FORT BEND BRAZORIA TEXAS KOI PONDS INSTALLERS BUILDERS-DIGGING PONDS WATER FEATURES 

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Pond & Waterfall Design/Installation

Designer Properties and Associates will design a pond and waterfall feature customized for your property.

Divide themselves

Water features divide themselves into decorative projects or water gardens. The distinction is that a water garden contains life, while a decorative feature (including most waterfalls) does not.  This choice is your first major decision and needs to be made before you start considering how to build your Charlotte water feature.  Each type has its own characteristics that must be considered:

Decorative Features Water Gardens
Formal or informal in shape Typically freeform in shape
Suitable pool depth to cover pump Suitable depth not to freeze or overheat
May use an automatic water fill Sensitive to evaporation
Use any nozzle that works with pool size & shape Nozzles avoided in small ponds
May use bleach or non-foaming algaecide Limited chemicals (use plants!)
A pump intake screen may be sufficient Potentially elaborate mech./bio filters

                  

Example #1: Q: "Can I put that neat looking nozzle in my fish pond?" A: A fine droplet spray nozzle would be fine in a decorative fountain, but in a water garden it will: 1. Plug with fish waste; 2. Increase evaporation, leading to greater concentration of dissolved solids and potential nitrate toxicity; 3. Disrupt the growth and blooming of aquatic plants.

Example #2: Q: "Can I throw a few goldfish in the fountain for the kids?"  A: Well, this means:  1. You can't use bleach or algaecide anymore; 2. Your pump intake screen won't cut it as a filter; 3. Your fountain may be small, above grade or too shallow to let the fish winter or endure summer heat; 4. The site may suffer from storm runoff, inadequate sunlight for plants, or ease of doing things like cleaning and partial drain/fills.

Site Planning and Pool Material

After selecting the type of project, consider the site location, and construction materials. A pool under a tree may seem picturesque, but will fill with leaves during the fall, and if built out of flexible liner may get punctured by roots.  Here is our humble experience with different pool materials:

Materials

 PVC Liner Rubber Liner Concrete ABS Preform Poly Preform Fiberglass Preform

Cost

 (cheap) Good Fair Good Good Fair

Ease of Installation

 Fair Good Fair Fair Fair Very Good

Ease of Repair

 Poor Good Fair Poor Poor Good

Initial Appearance

 Fair Needs skill Needs skill Fair (sags) Fair (sags) Good

Fittings/ penetrations

 Poor Fair One Chance Fair Fair Excellent

Reliability (general)

 Fair Good Good Fair Good Excellent

Reliability (winter)

 Poor Excellent (cracks) (brittle) Very Good Very Good

Overall Results

 Poor Good Fair Fair Good Very Good

A raised edge

Your pool should have a raised edge to avoid storm runoff that can run into the pool. This is very important with water gardens where the fish can be killed by insecticides or other chemicals. Winterization should be planned for in advance of freezing conditions.

Your site will need a source of electricity for its pump. Submersible equipment must have Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (GFCI) protection, as well as have its other aspects of installation conform to Article 680 of the National Electric Code.

                  

WATERFALLS, WATER GARDENS AND PONDS

     Water features are often included in landscape designs because of the unique sights and sounds that they bring to both exterior and interior living spaces. Many people find a moment of peace as they listen to water splashing in a fountain and gurgling over rocks as it runs down to a waiting pond. The use of ponds, aquatic plants, fish and water features in landscapes is sometimes called water gardening.

     There is a wealth of information available about water gardens, ponds and waterfalls because aquatic gardens have been used in landscapes for thousands of years. From ancient Egypt to the neighbor next door, people have been enjoying the musical sounds of waterfalls and the slow but deliberate movement of fish in ponds since the beginning of civilization.

      If you want a pond built with a soothing waterfall and stream, beautiful plants, fish and Koi we can custom create this for less than you think. Our water gardens, ponds and other water features are custom designed to interact with our clients architectural settings. The beauty of stones and the sound of water flowing will create an atmosphere of healing for any environment.


