| I have had five major ponds in the last twenty years. Many of you have seen various pictures of them over the years including when I had an alligator get into my garden pond. The ponds have ranged in size from 4500 gallons to 39,000 gallons. I have had Fiberglass, EPDM and Polyurea coatings. I am not telling you this to boast but to let you know I am not someone who is just talking theory but have had real experience with these products. In my opinion Polyurea is by far the best possible product available in today’s market.
First, anyone who has ever owed a gunite or concrete pool with a plaster coating knows that the question is not if it will leak it is when it will leak. Maybe this is because I live in SW Florida and the ground is soft but every one of my friends from other parts of the country has told me the same thing. The flexible coating of Polyurea eliminates this problem.
Second, Polyurea is not a do it yourself product. I know I went to the expense of buying my own rig. I thought that this would be handy to have and play with. While I do know how to spray properly I have no desire to do such a hot nasty job. As I have gotten older in life I take my pleasures were I can get them and spraying poly is not one of them I would rather watch my koi and enjoy the pond. A professionally installed poly linear is a life time product. You only need to do it once and it is done. The reason it is important to have a competent installer is ponds are very complex; I have yet to see one with out its own issues either because of shape, plumbing or location. Real Professionals have had to deal with many situations and generaly know how to work their way through them. I have and would recommend at least 100mils of the product being applied over a sound substrate, If you are using a flexible substrate I would never want anything less than 120 mils
My third point is cost. While poly is not cheep, after several ponds I have learned building right the first time is the only way to go. I would rather take five years to save and pay for building a pond than build it on the cheep and spend five years fixing it only to tear it all out and start all over. Now I am not saying there are not other alternatives. I know many EPDM liner ponds that are very successful and I know nobody researches the cost on any product like my friend Luke. However if you are going to the expense of building a first class koi pond then do yourself a favor and do it with the best possible materials.
As far as customer service everyone has different expectations as to what level of service you need. For me I want it done right the first time and I hope not to need customer service after the job is done. If you have a good installer or a great product they should be able to give a long list of satisfied customers. Do your home work and check their references. I am always skeptical of references obtained form the internet. Unfortunately the internet has become a place were many people have lot of hidden agendas. If you are looking to have something done ask the vendor for local references and either visit or talk to their clients directly.
I really do love the poly product it is a great material.
John
Disclaimer: While I have friends that build ponds for a living I do not. I receive no income from the koi or pond business what so ever. I learned a long time ago there are much easier ways of making money. I enjoy the hobby way to much to make a business of it.
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