Bricks are a great way to decorate, and if you’re building a pond it may be the type of element you’re considering. However, something to take note of is, will they work?
Bricks, while safe within the water of a pond, is not optimal for ponds. Redbrick doesn’t hold up in cold weather, and the clay within it can freeze, degrade, and break altogether. There are better alternatives to bricks in a pond such as engineering stone, liners, and pavers.
So how exactly can you use stone safely in your pond? We’ve figured out all the tips and tricks you need to do it right the first time while maintaining the integrity of your pond.
Dangers In Using Brick
Just because you can use brick, doesn’t always mean you should. When considering what material to use whilst building your pond, there are a few things you need to remember if you’re wanting to pursue brick.
- Bricks submerged in water may not maintain in the winter. Redbrick is porous and when submerged in water will absorb it to a certain point. In the winter, water can freeze within the structure of the brick, and cause it to crack and fall apart. This can cause a number of issues such as leaks, and eventual degradation of your pond.
- If you’re wanting to hold fish in your pond, using brick may be dangerous. Fish require a certain p.H. to thrive, and brick not only contains dye but can also have an impact on the p.H. of the water. This can make it unlivable or harmful for any fish that may be residing in your ponds!
- You may have to replace the internal wall sooner rather than later. When building your pond, one of the most important things is its stability. Creating a pond can be costly, and you want it to last as long as possible before having to alter or change something. A brick within a pond can deteriorate faster, and make it more costly in how frequently you may need to change your interior or update your pond as a whole.
How To Use Brick Safely
Bricks still aren’t going to be your number one material in pond building, but now you’re aware of the brick’s dangers. If you’re still passionate about using brick in your pond, here are a few things you can do to safely use brick, like a sealant, and a water softener.
- Add a sealant around the inside of your pond.: A sealant is similar to a trash bag in a bin, it protects the materials within the pond and any living creatures that may reside within it. This will keep the p.H. of your pond at the desired level, as well as allow for the brick to last longer.
- Use a water softener.: There are multiple items you can use to soften water, some even like cat litter. If one of your biggest issues is the p.H. of the water, using a water softener along with the brick can greatly lessen any chances of the p.H. being thrown off balance and hurting anything inside of it. However, this will not help with the brick cracking or changing.
What To Use Instead of Brick:
It may be discouraging to find you can’t use brick, but luckily there are a number of materials you can use instead. These materials will yield similar or even better results for your pond, and can be more customizable and cheaper to use than brick.
- Flexible Liner: As mentioned earlier, a liner is a great way to keep your bond safe. Instead of having stones within the water of your pond, a liner is a cheaper and more efficient material. These are not only safe for any fish or plants that are going to be living in your ponds waters, but they also keep your ponds p.H. levels at whatever you desire.
On top of this, liners are way cheap and super malleable. Stone has to be cut to fit your pond and can be much more costly depending on your material. Liners allow for your pond to be any shape or size you want, at the fraction of the price. This is one of the most popular materials to use.
You can also add cement on top of the liner for extra strength and durability. Check out our article on adding cement on top of pond liner to learn more. - Good Old Fashioned Dirt: This isn’t always a popular option, as dirt can make the water murky and muddy, which isn’t what everyone wants out of their pond. However, if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly pond, that doesn’t break the bank, natural material will allow for any fish or plants to thrive, all without you having to do much at all in terms of upkeep.
You do need to check for any leaks or rain-catching that may occur in your pond, however, as sometimes this can be detrimental to the grass or greenery around the pond. - Engineering Stone, These are the most common stone found in ponds. They’re a similar look and style to brick, but are denser. The density of this stone allows for very little water to get in and prevents cracking or deterioration. They have a smoother finish, but are a great option if you still want a stone interior to your pond without the harmful effects of bricks!
- Clay: Clay liners are great, environmentally friendly, and super popular. The only downside to clay is it tends to cost much more per square foot, as opposed to something like a silicone liner. Most people enjoy clay liners due to the appearance, and the variety of available colors.
It is also incredibly malleable, the way a silicone liner may be, and is a great way to keep the p.H. at your desired level without having to consistently check. Bentonite clay is the most common clay used, and can be found in quantities up to 100lbs.
Overall when looking into building a pond, bricks aren’t the best way to go. Building ponds are tricky, and you don’t want to do it the wrong way. You risk losing money, time, and materials. It’s best to avoid brick all together, despite any enthusiasm you may have towards it. When building your pond instead consider other types of materials, to avoid any mess-ups or setbacks.
Thinking of building a pond on a sandy soil? We got you covered. Check out our simple and easy to follow guide here.
