Check out one of our videos showing a running Pentair Intelliflow Pump with an overview by Pentair. Then you can check us out at FrankBowman.com

Swimming Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec

Is the existing surface of your swimming pool rough, stained, chipping or just plain ugly? Then now is the time to consider renovating your pool. The swimming season is quickly approaching and now is the time to schedule your pool renovation to ensure your pool will be open for the beginning of the season.

Frank Bowman Designs resurfaces both residential and commercial swimming pools using many different brands of "Plaster or Marcite." Plaster and Marcite are different terms for the same thing. It is the material that coats the concrete shell of the pool and what you walk on when you are in a concrete swimming pool. Today we are going to discuss a product called Pebble Tec which is our most used and in our opinion "hands down" the best product to install in your swimming pool when it comes to longevity, appearance and maintenance. Pebble Tec is available in 18 attractive colors, our original Pebble Tec pool interior is the perfect choice for individuals desiring a more natural look for their pools, spas or water features.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PEBBLE TEC®

What is Pebble Tec?
Pebble Tec is a patented interior surface for swimming pools utilizing finely screened natural river rock worn smooth by years of nature's tumbling. The rock is geologically tested for hardness, angularity, content, and size.

What is the history of Pebble Tec?
Pebble Tec was developed in Australia more than two decades ago. Over 50,000 pools have been installed in Australia and the United States. This means you are considering a time proven, quality product that has gained strong customer acceptance worldwide.

How are the pebbles placed on the surface?
Predetermined ratios of Pebble Tec stone and cement are combined with water and additives, then pneumatically applied with a standard pool plaster pump to a thickness of approximately 1/2". Once the Pebble Tec is applied, it is hand troweled utilizing a special process by trained applicators. At a precise time the material is "exposed" by a method which uncovers the top layer of pebbles. When the finish is thoroughly hardened, the pool is then cleaned with a solution to enhance the brightness and luster of the natural stone.

Is the surface rough?
The surface can be described as "orange peel" smooth with indentions. The stones used in Pebble Tec are finely screened and naturally tumbled resulting in a bumpy non-abrasive surface. The pebble surface is also comfortable for walking in the shallow end.

What if algae grows on the Pebble Tec finish?
Algae can be a problem on any pool surface if pool maintenance has been lacking. However, algae does not bond as readily to Pebble Tec as it does to conventional pool plaster due to the tumbled stone surface. Pebble Tec can also be cleaned more easily than plaster.

Does the Pebble Tec pool vary in color?
A pool done in this finish is intended to duplicate the natural appearance of a lake or stream bed and therefore color variation is a desired result. Water has a tendency to reflect hues and tones depending on sunlight intensity and angle that can vary depending on the time of day.

Will the pebbles fall off?
It is normal to experience a small loss of pebbles for a short period of time after Pebble Tec installation. You may find a handful in your strainer basket after you vacuum for the first few weeks but don't worry...your pool is covered with in excess of 30 million pebbles.

What is the warranty on Pebble Tec?
Frank Bowman Designs offers a written 15 year unconditional warranty on all Pebble Tec Installations. That's a piece of mind investment. Please consult with your installer as to their warranty terms and conditions.

Please feel free to contact Frank Bowman Designs if you have any additional questions about swimming pool resurfacing.

Submitted By: Frank Bowman

Frank Bowman Designs serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, Lake Gaston, Southern Virginia and the surrounding areas. We specialize in the design & installation of Custom Concrete Swimming Pool Installations and Renovations including Tile and Coping, Natural Stone and Paver Decking, Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec. Visit Frank Bowman Designs at www.FrankBowman.com or Contact us at Frank@FrankBomwan.com

Variable Speed Pumps Save Energy and Money

You may not know that that a standard pool pump uses more electricity than any other appliance in the home, except for an air-conditioner. You also may not know that most pumps are too big and use more energy than you need to keep the water sparkling clean.The culprit: a single-speed pump. A small pump is probably fine if all you want to do is circulate the water, but it might not have enough speed to run your pool cleaner, waterfall or other electrical extras that need a blast of energy.If that's the case, your pool service probably installed a pump large enough to handle the extras. But with only one speed, it's running full-blast even when your pool cleaner and waterfall aren't operating.That huge waste of energy is costing you about 80 percent more in electric bills.Don't let the high cost of running your pool outpace its value as your family's go-to place for fun, relaxation and keeping cool. Making your pool more energy-efficient will save hundreds of dollars a year.

Frank Bowman, owner of Frank Bowman Designs in Raleigh, North Carolina, says his customers who have switched report saving $300 or more a year on their electric bills.A variable-speed pump costs more than twice a single-speed model, but you'll recoup the cost in lower electric bills within two years, he estimates. Plus, he says, the pumps are quieter and last longer than older pumps.As an alternative, two-speed pumps cost less than variable-speed models. And although they're not as efficient as variable-speed pumps, they use far less energy than the single-speed unit.

Here are a few tips:

• Replace your single-speed pump with a variable-speed unit. High-performance models from such manufacturers as Pentair Water Pool and Spa let you run them on low most of the time. You can crank them up bit by bit when you need to run accessories.The manufacturers claim the pumps can cut energy use by up to 90 percent compared with single-speed pumps.

• Run your pool pump less often. Most manufacturers recommend running it between eight and 10 hours a day in the summer and about half that in the winter.

• Put a timer on the pump so it automatically shuts off, and set it to run only when you're paying off-peak rates.

• Switch to LED lighting, which uses up to 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent underwater lights, and lasts for years.

• Keep your chemicals in balance. If you don't, your filter can run non-stop and the water will never sparkle.

• Clean trap baskets, filters, and pool walls and floor regularly. Clogging can prevent the water from flowing freely. The harder the pump has to work, the more you'll pay to run it.

Submitted By: Frank Bowman Designs serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston and the Triangle . We are a complete outdoor contractor installing outdoor kitchens & fireplaces, natural stone & paver patios, landscaping, swimming pools & spas, pool houses, cabanas and much more...Our speciality is unique and unusual swimming pools & spas. Visit Frank Bowman Designs atwww.FrankBowman.com or Contact us at Frank@FrankBowman.com or (919) 291-8354.

Custom Infinity Edge Swimming Pools

Many people think they can only have an infinity edge swimming pool if they live on the side of a mountain or have an ocean front view...not the case at all. Sure these are great places that the infinity edge works well but that is just the beginning. Many times we incorporate the infinity edge design on completely level or uphill slope conditions. Infinity edge designs are truly dynamic for the fact that they draw you eye toward and over the edge swimming pool. For this reason we may design a level lot infinity pool and place a piece of art, sculpture or specimen tree at the end of the edge. Allowing the reflection of this primary focal point to create a secondary focal point on the surface of the water. Or maybe, the infinity edge falls back toward the house or sitting area. This will give you a great waterfall effect as well as the infinity illusion while swimming in the pool. Other designs feature two, three or all four sided infinity edge pools...your imagination is the limit when it comes to design possibilities so don't think a infinity edge design won't work on your project. Leave that decision up to the design professional and you will be surprised at what will fit within the architecture of your site.

Frank Bowman is the President of Frank Bowman Designs, Inc. a Raleigh, North Carolina based Swimming pool and outdoor living Design / Build Company. They specialize in upscale and unusual projects including infinity edge pools, perimeter overflow, glass tile, boulder pools, saltwater , outdoor kitchens & fireplaces, natural stone & paver patios, landscaping, pool houses, cabanas and have mastered the art of building green with extremely low operating costs. Please visit us at www.FrankBowman.com or Frank@FrankBowman.com for more information.