🚫 Why Can't I Use Old Carpet Remnants?
While using old carpet may seem like a cost-saving measure, it poses several significant risks that can compromise the health and aesthetics of your pond:
⚠️ Toxic Decomposition: Most carpet materials, especially the backing, padding, and adhesives, are made from synthetic materials that can emit foul odors and harmful gases as they decompose underwater.
💨 Bad Smells & Gases: As you noted, the decomposition process releases gases that can be trapped or bubble up, creating a nuisance and potentially impacting water quality.
❌ Inconsistent Protection: Carpet thickness and material vary wildly. They often contain weak spots or large gaps that don't offer the consistent, reliable puncture protection of a dedicated pond underlayment.
✅ The Solution: Professional pond underlayment is specifically designed to be inert, non-toxic, and decay-resistant when submerged, offering superior, hassle-free protection that is easy to install.
