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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.
Today's article won't be focusing on fiberglass pools, but on an optional feature to aid with pool maintenance and safety. Kristina Gale, owner of River Pools® of Salt Lake, will be sharing pros and cons of having an automatic cover for your pool, to hopefully help if you're on the fence about getting one yourself. When I was shopping for a pool for my family, a reliable automatic pool cover was an absolute must. Now that I sell them here in Utah, I hear feedback from many customers. Based on that feedback and my experience, I want to give you a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of owning an automatic pool cover so that you can decide for yourself whether it is the right choice for you. What Is An Automatic Pool Cover?
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Concrete Pool Information | DIY Fiberglass Pools | Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Swimming Pool FAQs | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
More than likely, the search that landed you here is one that we’ve been seeing more and more of these days. Let us take a guess - did it look anything like “inground pools for sale” or “inground pools for sale near me”?
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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.
Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool FAQs | Tanning Ledges
“Okay, okay, FINE. We’ll get a pool!”
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Inground Pool Information | Installation & Construction
If you found your way onto our website, you most likely have been dreaming of having an in-ground pool in your backyard. And if you’ve found this blog, you’re likely dreaming of a pool all your own in your Charlotte backyard. Imagine a place for your family and friends to gather, connect and make memories. And, did we mention it may help to increase the value of your home?
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
Ah, ‘tis the season. We know that’s something you traditionally hear around wintertime, but we’re talking about a different season altogether: swim season!
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Installation & Construction | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
You may be stumbling onto this article because it’s hot where you live and you want a pool. Or, maybe it’s colder outside and your mind is stuck on a fancy hot tub. Either way, you’ve made it here, and welcome! We’d love to go over some backyard pool and hot tub ideas, whether you’re in the market for one or both.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs | Tanning Ledges
Swimming pools are fun, right? If you’re here, we’d be inclined to think you agree. Not only is it fun to take a dip in one, but the process leading up to that first swim should be fun, too (or at least we think so)!
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Concrete Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Information | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
You look out into your yard to see that open, green space and it just feels like something’s…missing. You’ve been dreaming about having more quality time with your family at home - a private space for you and the ones you love to unwind. After thinking and thinking and some more thinking, you realize having your own pool just might be exactly what you’re looking for. We’ve been there too, friends - the appeal of your own private swimming spot is hard to match with anything else. Bringing families together is one of the things that makes us most passionate about the world of inground pools. You know you want it, so now the question is what size/shape/style/color do you want? Deciding on a size is often the first step since your backyard may only be able to accommodate a pool so large. What is a good size swimming pool, anyway? This is a pretty broad question with a lot of good answers, so we’d like to take a shot at helping you reach the answer that’s right for you. We’ll primarily focus on rectangle inground pool sizes since the rectangle shape is most popular. Today, we’re going to discuss what are the different sizes of pools available, what you might see most often, how a pool’s size may (or may not) affect the cost of your pool, and even what other shapes are out there in case a rectangle isn’t suiting your fancy. We also want to let you know up front - inground fiberglass pools are our wheelhouse, but they may not be a best fit for everyone. We’re going to give you some information to hopefully help you make an informed decision on not only pool size and shape, but the pool type, as well.
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Pool Maintenance | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
If you ask someone who isn’t from Indiana what they think of when you mention the state, you may hear things like “corn” or “open fields” or, more notably, maybe “the Indy 500”. Contrary to the…slightly disappointing answers you might get (minus the 500 of course), Indiana is a place full of rich history, fun things to do and weather that can sometimes leave you guessing about what tomorrow will bring (surprises are fun, right?)
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories
We think it’s fair to say that Charlotte is a happening place. With plenty of tourist attractions, the home of many corporate headquarters, and the largest population in North Carolina, there’s a lot that Charlotte has to offer. Summers here get hot and sticky, so what better way to deal than to take a dip in Lake Wylie? We’ll do you one better: you could take a dip into your own backyard inground pool!
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories | Pool Design Guides
When you think about relaxing at home, what comes to mind? Is it sinking into a bubbling spa, or do you see yourself chilling poolside or on a nice tanning ledge? Maybe you see yourself having it all. Whatever your vision may be, there’s options out there for you to make it a reality.
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Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design
Let us guess…you’re sitting there right now, knowing you want an inground pool, but alas…you can’t seem to decide on the right shape and design for you and your backyard? We’re envisioning this internal struggle looking something like this:
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Installation & Construction | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
You’re thinking about buying a pool, so what’s the first concern you might have about this decision? Maybe “How much is it going to cost me?”
