pondtechnology.com - SEAMING RUBBER LINERS

	SEAMING RUBBER LINERS Sheets of Butyl or EPDM rubber can be permanently joined by applying PondTechnology Seam Tape between the sheets and PondTechnology Cured Repair Tape over the resulting seam. Uncured Repair Tape should be substituted when over irregular surfaces. For non-critical seams, such as seams between a stream and a pond, it's possible to eliminate the repair tapes completely. For best results purchase PondTechnology Seam Cleaner/Primer. As an alternative, you can substitute toluene or naptha (sometimes called VM&P Naptha) sold in paint stores. Do not use any other solvents since they may prevent proper adhesion! Since this procedure requires that backup boards be placed under the entire seam area, it is only practical for seams less than fifteen feet long where the wood can be easily extracted. Contact us for information about making longer seams. Seam Tape, 3", per foot, $1.20 Seam Tape, 3", 100 ft foll, $76.00 Cured Repair Tape, 6", per foot, $2.40 Cured Repair Tape, 6", 100 ft roll, $168.00 Cured Repair Tape, 12", per foot, $4.80 Cured Repair Tape, 12", 50 ft roll, $168.00 Uncured Repair Tape, 6", per foot, $2.40 Uncured Repair Tape, 6", 100 ft roll, $168.00 Professional Seam Roller, $19.80 Seam Cleaner/Primer, pint, $call Seam Cleaner/Primer, quart, $call Scrubbing Pad, $0.20 EPDM Caulk, $4.00
	SEAMING PROCEDURE: Step 1: Begin by laying a plywood board (corners should be rounded or taped) under the area to be seamed. Overlap the two rubber sheets at least 3".

	Step 2: Fold back the top sheet. Wearing protective gloves, apply seam cleaner/primer to both exposed rubber surfaces and scrub vigorously with a plastic scouring pad. If you substitute solvent, you must repeatedly apply the solvent, scrub, and wipe with a lint-free cloth until the rubber is dark black, and then wipe once more with a clean solvent-saturated cloth.

	Step 3: After the cleaner/primer is completely dry, or the solvent has evaporated, apply Seam Tape to the edge of the folded sheet. The black tape should extend slightly past the edge of the rubber. Do not remove the paper backing from the tape! If the tape starts to run off-track, cut it and make a splice by overlapping at least one inch.

	Step 4: Press the paper backing with your hands in a sweeping motion to force out air trapped beneath. Then roll with a 2" to 3" wide roller angled 45° to the tape edge.

	Step 5: After checking to see that the bottom sheet is still clean, flip the taped sheet back over the other sheet. Note that the paper backing is still in place.

	Step 6: Reach under the top sheet and grab the end of the paper backing. Pull it out slowly with one hand, pressing the rubber with the other hand in a sweeping motion to force out air trapped beneath the tape.

	Step 7: Roll the seam with the roller angled to the seam edge. Then roll several times along the length of the seam, leaning onto the roller to apply maximum pressure.

	Step 8: Prepare at least 6" on both sides of the seam with cleaner/primer or solvent exactly as before. When using solvent, apply it sparingly at the seam because too much can separate the tape just applied!

	Step 9: Center a 6" wide strip of Repair Tape over the seam so that there is a 3" overlap on either side. Then peel back the paper backing at one end and carefully make contact with the liner.

	Step 10: Reach under the repair tape and grab the end of the paper backing. Pull it out slowly with one hand, pressing the rubber with the other hand in a sweeping motion to force out air trapped beneath the tape.

	Step 11: Roll the seam with the roller angled to the seam edge. Then roll several times along the length of the seam, leaning onto the roller to apply maximum pressure. Wait 24 hours before filling the pond.
	© 2006 Resource Conservation Technology Inc