 Waterfalls Great for relaxing

Please click small arrows to side of thumbnails for more photos

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Preformed Ponds


The Perfect Pond Starter Kits


Preformed pond "tubs" are the most popular style on the market today, mostly because of their reasonable price. With costs ranging from $50 to $100, most homeowners can afford the basic component needed to start a backyard pond project.

Preformed ponds are also simpler to install than using a pond liner for a custom pond. The only drawback to using a preformed pond tub is that you can't
 

However, with the right decoration, like rocks around the outside to hide the tub's edges, it can look just as natural as a custom pond. Another disadvantage is preformed ponds aren't generally over 100 gallons in size, so you have to winterize your fish, some aquatic plants cannot root properly and both are easy prey for predators.

Preformed ponds are usually made of fiberglass and come with a pump and a filter. Due to recent popularity, manufacturers are now making different shapes, sizes and configurations to enhance the look and creativity of your yard. The main advice is to shop around before you make your purchase. Some pond supply retailers charge a larger mark-up, especially if you live in smaller, inaccessible towns. Do your homework and look online first.

The key to installing preformed ponds is to dig a hole the same size and shape of the tub, so that it can be placed in the ground snugly. You should allow the top rim of the preformed tub to sit several inches above ground level when it is unfilled. When you fill it with water, it will sink into the soil and become level with the ground. To mark the area, use a garden hose or spray paint. It is advised to dig the hole immediately before installation because it could rain, raccoons could wreak havoc with the area or kids could fall into the hole.

These types of ponds are good as starter ponds and they are not wasted later if you decide to upgrade to a larger or liner-based pond. You can always use the preforms as a holder for fish when cleaning, use it as an indoor place to winterize your pond fish or use the frame as an addition to your new pond. The preformed ponds are great additions for multi-level, waterfall ponds as well.
 

When installing your pond liner, you need to make sure you have enough liner to cover the depth and enough to cover the sides, reaching up and over of the top of your pond. Here's how to determine how much liner you will need:



Pond Liners


Choosing a Pond Liner


Custom ponds require liners, just like swimming pools. They allow you to dig the shape of the pond any way you want it. The liner sits in the hole, holds the water in the pond and keeps it from leaking and losing water.

Pond liners are very flexible and are designed to conform to any hole, regardless of its shape. They are built to withstand serious punishment, remain flexible through extreme temperatures and are UV resistant. Most liners are made of polyethylene and come with a 20-year warranty which guarantees a solid and leak-proof pond.

•Measure the pond's width, length and depth and make sure all measurements are taken at the deepest, longest and widest parts of the pond.
•Length of Pond Depth X 2 2 extra feet = Total Length of Liner
•Width of Pond Depth X 2 2 extra feet = Total Width of Liner
Chances are the basic liner will not be wide or long enough if you have a very large pond, so you will need to attach two or more pieces together with adhesive silicon or another splice kit method. However, this method is not recommended. You may be able to get a larger liner from a roofing company. If you do this, remember to put the algaecide-side down on the earth and not where the water will go.

Pond liners vary in price depending on the size and weight. The smallest liners, about 8' x 10', will cost around $30, while the largest, usually 40' x 40', can cost up to $670. They are also available in rolls, ranging from 5.5' x 100' at $220, up to 50' x 100' at $2,000.

Pond Kits


All of the Components Needed to Start Your Pond


Pond kits are the easiest way to build a professional-looking pond in your backyard without having to cough up the extravagant price it would take to hire a garden contactor. To save the time and money it takes planning and shopping for all the components needed to install a pond in your yard, complete pond kits have become a popular choice for many homeowners. It's the perfect kit for beginner ponders.

Pond kits usually include a liner , underlayment, aqua falls, pump , silicone sealer and anything else that will be needed to properly build your pond. More expensive and complete pond kits include every imaginable piece of equipment you'll need to get started - pond skimmers, starter bacteria and dechlorinators, koi food and even a pond thermometer .