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It all starts with a search.
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
When you live in Florida, you have it all - sea, sunshine and something fun around every corner. Not only is it the warmest US state, but it’s also the only one with a tropical climate (excluding Hawaii). No wonder it’s a hotspot for tourists worldwide.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories
How much do fiberglass pools cost?
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
How much do inground pools cost? This is the first question asked by homeowners and pool shoppers 99% of the time. And the folks in Savannah are no exception.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool FAQs
Let’s say you’re in the market for a new home, and you’ve been doing your research and visiting open houses to narrow down your choices. Like millions of other prospective home buyers, you might discover something unexpected in the backyard of one (or more) properties you examine: an old swimming pool, fallen into disrepair.
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Concrete Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Information | Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Looking for a high-quality inground pool in the Boise, Idaho area? It can be tough to know which pool builder or installer to hire, especially in a midsized to smaller metropolitan area like Boise, Idaho's largest (and only major) city.
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Boise is where everything happens in Idaho. It's the state capitol, by far the largest population center in Idaho... and it's got quite a few interesting things to do (or eat) downtown, too.
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Concrete Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Information | Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Looking for a high-quality inground pool in the Des Moines, Iowa area? It can be tough to know which pool builder or installer to hire, especially in a midsized to smaller metropolitan area like Des Moines, which is Iowa's largest (and only major) city.
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Des Moines is where things happen in Iowa. It's Iowa's largest city, the seat of its state government... and it's at the heart of a lot of critical American business interests, too.
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Salt systems are all the rage in the swimming pool world, and it's clear to see why: The water is softer Salt pools are often easier to maintain They don't irritate skin and eyes like traditional chlorine And the list goes on. But before you run out and switch to a salt system or set up your new pool as a saltwater pool, we want to make you aware of a few points about saltwater pool maintenance.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Closing/Winterization | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories
There’s a time of year in (nearly) every pool owner’s life when they’ll face an unavoidable decision: is it time to close my pool and winterize it for the season?
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool FAQs
A swimming pool is a major investment, not only in financial terms, but also in regards to the amount of time you’ll spend keeping it clean and enjoyable during swim season.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction
River Pools started in Central Virginia nearly 20 years ago, with a simple mission: to provide homeowners with the highest-quality pool-buying and pool-owning experience.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
Everyone knows you need at least three things for a great party: good people, good refreshments, and good tunes.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool FAQs
Owning a pool often comes with more responsibilities than new owners often expect when they start their pool journeys. Nearly everyone knows it takes time, purposeful effort, and some non-trivial expenses to keep a pool clean. The pool’s pump and filter system is the cornerstone of its cleanliness -- but did you know you’re occasionally supposed to clean out your pump and filter system, too?
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Options and Accessories | Pool lighting | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
What’s better than a soothing dip in your own backyard pool on a hot summer day?
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Closing/Winterization | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool FAQs
Most pool owners accept “pool season” -- the warm, comfortable time of year when the sun’s shining, temperatures are high, and your pool is at its most appealing.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably one of two types of folks: you’re a meticulous planner looking to extend your swim season as painlessly as possible… or you’re starting to feel temperatures dropping, and you need to start warming your pool back up right now.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
Summer’s in full swing, With life gradually returning to normal, you’re probably feeling overdue for a fun get-together… and if you’ve got a pool, there might be no better place to host a sweet party than your own backyard.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Pool landscaping | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
Frogs are everywhere… including, unfortunately, many swimming pools.
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Installation & Construction | Pool Maintenance
Thinking about getting a new swimming pool for your backyard? You probably know about the three types of inground pools: concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl liners.
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Installation & Construction | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool FAQs
What can you do if you really want a swimming pool, but you don’t have a lot of yard space? In years past, you basically had two options.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction
Joining the elite class of Pool and Spa News’ (PSN) Top 50 Builders marks any builder as both a major success and as a name to watch in the pool-building industry.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
If you’ve ever been to Vegas, you know just how compelling a big, beautiful water fountain can be. The shapes, the lighting, synchronization with music... they’re visual shows, staged with sprayed water, and they can really capture folks’ attention.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
Salt water pools are as popular as we’ve ever seen. It’s not hard to see why.
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Options and Accessories | Patio and Coping | Pool Design Guides | Pool landscaping | Swimming Pool Accessories
What could be better than a relaxing afternoon in your beautiful backyard pool?
