Liner and Pool Cover Material Thickness

Depending on where you are from you will have heard the terms mil, micron and millimetres to describe the thickness of pool, dam and pond liners as well as Pool Covers. Mil is an imperial US term, micron is a technical term that has been in use for a number of decades and millimetre is the proper metric way of stating a material thickness.

A simple ratio exists between them all:

1 Mil = 1/1000th of an inch = 0.0254 mm

1 micron is 1/1000 of a millimetre (mm)

 

Where did these terms come from? Some interesting History

Mil: -The use of Mil as equalling 0.024 inches in measuring and engineering was first used by Henry Ford as a better, consistant measuring system for his car parts. The Swedish inventor Carl Edward Johansson actually chose the relationship as it allowed switching between metric and imperial threads in a lathe by using wheels with 100 and 127 cogs on them. At this point in history there were many different “inch” lengths, and the development of the “standard inch” ended up taking about 30 years. The mil terms remains a purely American engineering term.

Metre and Millimetre:- The origin of the SI unit metre began in 1668 when the English cleric and philosopher John Wilkins proposed a decimal based unit of length. On the 27th of October 1790 the French Academy of Sciences suggested a basic unit of length equal to one ten-millionth of the distance between the North Pole and the Equator, to be called the metre. The first occurrence of metre in this sense in English dates to 1797.

Over the decades, this definition has been refined so now the current definition of a metre (or meter if are in the US) is the length that light will travel in a vacuum in 1/(299 792 458) of a second. Ok, enough of the nerdy stuff, so you have for example a 500 micron pool liner, what does this really mean? Using the above ratios, 500 microns is simply 0.5 mm or 20 mil

The Thickness of Pool Covers

The thickness of a pool cover is usually measured in microns, and does not include the bubble height. Common pool cover thicknesses are 250, 400, 500 and 600 microns. Typically the thicker the material, the longer it can withstand the Australian sun, but the heavier it will be.

The Thickness of Pool Liners

Pool liners are usually measured in mm, and the recommended thickness for an inground pool liner is 0.75 mm. For an above ground pool, 0.5 mm is the recommended thickness. While it is possible to buy thicker liners, remember that these are not always better as the tracking used to hold the liner in is usually only designed for a specific thickness. Becareful if you go thinner, this is because the material has to stretch into place, and below these thicknesses the material might become too thin where it stretches and is more likely to fail.

For More Information Visit:- Pool Liners

Our tank liners are suitable for both above and below ground tanks

Most water tanks today come with a 10yr warranty or longer. However after a number of years it is possible that a leak will form. Your options for repair will then depend on the type of tank you have.

Types of tanks:

Concrete – a very solid construction, requiring good ground preparation. Bushfire proof and the only type of tank that can be placed inground. Concrete has a high thermal mass, naturally keeping stored water cooler as well as neutralising acid in the water. Cooler water means much lower risk of algae blooms and other bacteria forming. However can be prone to cracking with ground movements. Tends to be the worst for overall environmental impact.

Poly Tank – a lighter more cost effective solution that is very popular in residential situations. Tanks are made from polyethylene in a variety of colours with minimal impact on the environment. The tanks are generally easy to maintain and are 100% recyclable. Poly tanks are very strong, won’t rust and less likely to crack than concrete tanks. Tanks come with a minimum 10yr guarantee, but tend to use BPA and UV inhibitors in the manufacturing process. Poly tanks also have a very low thermal mass, so water will warm on hot days, which can be an issue with bacterial growth.

Steel Modular Panel Tanks – long life span (usually a 20yr warranty) and keeps water cool. Comes in a range of styles and finishes, with a flat roof structure. Stainless steel tanks can also be considered the best environmentally, with almost 100% recyclability at end of life, but tends to be the most expensive.

When fixing a tank, there are only a few methods that can be be considered:

Application of a sealant

pros – inexpensive for concrete tanks if done properly and is some cases the water won’t need to be drained before application.

cons – will not generally work on poly tanks, and needs to be flexible to accommodate tank movement.

