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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.

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DIY Fiberglass Pools  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction

How NOT to Backfill and Install a Fiberglass Swimming Pool

Yesterday, I had to witness one of the components of being an inground pool installer that really, really bothers me—a recent pool owner had been ripped-off...and in a bad way.

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Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Pool Design Guides

Fiberglass Pools Gain More Market Share with Educated Consumers

Having been in this business for over 10 years now, it's absolutely unbelievable just how much the inground swimming pool market has changed during this time. This trend was made even more evident to me when I recently sat down with a customer in Baltimore, Maryland, who, by all intents and purposes, was a self-taught fiberglass pool expert.

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Comparing Fiberglass, Concrete, and Vinyl Liner Pools in the Modern Age Ebook.

Comparing Fiberglass, Concrete, and Vinyl Liner Pools in the Modern Age

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.

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DIY Fiberglass Pools  |  Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction  |  Patio and Coping  |  Pool Videos

How to Pour Concrete Coping around a Fiberglass Pool [Video]

One of the biggest factors in the success of a fiberglass pool project is the proper forming and pouring of the concrete patio. The absolute best way to achieve maximum structural integrity, as well as aesthetics, is to use cantilever forms. But as we've talked about many times in this blog, the reality is that many fiberglass pool builders have not yet fully grasped this construction technique.

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Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction

Fiberglass Pool Shoppers Alert: Disturbing Customer Experience and Photos

This is one of those blog articles that I really debated on writing. Why? Because it's one that shows the ‘ugly side' of the fiberglass pool industry. And as all our readers are very well aware, we have done everything we can at River Pools to educate the world, via this blog, on the GOOD of fiberglass pools. So as you read the following, I'd ask that you remember this key phrase, which applies to any pool, any industry, and any company: Do not let poor actions of the few influence your good feelings towards the many.

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DIY Fiberglass Pools  |  Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction  |  Pool Videos

Awesome Fiberglass Pool Installation Video!

Many people, especially when debating over whether to install a fiberglass pool themselves or have a professional installer do it for them, are frankly not quite sure of what a proper installation entails. As we have done with so many other videos regarding the swimming pool industry, this video (produced by Jason Hughes) takes all the essential steps of unloading, excavating, setting, plumbing, filling with water, and backfilling a fiberglass pool and rolls it into a concise yet extremely informative and entertaining 10-minute video.

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Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction

Hydrostatic Pressure and Dewatering Systems for Fiberglass Pools

We are frequently asked questions about the effects of ground water on fiberglass pools. The short answer is that it has no effect in most cases as long as the pool remains full of water. But you may be wondering, “What if the pool is not full of water?” My response is - Exactly!

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Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction  |  Pool Videos

Pool Plumbing: How to Install Skimmers, Returns, & Main Drain Fittings

Most fiberglass pool shells come from the manufacturer without skimmers, return fittings, main drain fittings, or any other thru-wall fitting installed on the pool. This outfitting must be done by the pool installer and although it may seem simple in principle, it is a critical component to the successful installation of the pool.

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Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction  |  Pool Design Guides  |  Retaining Walls, Fence, and Landscaping

7 Deadly Sins of Fiberglass Pool Installations!

My life in the pool industry began at age 15 as a humble laborer in a small family owned pool business. The term “green-horn” doesn’t even begin to describe my naiveté at the time. I realized I had a lot to learn when one day, on an above-ground pool installation, my boss sent me to find the “wall stretcher” behind the seat of the truck. I returned after thirty minutes of tearing the truck apart looking for the thing to find my two comrades rolling on the ground with laughter. It was then I realized the stupid tool didn’t even exist. Well, some things never change; I still have a lot to learn. But since my partners and I started River Pools and Spas in 2001, we have added over 1,000 inground fiberglass pool customers to our reference list. One thing’s for sure: we’ve seen plenty of the good, the bad, and the ugly of fiberglass pool installations.

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Cost and Pricing  |  DIY Fiberglass Pools  |  Finding A Pool Contractor

Do It Yourself Pools: A Case For and Against

Pool shoppers often ask me, "Can I put that pool in myself?" Answering this question can be a slippery slope, but the short answer is yes. But the real question is do you want to put the pool in yourself? There are several reasons that homeowners want to put in their own pools. For some it is the challenge and the reward with knowing that they have accomplished such a task. For others, it is the fact that they want to save money. And then there are those who are in the construction business or have friends that are in the construction business that can help with the process.

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Blog Feature

DIY Fiberglass Pools  |  Fiberglass Pool Information  |  Finding A Pool Contractor  |  Installation & Construction  |  Pool Videos

How to Unload and Set a Fiberglass Pool [Cool Video!]

One of the most exciting and fascinating parts of every fiberglass pool installation is the moment the pool shows up on the truck and is carried to the backyard. Crowds assemble, the cameras start flashing, and the kids all run to grab their bathing suits.

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