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Concrete Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Information | Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Looking for a high-quality inground pool in southern Utah? It’s often hard to know which pool builder or installer to hire, especially when you live in a smaller metropolitan area like St. George, which is only about 15% as large as the Salt Lake City metro area.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool FAQs
We’re in unprecedented times, and that means answering unprecedented questions. One question I’d honestly not expected to hear is, “is it okay to use bleach to clean my pool?” But since the start of the year, I’ve seen folks asking about bleach in pool owner groups on Facebook, on our social media channels, on blogs and YouTube comments, in emails, and even in a few panicked phone calls here and there.
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Southern Utah can be a great place to get away from it all… but St. George, the largest city in Southern Utah, can also be a great place to build a life.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Installation & Construction
Pool buyers and owners have had a challenging year. If you didn’t have a pool when the COVID-19 lockdowns started, you probably ran into higher prices, longer waits, and less availability overall -- whether that availability meant pool-building components like pipes and fittings, or accessories like pumps, filters… or chlorine tablets.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories
If you’ve got a pool (or will have one soon), you know how important it is to keep the water clean. A sparkling backyard pool can quickly turn into a brackish eyesore if you’re not diligent with regular maintenance.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
Would you rather walk a mile or swim a mile?
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
People get swimming pools for many reasons… but just about everyone who gets a pool installed in their backyard hopes to swim fairly often.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Installation & Construction
The supply chain affects every business and consumer on the planet… and over the past year or so, we’ve all seen what happens when it breaks down.
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Cost and Pricing | Installation & Construction | Retaining Walls, Fence, and Landscaping | Swimming Pool FAQs
Humans are hard-wired for waterfalls. A visit to natural falls is often the highlight of any trip. Artificial waterfalls can make the difference between a ho-hum experience and something unforgettable, whether you encounter in a restaurant, a front yard, or next to a well-built backyard pool.
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Cost and Pricing | Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction | Retaining Walls, Fence, and Landscaping | Swimming Pool FAQs
Thinking about adding some splash to your backyard with a new pool?
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Is your concrete pool in need of repair or renovation? Are you tired of dealing with a rough plaster surface or tiles that fall off the pool walls? You may have heard that you can apply fiberglass to a concrete pool, but how does it work, and how does it compare to a traditional fiberglass pool?
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Installation & Construction | Pool Design Guides
Are you thinking about buying an inground swimming pool but don't like how long they take to install? We're fiberglass pool manufacturers and inground pool experts, and we know that swimming pools can take months to build. Concrete pools can even take up to half a year to complete. But what if you could get an inground pool quicker without much of the noise or mess?
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Do you want to add an inground pool to your home in Charlotte? As you research your swimming pool options, you might have questions like: How much does an inground pool cost in Charlotte? Which pool type is best for my home? How much does a pool cost to maintain? As fiberglass pool manufacturers and educators on all things swimming pools, we help hundreds of customers choose the best pools for their families every year based on factors like cost, aesthetics, and long-term maintenance.
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Would you like smoother, silkier pool water? Want to use fewer pool chemicals? How about stopping algae in its tracks? Enter swimming pool ionizers.
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Cost and Pricing | Pool Maintenance
Are you envious of your neighbors who have saltwater pools but not sure how to switch from chlorine to a salt system?
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
Are you hoping to add an inground pool to your Kansas City home? Not sure how much it might cost or which pool type will work best for your budget? As fiberglass pool manufacturers and educators of all things inground pools, we have helped thousands of pool shoppers from all over the country choose their dream swimming pools based on factors like cost, maintenance, and aesthetics. In this article, we'll break down the cost of inground pools in Kansas City and explain what you need to know about each pool type before you get one.
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Installation & Construction | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
Are you hoping to install a vinyl pool in your backyard this year? As fiberglass pool manufacturers, we understand the joy that getting a pool can bring to the whole family, and we are excited that you are taking your next steps in your inground pool journey. But what are some of the vinyl pool problems that you need to consider before you buy your swimming pool? What do vinyl pool owners wish they were aware of ahead of time? In this article, we'll review ten things that people wish they knew before they bought a vinyl pool to help you decide if it's the right choice for your family. Let's dive in.
