& Geosynthetic Liners
Installation Guide
Innovative Solutions
Waterproof your dam with a DURADAM liner for years to come!
PLEASE NOTE, YOU MUST READ THIS COMPLETELY BEFORE INSTALLATION
To get the most from your DURADAM dam liner, make sure you prepare the site properly. Failure to do so could
cause punctures, damage and pre-mature wear causing leakage leading to water loss.
Site Preparation
It is important that the dam surface is dry,
smooth as possible and that it is properly
compacted. All sharp objects such as tree
roots, stones, rocks or any other objects or
protrusions likely to damage the liner must be
removed prior to the dam liner being installed.
If you can walk on the dam liner surface and
leave noticeable footprints or leave wheel tracks
from vehicles, it may need further compaction.
Any dam liner needs to be properly secured
around the perimeter. Most commonly this is
done with an anchor trench. The anchor trench
can either be a rectangular or a V trench. Please
see the anchor trench section of this installation
diagram.
If you want to cover your liner with soil cover, we
recommend that the dam wall slope is no
steeper than 1:3.
1
Anchor Trenchs
Excavate a continuous perimeter trench around
the top of the dam wall. This can be done using a
trench digger or back hoe etc. If using a V-trench
use an angled grader blade. The trench should be
far enough from the top edge of the dam wall to
provide adequate anchorage. Allow for an
approximately 300 to 500 mm over the buried liner.
Anchor Trench
Dam Liner
Backfill to secure liner
TOP OF DAM WALL
Typically
300 to
600 mm wide
3
Typically
300 mm
wide
A geotextile protection underlay or a layer of
sand or graded fill maybe required if the dam
surface can’t be suitably prepared.
Installing an Underlay
Most commonly the underlay will be supplied
as a single piece to match the finished size of
the dam. The underlay generally is only
required up to the top of the dam wall and does
not need to go into the anchor trench.
If the underlay has been supplied in multiple
pieces, each piece will need to be overlapped
approximately 300 mm.
Free Call:
Typically
300 mm to
500 mm
deep
Geotextile Underlay
NB. All measurements are an approximation only. You will
need to take into consideration your particular dam design.
V Shape Anchor Trench
450 mm min
450 mm
to
600 mm
1800 039 996
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fabricsolutions.com.au/dam-liners/
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Rev 4.03 page 1 of 3
& Geosynthetic Liners
Installation Guide
Innovative Solutions
PLEASE NOTE: Do not unpack the liner using sharp blades. Remove the packaging from the liner carefully to avoid damage.
Installing the Dam Liner
anchor
trench
1. Place the packaged liner in the position at your
dam as indicated on the unfolding diagram supplied
with the liner.
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clea
r
u
yo y dam
& dr
2. Completely unroll the liner and ensure it is centred
correctly. See diagram A.
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pu
1
l
ll
nro
d
on
ec
3. Pull out the liner as indicated on diagram A. You
will require approximately 1 person every 6 to 8
metres. Heavier liners may require more people.
Diagram A
u
direction and position
of unfolding
es
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8
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o
6 t er the md)
y
er lin ee
ev
the ill n
er ou w
i
v
y
ea
e h ple
(th peo
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1p
t
firs
Diagram B
move as quickly as possible and don’t stop.
Pull the liner right across in one
swift movement.
Diagram C
move as quickly as possible and don’t stop.
Pull the liner right across in one
swift movement.
Diagram D
4. Don’t drag the liner across the ground. You will need to
get some air under the liner to help it float above the ground.
Have all assistants simultaniously raise and lower the edge
of the liner to trap air underneath. Then pull the liner out in
one continuous movement. See diagrams B, C & D.
5. Once the liner is in place, remove all air pockets from
under the liner, see diagrams E and F. Ensure the liner sits
in full contact with the entire dam surface. This can be
achieved by adding some water or using sand bags.
Once you are satisfied the liner is correctly placed, secure
the liner in the anchor trench.
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1800 039 996
after putting the liner in place,
make sure there are no air pockets
floor wall junction
Diagram E
anchor the liner in the trench last
in case an adjustment is needed
the liner must be bedded all
the way around
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fabricsolutions.com.au/dam-liners/
Diagram F
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Rev 4.03 page 2 of 3
& Geosynthetic Liners
Installation Guide
Innovative Solutions
Covering the Dam Liner
Your DURADAM dam liner is made from quality UV stable material to give maximum life, so unlike
some cheaper dam liners, back filling with soil or use of UV matting is not essential for the warranted
service life.
However, if you wish you can still cover your liner to protect against animals or to extend the
servicable life of the liner. There are two ways you can do this:
Method 1.
Full coverage of the dam liner with sand or clean soil
to a minimum depth of 300 mm.
Full Covering a Liner to Maximise Lifespan
300 mm soil
water level
Method 2.
Partial coverage of the dam liner, to below the water
line with sand or clean soil to a minimum depth of 300
mm.
Soil cover needs to be placed carefully or should be
carried out by an experienced operator. Needless to
say, machinery shouldn’t be driven over the liner,
even when covered.
berm
Method 1. Completely covering the dam liner
Protecting Your Dam Liner from Animals
This can be achieved in one of two ways:
Partial Covering a Liner to Maximise Lifespan
300 mm soil
water level
1. A permanent and safer approach is to fully fence off
the dam and to provide watering troughs outside of
the fence.
2. Alternatively you can cover the liner with geotextile
and 300 mm of gravel, in the area likely to be
accessed by animals.
Please be mindful that damage to a dam liner is not
covered under warranty.
berm
Method 2. Partially covering the dam liner below the
water line.
Multiple Piece Installation - Onsite Welding
Where the size of your dam requires multiple piece
liners, Fabric Solutions Australia can supply both the
liner pieces and an onsite fabricator.
Fabric Solutions Australia only provide fully trained and
experienced installers/ fabricators that will weld the
sections together and assist with the liner installation.
Disclaimer: Fabric Solutions Australia Pty Ltd has taken all care in the preparation of
this guide but accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions. This publication
is intended as a guide only and not as a substitute for professional or tradesman’s
advice. No person should act in reliance upon it without appropriate advice and
knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements.
Free Call:
1800 039 996
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.fabricsolutions.com.au/dam-liners/
Innovative Solutions
Rev 4.03 page 3 of 3