Installing a Pipe Boot

Attaching piping through the wall of a pond is a scarry endeavor for some ponders. Deliberatly cutting a hole in the liner sounds like a forbidden taboo. You've probably seen this situation several times when visiting other ponds, and mabye even at your own pond. The pond has a submersable pump, and the piping comes up and over the pond edge before disappearing into the dirt. Oh, we make attemps to discuise the piping by painting it black, or covering it with rocks, or growing plants over or around it, but no matter how hard we try, it always seems to stick out and distract us from the beauty of the pond. The common alternative on the market is the bulkead fitting. They come in various sizes. A 2" fitting would work great for a pump line and typically cost you about $10. What if you needed bigger ? Say a 4" line for a gravity flow to a settling chamber. A 4" bulkhead fitting will cost you about $50. That price might make us be more conservative with our plumbing than is necessary. So the bulkhead fitting will work, but isn't there a cheaper alternatave ? If you are using rubber liner (EPDM), the answer Yes, and its so inexpensive, that you'll wonder why knowbody ever told you about it until now. Its called a pipe boot. It isnt a new concept, roofers and professional pond builders have been doing it for years. It will work on any diameter, from 1/2 inch pipe, to a 55 gallon barrel. The only item you need to purchase is a stainless steel hose clamp the diameter of your pipe. Can you invision connecting a 4" pipe through your liner for only $2. I can, and have many such connections throughout my pond system.

Step by step instructions are available on my DIY CD.