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing
Are you thinking about taking on a pool remodeling project for your concrete swimming pool? Maybe you've just moved into a home that has a concrete pool in the backyard, or you might have an old concrete pool that's become more of an eyesore than a fun addition to your home. If this sounds like you, you may be asking yourself:
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Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool FAQs
Thinking about buying a home with a swimming pool? Purchasing a home with an inground pool in the backyard is one of the fastest and easiest ways to get a pool this year. But what are some of the red flags that you need to look out for when buying a home with a pool? What are the drawbacks that you need to research before signing on the dotted line? As fiberglass pool manufacturers and seasoned pool maintenance and installation professionals, we'll walk you through the key points that you need to think about before purchasing a home that already has a pool installed. By the end of this article, you should have a better idea of whether buying a home with a pool is a good investment for you. Let's jump in.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers
A fiberglass pool and spa combo is a fiberglass pool that comes with the hot tub or spa already built into the pool shell.
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Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
Are you shopping for an inground swimming pool but not sure which type is right for you?
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing
A tile pool is the most luxurious type of concrete pool available, but it does come at a cost. We're talking tens of thousands of dollars on average for swimming pool tile alone. There are three main types of pool tile that you can use: ceramic, stone, and glass. Ceramic is the classic choice, and it tends to be the most affordable. Stone is good for a natural or lagoon pool aesthetic, while glass is typically the most high-end option.
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Cost and Pricing | Installation & Construction | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design
Infinity pools are among the most modern and sought after pool designs today. If you have a gorgeous landscape or waterfront view that you want to show off, an infinity pool can make having that view ten times better. But what is an infinity pool, how does it work, and does it cost more to build?
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Swimming Pool Design
Shipping container pools are growing in popularity thanks to their quick installation and unique look, but how does a shipping container pool compare to a traditional inground pool? Because we specialize in fiberglass swimming pools, we decided to make an in-depth comparison of fiberglass pools vs. shipping container pools to highlight the key differences between them. We hope that by the end of this article, you'll understand the main factors that separate container pools and traditional inground pools so that you can choose the best swimming pool for your home.
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Concrete Pool Information | Installation & Construction
Do you have plans to build a concrete pool? First of all, we want to congratulate you on taking your first steps towards getting a new swimming pool for your home! Nothing compares to the joy and fun that a pool can bring to the whole family, and that's why we continue our work of manufacturing fiberglass pools year after year. But before you build a concrete pool, we encourage you to do your research so that you can know exactly what you're getting.
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Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Pool Maintenance
Did you know that people in some northern states ice skate on their inground pools during the winter? Yep, it gets that cold. If you live in an area where people skate on their pools as much as they swim in them, you might have questions like: What is the best type of pool for cold climates? What problems can occur when a pool freezes? Are fiberglass pools ok in cold weather? What about concrete and vinyl pools?
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing
Pebble pools (also known as aggregate pools) are extremely popular among concrete pool owners thanks to their diverse range of colors and materials. If you are new to the different pool surfaces, a pebble pool is a concrete pool with a stone, quartz, or glass pebble finish. The pebbles can be exposed (a bit bumpy but looks nice) or ground down for a smoother surface, as shown below.
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Are you in the stages of planning a budget pool project? Did you know that there are many cheap pool accessories that you can add to make the pool a little bit more enjoyable and easy to maintain? If you're trying to keep your costs low, we get it. Here at River Pools, we manufacture fiberglass pools and speak with inground pool shoppers every day. Many of the thrifty pool buyers who reach out to us make it clear that they want just the pool, plumbing, and patio without any bells and whistles. Maybe you're also looking for the basics and nothing more. But if you haven't explored all of your options when it comes to pool accessories because you think it will cost too much, we encourage you to at least research your options before you build. To make that simple for you, we rounded up a list of the top affordable pool accessories to consider adding to your budget inground pool project (and we promise they won't break the bank). Let's jump in!
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Are you hoping to be swimming in your own inground pool next summer? Depending on where you live in the country, that might not be a possibility. At River Pools, we manufacture fiberglass pools and work with a wide range of inground pool professionals who have all said the same thing: inground pool construction projects are already booked through the entire 2022 build season, and even into 2023 in many areas.
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Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design
Do you ever wish that you had a private beach in your backyard without all the critters living in it or the forces of nature to contend with? We know that’s only a fantasy, but you can get close. Enter the beach entry swimming pool. It doesn’t really compare to a real beach, but it might be as close as it gets. Beach entry pools have been around for several decades in the swimming pool world, but what exactly is a beach entry pool and how does it change your options?
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When you have a swimming pool on your property, there are few things more important than safety. The value of pool safety increases if you have children or pets, or if you live in a neighborhood where children reside. As a new pool owner, that means you'll have to consider investing in some pool safety equipment to ensure the continued security of your pool area.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Pool Design Guides
Myth: Fiberglass pools are too small to be diving pools. Reality: As fiberglass pool manufacturers, we proudly partake in debunking this myth with the existence of our T Series pool.
