Ready to get started? Talk to one of our pool specialists.
River Pools & Spas Blog
The most educational swimming pool blog in the country, providing fiberglass pool articles and videos, as well as information on inground concrete and liner pools.
Installation & Construction | Pool Manufacturing Process
The idea of building my own home (well, hiring someone to build it) is wild to me. That's some phenomenal cosmic power. You can include all your favorite things and leave out the details you hate. The only thing that would make building a new home even cooler? If you were putting in a pool with it. Talk about living the dream. So if you're building a new house, when should the pool be installed? The answer is... "It depends." (I know, I wish it were simpler too.) The ideal time: after power, before asphalt and landscaping. Of course, things aren't always so simple.
Share
Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories
There are a lot of brands and even more models in the pool equipment world. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you're a new pool owner. Fear not! Here at River Pools, we enjoy making the pool-owning life easy for you. Welcome to our comparison of Pentair vs. Jandy filters, Part 2!
Share
Don't blindly wonder if a fiberglass, concrete, or vinyl liner pool is right for you. Our educational ebook does a deep-dive comparison of the 3 types, all while noting the advantages and disadvantages of each.
One of my coworkers just got engaged. (Congrats again, girl!) I don't know how long it took her fiancé to pick out the ring, but the more I learn about ring shopping, the more complicated it sounds. You have to spend enough that it's lifelong quality, but not so much you put yourself in lifelong debt. You have to choose a high-quality band and stone(s). Just as important, you need a high-quality, trustworthy jeweler. They'll make or break the experience in the long run. You know what's bigger, more permanent, and much more expensive than an engagement ring? An inground pool. So how do you know if your pool builder is a good one?
Share
Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories
How many brands can there possibly be in the pool equipment industry? A lot, as it happens. Fortunately, you have us on your side. Pentair and Jandy are two big names you'll see when you're researching pumps and filters for your inground pool. It can be tough to see the differences in their products, especially if you're new to the pool scene. Worry not! Welcome to our guide comparing Pentair's and Jandy's similar cartridge pool filters.
Share
Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories
Story time! Once upon a time, in Warsaw, VA, I was researching the different types of pool pumps and filters. I started with cartridge filters, and they made sense. When the spec sheet said, "Effective filtration area," it meant it. The filter took care of however many square feet of surface area the pool had. It filtered that area. Got it. The D.E. and sand filter spec sheets ruined my day. When the "effective filtration area" was 6 square feet, the filter processed 57,000 gallons of water in 8 hours. Obviously it's not for the world's cleanest bathtub, so what gives? What is the filtration area supposed to mean? Not to worry, my friends. I enjoy research, and I'm here to help.
Share
Cost and Pricing | Finding A Pool Contractor | Patio and Coping | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool Design
Most people shopping for a pool think that they know just what they want. For example, 90% of the people who want a diving board think they need it. But after education on the pros and cons of a diving board, only 10% of those people will still get a diving board. You're spending a lot of money on this swimming pool investment. You expect that the person that you invite into your home will be an informed professional and have your best interest at heart. In reality the person who shows up will probably be a salesperson trying to earn a commission that will feed his family or lifestyle. That's what is in his/her best interest, not yours. All too often, the homeowner says, "I want a pool this size and a deck this big," and the salesperson quotes them on what they ask for. It's far easier to sell a pool when the homeowner knows what they want, so why rock the boat? That's the mentality of most salespeople today. The problem: in most cases, what the homeowner thinks they want, and what they really want, are two different things.
Share
Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories
The following is a guest post from Diane Pierce at Authentic Plaster & Tile.
Share
Fiberglass Pool Information | Swimming Pool FAQs
Fiberglass pools are becoming more and more popular...but they're still a relatively new addition to the pool scene, compared to vinyl liner and concrete pools. What do you actually know about them? If the answer is "not much," fret not. This is a judgment-free zone, and we've got you covered. We've collected the fiberglass pool FAQs, and succinct answers for all of them. Plus links if you're interested in more in-depth info. Let's dive in! (Get the pun?)
Share
Pool Closing/Winterization | Pool Maintenance
As summer draws to an end, we have to bid goodbye to our loyal friend, the pool. You can opt to close your pool yourself or hire a professional. They're both valid options. If you choose to DIY, though, be careful! Many pools across the country get damaged because they were improperly closed and winterized -- read our guide to proper winterizing here. River Pools specializes in fiberglass pools, and we educate on all three pool types through our blog articles and videos. We know pools. And we're here to help you take the best possible care of the backyard oasis you've worked so hard on.
Share
Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Manufacturing Process
"Gelcoat" is a funky word to describe the surface of a fiberglass pool. Personally, it makes me think of the expensive nail polish option in a salon. Plus, "gel" sounds like it'll be soft and squishy—not the ideal texture for a pool. So what gives? What is a gelcoat, really? Here at River Pools, we specialize in fiberglass pools, so we know them inside and out (literally). We want to share our knowledge so that you can be fully informed when you make that big pool decision for you and your family. Let's start at the beginning: the gelcoat surface.
Share
