Desperate help needed

[Modeen]

Guys hope you can offer some guidance.

just moved into new house with pond and never kept any type of fish before. I would say it has around 20 goldfish in it some as big 8”. The pond hasent had much tlc and as you can see from breeze block walls they are loose and could collapse.The pond liner goes underneath the breeze blocks and up the back of them. What would you suggest is best way to repair with minimal disruption to fish or will I need to start from fresh?

many thanks

 

[TheFishGuy]

Guys hope you can offer some guidance.

just moved into new house with pond and never kept any type of fish before. I would say it has around 20 goldfish in it some as big 8”. The pond hasent had much tlc and as you can see from breeze block walls they are loose and could collapse.The pond liner goes underneath the breeze blocks and up the back of them. What would you suggest is best way to repair with minimal disruption to fish or will I need to start from fresh?

many thanks

Welcome!

It seems your pond is in fairly good shape, just needs some cleaning up around the edges, and possibly pull out the breeze block and replace it with other edging such as river rock or flagstone.

On the lower side I would leave the block, as it looks fairly stable, and possibly use flagstone on top of it for edging, and on the higher side possibly remove the breezeblock, and backfill in the notch, so that you would have a flat side for edging, or there are many ways to use a notch to your advantage!

I am sure others will have better ideas, but I hope you will enjoy it here!

 

[Gemma]

I'm sure there are things that you could do to disguise the problem, but if the walls are collapsing you will have to rebuild the structure sooner or later.
If it was my pond, I would leave it alone until Spring and then I would do it over.
Welcome to the Forum!

 

[TheFishGuy]

I'm sure there are things that you could do to disguise the problem, but if the walls are collapsing you will have to rebuild the structure sooner or later.
If it was my pond, I would leave it alone until Spring and then I would do it over.
Welcome to the Forum!

I think they are mentioning just the breeze block edging, that was what my answer was based off of, but if the whole side wall of the pond is collapsing, then sure as heck I would do it over again.

 

[cas]

Welcome!
From the pictures the blocks don't look that bad. When you say 'loose and could collapse', do you mean if any weight is put on them that they would fall into the pond? If that is the case, maybe all that is needed is for you to lower the water level of the pond a little below the blocks, remove that top row, dig under the liner and make the shelf that they are sitting on a little wider and angled back so the rocks don't lean towards the pond.

 

[Modeen]

Yes the top row of breeze blocks are nearly all loose and especially on the back row could fall in if any weight was put on them due to the angle they are sitting at , I think I will remove the top row of breeze blocks on the back and see what’s going on underneath as whatever they are sitting on is not doing it’s job , I’m trying to avoid having to totally drain pond and rehouse all the fish , wish me luck

 

[j.w]

@Modeen
I agree if it's just the blocks that need replacing that will be easy.
I like your little helper pup looking like he/she wants to get busy and get this project going

 

[clark kent]

Yes the top row of breeze blocks are nearly all loose and especially on the back row could fall in if any weight was put on them due to the angle they are sitting at , I think I will remove the top row of breeze blocks on the back and see what’s going on underneath as whatever they are sitting on is not doing it’s job , I’m trying to avoid having to totally drain pond and rehouse all the fish , wish me luck

I assume you are worried about the three breeze blocks adjacent to the planter against the fence. They do look a little askew. Removing that top row of blocks and maybe leveling the area that they rest on is likely as far as you'll have to go. Assuming there are no leaks or a badly deteriorated liner, totally draining the pond is likely not going to be necessary.

I just took possession of a house with a neglected pond back in March, and I also knew nothing about taking care of a pond and fish. It's not as difficult as you might think it is.

 

[combatwombat]

If it's just the blocks around the edge of the blocks, I would remove them, fold the liner back and make sure you have a level base to set them on. And as long as they will be kept above the water line, you could also mortar them together to keep them sturdy when you put them back.

 

[Gemma]

I think they are mentioning just the breeze block edging, that was what my answer was based off of, but if the whole side wall of the pond is collapsing, then sure as heck I would do it over again.

I misunderstood, sorry!

 

[TheFishGuy]

No need to apologize

 

[Stephen Noble]

Welcome Modeen! It looks like the unstable rocks are adjacent to that planter pot next to the fence. That pot looks very heavy and I bet, slowly over time, it is settling. I'm thinking you will good to go if you remove the pot and gingerly reset those blocks. Might be worth a try.

 

[JamieB]

If you are interested in keeping the pond, this is the place to learn. Read through the threads, see the issues others have had, and the solutions we offered. This is a great community, lots of great advice.

 

[addy1]

Welcome to our forum!

Agree with above just reseat the breeze blocks, no need to redo the entire pond.

 

[Modeen]

Ok team , found the problem or a
Few shall I say No1 the owner had them creeper type plants growing up the fence and the roots as per picture have basically busted stone blocks (not breeze blocks as thought) also problem no two I’ve removed the block but underneath is just carpet and kitchen Lino I was thinking of laying a bed of cement as flat as possible , putting back the lining of the pond and then placing the heavy stones back on top and tying it all in with a layer of cement in between stones and on top , what do you all thing , thanks in advance