mat is used in conjunction with the Pond Shield in order to give the surface of the concrete pond repair additional strength.
Concrete and bonding agent – If the surface being repaired consists of a missing piece of concrete, then concrete and a good bonding agent are needed. Because concrete does not stick well to concrete a binding agent is used to aid in the bond between the two. using a polymer concrete like hydraulic concrete or an accelerated concrete means the curing process will be quicker (7 days) at which point the surface can be cleaned and ready for the epoxy coating.
Muraitic acid – Used to clean new and old concrete before applying an epoxy like Pond Shield. Concrete hydrates and pushes calcium sulphate to the surface during this process. The acid is mixed 1 part acid to 3 parts water and applied over the concrete to clean away the calcium sulphate before coating.
Paint brushes and paint rollers – These will be used to apply the new coating prior to putting the concrete pond repair back into service.
There is a general walk-through in regards to fixing cracks in concrete that may aid you. It is called “Got a Crack in Your Pond? Easy Methods of Fixing a Crack in Your Pond” and can be found by clicking the link. if you have any questions, please contact us.
