Many factors can cause a dam or pond to leak. Problems during construction, soil type, obstructions & simply the age of a dam can cause leaks. Identifying where the issue is allows you to focus on the leaking area & not the whole dam. If you know the location of the leak, our Water$ave Dam Sealers can be applied directly to the identified area.

Construction

If a dam is not built correctly it will not hold water. A common mistake is not ensuring there is a key in the wall during the construction. This can cause a wet area to form outside the dam wall, with water likely to be leaking through or under the wall.

Soil Type

When compacted, clay is the ideal material for building an earth-based dam. Manly sandy/fine or coarse/rocky soil may struggle to hold water. Most dams have a combination of these soil types but will have a higher percentage of one type.

Obstructions

It is not uncommon for the surround landscape to make its mark on a dam. If the dam already has existing obstructions such as large boulders, these can cause a weak point in the dam. When the dam fills & empties overtime may erode the obstructions causing cracks or voids. Obstructions such as fallen branches can puncher & alter the dam’s structure. Vegetation in or around the dam can also do this as it grows & dies.

Age

A dam may hold water for many years before it starts to show signs of leaking. Dramatic changes to the water levels for long periods of time either through lack of use or drought can cause a dam to dry out. This can result in cracking & cavities.

Liners

If a liner is incorrectly installed, a dam can continue to leak. If the joins & edges are not laid correctly, gaps can form reducing the effectiveness of the liner. Liners can also be ripped or torn during installation or by wildlife & cattle who use the dam. Falling branches & debris can also puncher the liner. Vegetation in & around the dam can reduce the effectiveness of the liner as it grows & dies as well.

How Do I Stop The Leak?

Try one of our Water$ave Dam Sealers. Water$ave Plug or Seep can be applied directly to the water surface by hand or with a small fertiliser spreader. Water$ave is drawn into the cracks & voids, sealing the leak. For more information head to Earthen Dam & Ponds or Contact Us for a FREE dam assessment from one of our dam experts.