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If you're on the fence about when to install your inground pool, why not consider doing a fall pool installation? The fall is the perfect time of year to install your inground pool for several reasons. First, weather and ground conditions are generally favorable (not too hot or too cold), and second, you'll have plenty of time to get your pool in the ground before the next swim season comes around. As a bonus, you won't have to wait until spring to do your landscaping, and you can get your yard back in order relatively quickly.
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If you've been researching inground pools for a while, you probably know that owning a swimming pool comes with its fair share of expenses. For those of you who are new to the pool scene, you can expect to pay for pool chemicals (to sanitize the pool and maintain balanced water chemistry), testing kits, maintenance service, and utilities for running the filter, pump, and heating or cooling. Water is another regular expense as well as refinishing the pool or replacing the vinyl liner. (Read more about all of that here.)
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Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Options and Accessories | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
A dark bottom pool is a swimming pool that has a dark surface, like deep blue, gray, or black. These pool designs have been around for decades, but they have only recently become a widespread trend. In fact, we've seen a considerable increase in dark bottom pool color requests from our customers over the last several years (we manufacture fiberglass pools and spas). If you're on the fence about your pool color or are strongly considering a dark bottom pool, keep reading.
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Having a pool in your backyard can be a luxurious experience on its own. Add a spa to that and you've got an outdoor resort. If you're thinking about a fiberglass pool with a spa for your home, you're in luck. We at River Pools have been manufacturing and installing fiberglass pools and spas for years, and our experts are happy to break down your FAQs here to help you decide if a fiberglass pool with a built-in spa is right for you.
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Did you know that the ancient Greeks used sand filters to clean their bathhouse pools? That's how old the sand filter technology is, but don't let that be a drawback. Some of the greatest inventions thought up centuries ago continue to be used to this day. If you're a new pool owner or if you're looking to switch up your filtration system, you may have questions like: "What is a sand filter? How does a sand filter work? Is a sand filter better than a cartridge system? How much does a sand filter cost?" If you've got one or more of these questions on your mind, we've got your back.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Closing/Winterization
Now that summer has ended and it’s time to start thinking about shutting down your pool, you might be shopping for the perfect swimming pool cover to bring this swim season to a close. We say might because it’s not mandatory in every state or region, but putting regulations aside, covering your pool during the off-season can make your pool maintenance a lot easier. If you have a ton of overhead trees, for example, or see a lot of leaves and debris around your home in the fall, keeping them out of the pool will save you hours of your time in maintenance chores.
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Have you ever been blasted by a cold breeze just as you were climbing out of the swimming pool? Did you think about jumping back in just to get warm again? If you've been swimming on a cool and breezy day, we're guessing that you know what we're talking about. While shivering in a beach towel is a small price to pay for swimming in less than ideal weather, we want you to know that it doesn't have to be this way. In fact, getting out of the pool can be just as pleasant as getting in it. Enter the poolside fire pit.
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As we take our last dips in the pool and start deflating our giant pizza slices and rainbow unicorn floats, we are reminded that all good things must come to an end. At least until next summer. Within a few weeks, it will be time to close up your sparkling oasis and say goodbye for the winter. And if you don’t want your pool to become a swampy mess until then, you might want to consider adding a pool cover.
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Options and Accessories | Patio and Coping | Pool landscaping
Are you one of those people who kills your plants every time you try to start a garden? Do you put off home improvement projects until your house is literally falling apart? Or maybe you just like to make your life as simple as possible so that you have time for things that are really important to you. Whatever the case, if you’re looking for an outdoor living space that’s super low maintenance (and not just a slab of concrete with a picnic table), keep reading!
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When it comes to sanitizing your pool, most people choose between traditional chlorine and a salt system.
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The archaeologists at River Pools are back at it again! Only this time, they dug up something a little spookier than an undisclosed utility line.
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Are you browsing inground pool options for your home in Louisville? How about a fiberglass swimming pool? The three main inground pool types are concrete, vinyl liner, and fiberglass, with fiberglass being the lesser well-known of the three.