Welding (plastic or steel)

pros – This is an effective way to repair poly tanks, as done properly the weld is about as strong as the original plastic.

cons – need to remove water to make repairs, and join strength is dependent on the skill of the operator.

Use of a tank liner

pros – very flexible and will move accommodate ground movements easily. Custom made to fit any tank. Usually comes with a 10yr guarantee. Will fit any almost any tank that is still structurally sound. Does not usually need the same level of preparation as applied coatings do. Also if you can get inside the tank, you can usually install the liner yourself.

cons – you will have to empty the tank. Must be careful with abrasive surfaces as it is possible to puncture lining.

For More Information Visit:-  Tank Liner

Pond Liners are UV resistant and composed of non-toxic materials

Which pond liner should I use for my new pond?

There are several factors you will need to consider when building your pond liner to ensure you get the maximum lifespan possible.The first thing you need to do is determine what the ground (substrate) is like. Is it rocky, are there a lot of tree roots, or anything else that might potentially damaged the liner. Next you will need to determine what sort of aquatic life you want to keep in your pond. Are you putting in creatures with sharp claws like crabs, crayfish etc.

A proper pond liner will be UV resistant and composed of non-toxic materials that will last a long time outdoors. Proper pond liners are rot resistant as they spend its lifetime submerged in water, but not mildew or algae resistant, otherwise marine and aquatic life will not survive. This means you cannot use a pool liner for a pond liner, as the chemicals in a pool liner may harm aquatic life.

Many people think they can get away with normal builders plastic as well. However this material, while cheap, is not guaranteed to be pin hole free. In addition to this, it is very thin (100 – 200 microns) and they are usually not UV resistant and tend to break down and fail quite quickly.

There are some common materials used in making a pond liner:

EPDM

Butyl Rubber

LLDPE

HDPE

PVC

About The Different Materials

EPDM – (Ethylene Proplyene Diene Monomer) and Butyl Rubber are used when very long life spans are needed and where the soil is rocky and uneven. It is the material usually recommended by a lot of gardening shows. It is one of the more expensive options, but it is easy to use.

HDPE – (High Density PolyEthylene) – its a high quality PolyEthylene liner that has a long lifespan (12 yrs up to 30 yrs), and is very flexible. Its is very friendly to aquatic life.

LLDPE – (Liner Low Density PolyEthylene) – is a more flexible version of the HDPE liner. The main difference being that UV and chemical resistance is a little lower(up to around 12 yrs). Still has very good puncture resistance and is very flexible.

PVC – (poly Vinyl Chloride) – if you buy this material, ensure the product is sold as a pond liner and not some other use. Otherwise you will find that your aquatic life will not survive. PVC pond liners are at the cheaper end of the market and should not be used in areas of high puncture or wear resistance will occur, but they do offer good value for money.Most liners will be between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm. Generally, the thinner the material, the cheaper it is to buy, but the less robust the material will be. Consider your ground conditions and your minimum temperatures. If it gets very cold, choose a more robust liner.

How big should my pond liner be?

The size of your liner must include enough vertical height, so remember to add on the length and width at least twice the depth of pond. Also allow enough extra pond liner to finish of the edges.

Should I use an underlay?

An underlay can be used to help protect the liner against sharp objects in the soil.

How long will my pond liner last

Depending on the material, grade and thickness, you can expect a lifespan from 8 to 30 yrs plus.

How do I look after my pond liner?

For any liner that you do choose, there are a few things you can do to help get the maximum lifespan from it.

1. expose as little of the liner as possible to direct sunlight. Consider finishing edges with rocks or other features.
2. do not allow any animals to move over the liner.
3. when placing rocks or heavy objects, do not drag them over the liner
4. when preparing the pond for installation of the liner, make sure all sharp sticks and rocks are cleared from the soil. In rocky conditions consider an underlay.