Pond kits make building a pond much easier than going out and choosing each component individually - especially since most pond kits also come with installation instructions!

Pond kits are available in different sizes (though it's difficult to find them for ponds larger than 8x11 feet in size). Some of the kits are for ponds less than 100 gallons which makes it hard for plants to root, makes fish prey to predators and it means you have to winterize your fish. Paying the difference for a slightly larger volume pond kit would be advantageous in the long run.

If you are new to the world of ponding, then the pond kits are a great way to start. Just remember, pond kits provide the basic equipment and instructions necessary to build and maintain a long-lasting garden pond. But they don't take specific problems into consideration that could arise in your backyard. Landscaping and decorating your garden pond is up to you - once the pond kit is assembled. For example, décor such as waterfalls and fountains can be combined with a pond kit for added backyard ambience.

Another thing to remember before purchasing a pond kit is the time involved in maintaining it and growing it. Some people think all you do is set up the pond and enjoy its beauty, however; there is more time involved than you may think. Do your homework.
 

Cement Ponds

So you're thinking of putting in a cement pond? We're actually talking about ponds for lily pads, fish, turtles and frogs rather than swimming pools. The 4 major types of ponds are cement, polymer sheet liner, rigid shell, and clay lined. They all have different strengths and weaknesses. The "best" type of pond for you may not be the best for someone else.

Here's some things to consider:


1. A properly constructed cement pond is not leak prone. Think about how many swimming pools are in use and leak free in your country and around the world. If cement swimming pools are in widespread use in your area - sometimes soil conditions make them impractical - then a cement pond is also realistic.
2. Cement ponds are the most puncture resistant type of pond. If you live in an area with extremely cold Winters, special care should be taken in the design and installation of the areas near and above the waterline to avoid "freeze/thaw" damage.
3. They usually cost more than any other type of pond if you hire someone else to do it. If you have some experience with concrete work (or are willing to learn) cement ponds can be very economical to install yourself. Portions of the pond can be made from cinder/cement blocks.
4. Once installed cement ponds are not as easy to modify as a plastic sheet liner pond so you should have a very good idea of what you want. If you are really smart, you'll plan your pond with future expansion in mind. Most people who get the "pond bug" end up wanting bigger ponds and more ponds!

5. fact the lime in cement is poisonous to fish, However neutralizers are available for this job and provide a far safer environment for livestock. Also in zones where the winter temperature drops sufficiently for the water to freeze then the pond should have a minimum depth of 600mm (2ft) (preferably 1000mm (40")) and 50mm (2") of cement will not be thick enough to prevent the ice from cracking it!

         Please click small arrows to side of thumbnails for more photos

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Custom ponds-Water features

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Custom ponds-Water features2

Custom ponds-Water features3

Custom ponds-Water features4

 

Designer Properties helps local contractors survive

By JIM LUFKIN — The Sentinel Posted: 09/16/2009 07:20:14 PM -

Local contractors are banding together to survive the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Their organization, Designer Properties, gives homeowners a way to find reliable local trades people for Home improvement projects…..

Designer Properties is your entry into our local contractor referral network. We are local builders, trades people as well as building and home improvement suppliers who have worked together for many years. Many of us know each other; we have worked together, referred work to each other, and called on each other for help with projects over the years.  We are local and want to build our community.

Most of us work by referral and only advertise here. You don’t build up a strong referral base for your business overnight.  It takes a solid track record over a long period of time to earn the trust of customers.  We all know our reputation depends upon the quality and cost of our work.

Our local members offer their community a full spectrum of services. Just click on any one of the categories listed in the columns, and you will find info and photos of projects. To contact a contractor/tradesmen to assist you in meeting your building needs fill out our contact form.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for please contact us via the Contact Us page.

Designer Properties is your local high-value referral network for all your construction and home improvement needs. LET’S KEEP IT LOCAL!

"Q. How do you offer so many service's ?  A. We are a company of Contractors-Tradesmen & Designers,"

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