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Do you ever wish that you had a natural pond or swimming hole in your backyard? What if you could escape to a tropical tiki paradise every day after work? If this sounds like your dream, a lagoon pool may be the swimming pool style that you're looking for. At River Pools, we install our fiberglass pools in a wide variety of styles from ultra-modern to Mediterranean to tropical lagoon, and we know what goes into each of the different inground pool designs. In this article, we'll explain what a lagoon pool is, how much it may cost to create this pool style, and the pros and cons of having one.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Installation & Construction
Do you like the idea of having a fiberglass pool but aren’t sure if you can actually get one? With us at River Pools being the only fiberglass pool manufacturer with installation experience (more than 1,500 fiberglass installs to date), we’re kind of experts in our field. And over the years we’ve heard every installation question under the sun, including:
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The Louisville area has more than its fair share of awesome water parks to satisfy your longings for some pool fun. But what if you just want to relax and play in your own pool at home? You know, without the crowds. If you're shopping for inground pools in Louisville, KY, you've probably discovered that swimming pool shopping is not always easy. Between all of the different pool types, manufacturers, builders, prices, and accessories, you'll have hundreds of decisions to make. It's no wonder we get millions of website visitors looking for inground pool information every year.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance
Congratulations! We heard you’re getting a new inground pool. Once your pool builder is done with the construction of your beautiful swimming pool, it will be your job to keep it in good shape so that you can enjoy it for years to come. If you’re new to inground pool ownership, we’d personally like to welcome you to the club. You’ll quickly find that owning a pool can be great for the health and happiness of you and your family. As fiberglass pool manufacturers and installers, we’ve helped hundreds of new pool owners get set up and ready to go with their new inground pools. So, to help you get a great start to your life as a member of the pool owner’s club, we broke down which pool supplies you’ll need by the time your swimming pool is in the ground and ready to use. In the following sections, you’ll learn what you need to keep handy around your pool, why you need it, and how much it might cost. We also threw in a few extras for you to consider if you want to upgrade your experience. Let’s dive in.
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Have you ever jumped into a pool expecting it to be cool and refreshing only to discover that the water is hot? That's exactly when you need a pool chiller. Many people write-off pool chillers, thinking that their pool water won't get hot enough for one. While this can be the case in certain climates, it certainly is not the rule. As fiberglass pool manufacturers who offer installation services, we are constantly asked how to cool down pool water. Although there are a few other things that you can do (like adding shade or running your filter at night), our best answer is always to invest in a good pool chiller.
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Do you live in Wisconsin and want to build an inground pool? Getting a swimming pool can be an exciting time, but even though you might be in a hurry to see your pool in the ground, it's important that you shop around for the best pool builder for your project. How will you know if your pool builder is right for you? First, you'll want to ensure that your pool builder has a good track record (see our pool builder vetting checklist here), and you'll need to do your research to find out what they specialize in.
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Cost and Pricing | Swimming Pool Accessories
Fun fact: Some states virtually demand that inground pool owners have a pool cover. Others are less picky. In certain situations, pool shoppers are even required to cough up the cash for an automatic pool cover during the pool's construction (we're experienced fiberglass pool manufacturers and contractors, and we see this from time to time). Needing a pool cover is not necessarily a bad thing, though.
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Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Is your backyard super tiny? Is it more of a courtyard than a backyard? If you are dreaming of getting an inground pool but think your backyard is too small, you've come to the right place.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
During the summers, Arizona residents have three things on their minds: How to cool down from the heat, How to cool down from the heat, and finally How to cool down from the heat Like many people, you might find yourself wanting to cannonball into a refreshing swimming pool on scorching summer days.
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Well, we did it again! Pool and Spa News (PSN) has named us a top 50 pool builder for the third time in River Pools history.
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Options and Accessories | Retaining Walls, Fence, and Landscaping
Why have this…
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
Fun fact: Saltwater crocodiles are the largest living reptiles in the world. They can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh over 2,000 pounds. But we're not here to talk about crocodiles. We're here to talk about saltwater pools. As fiberglass pool manufacturers who work with a network of installers across the country, we can confirm that saltwater pools are growing more and more popular every year. While public opinion clearly supports installing or switching to a salt system, people still have a ton of questions.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
Are you shopping for a swimming pool in Richmond, Virginia? Tired of having to go to the river or public pool for a swim? We get it. We also get that inground pools aren't always cheap. As fiberglass pool manufacturers with years of installation experience, we have spoken with many customers and have heard their concerns. Over the years, we've learned that the pool's cost is often the biggest factor when deciding which inground pool to purchase.
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Which is better: a small inground pool or a large inground pool? Why do you think so? If you said that large inground pools are better, here’s a little known secret for you: small inground pools come with a longer list of advantages than large inground pools.
