Bring Your Old Pond Back to Life

What should you do to revitalize your old pond? Here are a few steps to take.

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Inspect

The first step to restoring just about anything is to find out what the current condition is. Get up close to your pond, starting at the edges. What problems does it have — overgrown weeds, lack of irrigation, or debris in the water? What systems may still be intact? You may want to climb into the pond if it's low and assess how deep it is and how the edges appear. Is there a pond liner? Finally, check for pumps and drainage.

Aerate

Aeration is vital for any water feature, particularly if you want to bring in fish or other wildlife and keep out insects. You'll need to get a water pump working or installed to get the ball rolling. Aeration will help with future tasks like removing debris or oil, getting rid of insects, and circulating positive organics.

If a significant build-up of silt is under the pond, or if you think you'll be changing the shape of the pond, opt for a larger pump than you might need for the current size. Stronger pumps can work for smaller areas, but if you get a pump that's too small, it'll never be sufficient.

Dig Out

Think about the water levels and shore shapes. The water level is generally determined by what you want to do with the pond. If you want to add fish, for instance, you generally need a pond that's deeper than two feet. If you have pets and want them to enjoy the water, the pond may need to be customized to the pet sizes. If, instead, you don't want to risk pets or kids around the water, a shallow water feature is probably better.

If a lot of debris and soil has washed into the pond over the years, you may be able to dredge the bottom to remove the excess. This digging could be a DIY job, but you may need bigger equipment if there's a lot to remove or if the debris includes rocks.

Remove Debris

Now you're ready to start removing the debris that's probably clogging the pond. Most old ponds become overgrown around the edges, so start by removing weeds by hand or with gardening tools. Avoid chemicals that could seep into the water or soil around the water. Climb inside the pond and clear unwanted plants growing in the pond itself. You'll probably want to remove at least one-third of greenery.

When you're done, use a burlap sack or pool skimmer to rake over the surface and sweep up scum and debris. You may need to do this a number of times as the pond heals itself.

Maintain

Once you've cleared out the old damage, you'll have to work a little extra to bring the pond back to health. Look for a pond care package that includes materials to kill algae and introduce helpful bacteria to the water. Install water plants to beautify the space as well as to encourage good insects and small wildlife.

Keep in mind that the pond didn't become a mess in one day, and it will take more than one day to get it back into shape. This will be a long-term — but rewarding — task. For more help assessing your pond's current situation and how you can get started cleaning it up, contact Henry Drilling . With years of experience working with aeration and pumps, we can help you restore any water feature today.