My pond liner has a tear, can I patch this?

Nearly all pond liner materials have a patch kit available to repair or patch any tears or rips that may occur.

For More Information Visit:- Pond Liner

Onion tank offer a long service life

Also referred to as a collar tank, collar dam or onion bladder tank, an onion tank is a self supporting, easily relocatable liquid storage tank made from a variety of fabrics like reinforced PVC. Distinctive by the central foam filled collar that rises as the tank is filled. Given the unique way an onion tank is made and filled, they allow for very quick setup times. Typically 1 or 2 people can have a unit ready to go in about 5 or 10 mins.

So what can an onion tank be use for? well anywhere that the temporary storage of liquids is required, and where rapid deployment is needed. Some of the applications where an onion tank may be used;

• remote site water supply (such as drilling and exploration operations)
• bushfire fighting water tanks in remote locations (particularly as a water station for helicopter water buckets where they are filled from a shallower source)
• temporary water storage that easily fits on the back of a ute or truck when packed (e.g. for swimming pool maintenance)
• temporary farm and rural water tanks that can be shifted as and when required
• spill containment particularly where fast deployment and filling of a tank are critical

Suitable storage capacities range from 1,000 litres to 30,000 litres and are made from scrim reinforced materials, with the ability to withstand great tensile loads. When properly maintained, an onion tank will offer a long service life, and are suitable for ongoing use.

For More Information Visit:- Onion Tank

Bunding is designed for quick and easy deployment

With a growing legal and moral need for companies to  environmentally responsible with how chemicals are contained on worksites, more companies are turning to spill bunding as an ideal way stop contamination to the environment.

 Applications can vary greatly, from containment of dangerous chemicals such as hydrocarbons, isolating wash bays and drive on-off fuel transfer bunds to the isolation of equipment such as pumps and generators just to name a few examples.

When the need to contain potential spills is identified, spill bunds are effective because:

• They are reusable and relocatable
• Spill bunding can have either foam filled sides, collapsible sides or even air inflated side walls
• Bunding is designed for quick and easy deployment
• Its designed to be driven over
• Manufactured from a range of materials that are chemical and fuel resistant as well as oil and fat resistant
• Lightweight and easily stored when not in use (storage bags can be supplied if required)
• Can be fitted with drain points and/or collection sumps
• Easy to clean
• Available in a range of standard sizes for smaller application
• Can be manufactured to any size

So when you want peace of mind, call Fabric Solutions today, and we can customise a solution for you.

For More Information Visit:- Bunding

Fabric Solutions pool cover are easiest to use

Swimming pool covers are one of the best inventions in pool technology. They help you save time and money by reducing maintenance, reducing water loss, reducing chemical usage and increasing heat retention. A Fabric Solutions pool cover are the finest, and easiest-to-use pool covers you can buy for protecting your swimming pool all year-round.

Fabric Solutions Australia pool cover and pool blankets we specifically designed to keep the heat in and debris out. Fitting the patented diamond shaped bubble pool cover can increase pool temperatures by up to 8°C, extending your pool swimming season by up to 3 months. This makes a pool cover or blanket a must have addition to any pool. Our innovative, diamond bubble-shaped solar blanket will increase heat retention, eliminate evaporation almost completely (up t o 97% in some areas) and reduce running costs in terms of maintenance and pool chemical consumption. Our solar blankets will also dramatically reduce the amount of dust and general debris that gets into your pool, saving you maintenance time.

 The unique diamond shape design allows for greater packing of the bubbles than traditional round bubbles. It is the bubbles that trap the heat, so this in turn allows greater heat retention. Also available is the Space Age pool blanket with the aluminium/silver layer to collect more of the sun’s rays allowing for further heat retention (up to 23% greater heat retention over original round bubbles). Combined with full 3 yr replacement warranties, you know are going to get a quality product.

For More Information Visit:- Pool Cover