Pond Cleaning in Newton Abbot
Looking for professional pond cleaning help in Newton Abbot? Hembury Contracting provides reliable garden services across Newton Abbot and surrounding areas.
Price Guide
£110-210
Typical Duration
2-4 hrs
Location
Newton Abbot
Professional pond cleaning for garden ponds. Sludge removal, plant thinning, filter maintenance, water quality improvement - your pond healthy and clear again.
### More Than Just Scooping Leaves
Pond cleaning done properly means removing built-up sludge, thinning overgrown plants, cleaning filters, and leaving the biological balance intact. Rush it or do it wrong and you can crash a pond's ecosystem. We take the time to do it right.
### What We Do
- **Sludge removal** - vacuum or bail out decomposed material - **Plant thinning** - cut back overgrown vegetation - **Algae control** - remove blanketweed and string algae - **Filter cleaning** - check and clean biological filters - **Water quality** - test and advise on balance - **Fish care** - safe handling and temporary housing
> 💡 **Pro tip:** Don't clean everything at once. Keep some old water and don't scrub every surface - you need to preserve beneficial bacteria. A sterile pond crashes; a properly cleaned one stays balanced.
### Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong | |--------------|---------------| | Fish safely housed during work | Fish stressed or injured | | Sludge removed, beneficial bacteria kept | Everything sterilized, ecosystem crashes | | Plants thinned, not removed entirely | All plants cleared or left overgrown | | Filter cleaned, not replaced unnecessarily | Filter destroyed or ignored |
Why Choose Us for Pond Cleaning in Newton Abbot?
Sludge and debris removal
Plant thinning included
Filter cleaning/check
Fish-safe methods
What to Expect
**Step 1: Assessment** Check pond size, fish load, sludge level, plant growth. Discuss what needs doing and plan the work. **Step 2: Cleaning** Transfer fish if needed, remove sludge and debris, thin plants, clean filter, check equipment. **Step 3: Refilling and Return** Top up or partially refill, treat water if necessary, return fish when safe. Advise on ongoing maintenance.
Our Newton Abbot Service Coverage
We cover Newton Abbot and a 30-mile radius from Exeter, meaning you get local service with the backing of an established business. Whether you're in the centre of Newton Abbot or in the surrounding villages, we're here to help.
Good to Know
**Combines Well With:** - Pond pump/filter replacement - New planting around pond edges - Water feature maintenance **Related Services:** - Garden clearance around pond - [Planting Service](/services/garden/planting-service) - bog plants and marginals **Best Time:** - **Spring (March-April):** Before growing season starts - **Autumn (October-November):** After leaves fall, before winter - **Avoid:** Hot summer months - high stress for fish **Frequency:** - **Full clean:** Annually for most ponds - **Light maintenance:** Remove leaves/debris throughout year - **Filter clean:** Every 4-6 weeks in growing season **Water Changes:** We typically replace 30-50% of water during cleaning, not everything. Preserving some old water helps maintain biological balance. **Fish Stress:** Minimize by working efficiently, keeping fish cool and oxygenated, and not returning them until conditions are suitable. **Green Water:** If your pond goes pea-green after cleaning, it's temporary. UV clarifiers help but good plant balance is the long-term solution. **Wildlife Ponds:** Need gentler approach - more about sludge removal and plant management, less about pristine clarity. We adjust methods accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pond Cleaning in Newton Abbot
How often should ponds be cleaned?
Full clean usually once a year in spring or autumn. Regular maintenance like removing leaves and thinning plants throughout the year keeps things manageable. Heavily stocked fish ponds might need more frequent attention.
What happens to the fish during cleaning?
We temporarily transfer them to a holding container with pond water. Keep them safe and stress-free while we work, then return them once the pond is clean and water is suitable. Some jobs can be done without removing fish entirely.
Do you clean the filter as well?
Yes, we check and clean filters as part of the service. Replace media if needed (quoted separately). A clean filter makes a huge difference to pond health between full cleans.
What if the pond is really neglected?
We've seen worse, trust us. Badly neglected ponds take longer and might need multiple visits to get right, but they're salvageable. We'll assess and quote realistically - sometimes a full renovation is needed.
Get a Free Quote in Newton Abbot
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your pond cleaning job in Newton Abbot.
01392 964094Request Online QuotePricing for Newton Abbot
* Same rates for all locations in our service area
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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