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Cost and Pricing | Installation & Construction
Does the sweltering summer heat have you thinking about getting an inground swimming pool? Are you searching for pool cost estimates online but can't seem to find what you need? With decades of experience in the inground pool industry (now specializing in fiberglass), we know exactly how much inground pools can cost to build and own. Our goal is to empower pool shoppers like you with information so that you can make the right choices without any lingering buyer's remorse.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
The first question pool shoppers usually ask us is, "How much do inground pools cost?"
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool Design
Inground pools aren’t just for people with big yards and big budgets. Actually, some of the coolest projects we’ve seen featured small swimming pool models. Say whaaaaaaat? While there are tons of reasons why you may want a small inground pool, we have discovered over the years that people prefer small inground pools because they tend to cost less, depending on the complexity of the install, and fit in most spaces. Smaller pools are often called cocktail pools or plunge pools, depending on their dimensions and depths. Click the link in the previous sentence to learn more about these smaller pools.
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Cost and Pricing | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
Are you finally ready to install an inground pool? If you are, you might find yourself having the discussion of indoor vs. outdoor pools. Being in the fiberglass pool industry, we know that most pool shoppers go down that road, even if it's just for a brief moment. If you're currently in the middle of this debate, we want to help you decide which is right for you so that you can know without a doubt that you are building the pool of your dreams.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories
If we've learned anything during our many years in the swimming pool industry, it's this: Kids LOVE swimming pools, no matter the type, size, or cost. Throw in a couple of pool toys, and they won't get out for the rest of the summer. Add a pool slide, and the pool practically becomes Disneyland.
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There’s no place like Raleigh, NC. With pleasantly warm but not too hot summers, the Raleigh area is perfect for picnics, bike rides, and of course…swimming!
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Installation & Construction | Options and Accessories
Starting to wonder if you should finally take your pool to the next level with a pool house? Have you ever considered it before? A pool house may seem like a luxury that's just out of reach - too expensive, too much work, and takes up too much space. But the reality is that pool houses come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles that can work with a range of budgets.
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Shopping for a swimming pool in Raleigh or a surrounding county? Feeling overwhelmed by your number of options? Being that we’re manufacturers of fiberglass swimming pools, we hear customers say all the time how much work it can be to narrow down a list of pool builders who service their area.
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Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Are you waiting for summer to buy your inground pool? If you are, you're not alone. As fiberglass pool manufacturers who have installed thousands of swimming pools, we find that most people put off their inground pool shopping until spring or summer. After all, swimming may not be the first thing on your mind when you're huddled over your space heater sipping a pumpkin spice latte. As a result, pool builders get an influx of customers right when spring and summer roll around. What does this mean for you?
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Cost and Pricing | Swimming Pool Design
Need to get an affordable swimming pool ASAP? We already covered how you can get an inground pool fast and cheap, but what if you want a less permanent option, like an above ground pool?
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories | Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design
So, you want to get a fiberglass pool but are confronted with the dilemma of which design you like best. We get that. As fiberglass pool manufacturers, we see many people get stuck on which pool model they want to install, and it's not hard to see why. Each fiberglass pool model has a unique shape and set of features that you won't find anywhere else. Fiberglass pools can also last 50 or more years and become a permanent part of your home.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories
Imagine it: the sun's shining on a beautiful blue summer day. Your inground swimming pool is sparkling clean and crystal clear. You've got your favorite swimsuit on and it's time for a swim. But when you test the water with your foot, you realize... the weather might be amazing, but your pool water is still ice cold. Most pool owners have had a similar experience on days when it otherwise seems like the perfect time to swim. It can be unbearably frustrating... but it is fixable, if you have a swimming pool heater.
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What should you do if you want to get a pool in the future but aren't getting it just yet? As manufactures of fiberglass swimming pools, we have customers contact us about this all the time. Often, people who are interested in a swimming pool ask, how can I prepare my home for a pool even if I don't want one right now?
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If you think that ozone is a mysterious substance that only exists miles and miles up in the stratosphere, think again! Ozone plays an important role in protecting us from the sun, but did you know that it can also protect you from harmful pathogens in your swimming pool? Don’t worry, you won’t have to siphon ozone from the ozone layer in the sky to get it. In fact, you can make ozone right in your own backyard.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Installation & Construction | Options and Accessories
Are you dreaming of swimming pools? Do you wish you could have one, like, right now? Based on our many years in the swimming pool industry, we can say without a doubt that it is possible to get an affordable swimming pool quickly and without planning months in advance. If a pool is part of your home staycation plans, but you don’t know how to get one, don’t panic! Here’s how you can get a pool fast, cheap, and in time for summer.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance
Have you been wanting to boost your pool's sanitation with a UV system? Now may be a great time to look into your options. Although swimming pools and spas are safe and do not spread COVID-19 when maintained properly, it's never a bad idea to give your pool an extra bit of care.
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These days have been anything but ordinary. As many of us begin to adapt to life at home, you may find yourself wondering what to do in place of your spring and summer plans. We know that many have been asking questions like: Is a vacation still an option at this time? Can I still take that trip that I planned? What will I do during my vacation now?
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories
Let us guess - you couldn’t take it anymore. Just the idea of calling in friends to help you pull the giant, heavy tarp-like winter cover off the pool in the spring made you almost put off opening your pool another week. Even if you have a more durable version, such as a mesh or solid security pool cover, putting them on and taking them off is difficult. Too difficult to do it frequently enough to keep the pool clean and warm.
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Maintenance | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
You knew it was coming. You tried to put it out of your mind. Maybe one more year, you hopefully thought. But as last year’s summer came to a close, you knew that resurfacing your pool was inevitable. Resurfacing an inground pool is a regular and necessary maintenance task for most pool owners. The plus side is that it will improve your swimming experience, and it can also extend the pool’s lifespan. The downside is that the cost can be...a lot.
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Keeping your pool clean is extremely important, but, let’s face it, it’s also a chore. Since we at River Pools are in the business of manufacturing and installing fiberglass pools, we know first hand how much work caring for a swimming pool can be. Most people have one swimming pool in their yard...we have four. Luckily, there are a few robots that can help out.
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We’ve all been through a lot over the last couple of weeks. Spring and summer travel plans have been put off indefinitely, weddings have been postponed, events canceled. Recently, more and more customers have come to us and said that, instead of traveling, they've decided that this year they'll stay home and do a "staycation" (stay-cation).
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It’s official - the CDC has stated that there is no evidence that the new coronavirus can be spread through swimming pools and spas. We wanted to make this clear because even over the last week, as we’ve been chatting with homeowners about a swimming pool, this is a question that has already started to come up in conversations. With so little understanding of the virus currently in the world, we wanted to at least clarify any concerns regarding coronavirus and swimming pools.
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In frank terms, the coronavirus isn’t a good thing. Nor is it something any of us are excited about. Its impact on individual health, as well as the world economy, is indeed a tough pill to swallow. Over the past week, many of our swimming pool dealers around the country have asked us what this virus might mean for swimming pools in 2020 and beyond.
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Pool Maintenance | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
When swimming season rolls around, nothing can get in the way of a pool owner's happiness except for maybe a thunderstorm, a cold front, or one of the most dreaded...a new tear in the vinyl pool liner. It happens. Despite the upsides that vinyl pools offer, one of the biggest downsides is that tears or holes can occur. The good news? There are easy fixes to this problem.
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Let’s face it - the swimming pool cover is rarely as pretty as the pool itself. They make having a pool safer for your family and the neighborhood, but you lose all of that yard space when the pool is covered up...not to mention that some pool covers can be an eyesore. That is unless you have a sliding deck pool cover.
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Pool Maintenance | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
Have you ever spilled cola or red wine on a brand new carpet? Yeah, it’s not fun. Know what else isn’t fun? Stains on your pool liner. Knocking your cocktail into your swimming pool probably won’t stain your pool liner, but a lot of other things will.
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Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction
We’ve heard it before, the naysayers against having a pool in an area that enjoys all of the seasons. "Why build a pool when you can’t enjoy it year-round?", they ask. Answer: our summers are shorter, so we take advantage of them while we can! Not to mention, having a pool to relax in after a long day of laying on the sand is basically a requirement when living in Virginia Beach.
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Do you live in Charlottesville and want to get a swimming pool? Charlottesville, Virginia is an excellent place for an inground pool, but we want you to be aware of what you need to know before you get your pool (you know, the kinds of things that you wish someone would have told you early on before it was too late).
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If you’re a savvy shopper, you probably wouldn’t buy a big-ticket item, like a car, trailer, or swimming pool, until you’ve researched the manufacturer, looked at the specs, explored reviews, and assessed the product’s strengths and weaknesses. For a fiberglass swimming pool, you not only have to research the company that installs the pool, but you also have to research the people who make the fiberglass pool shell (sometimes they are the same, but often they are separate).
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Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction
In the dead of winter, we’re all imagining the smell of sunscreen in the air and the sound of cannonballs in our backyard. If these thoughts are making you consider installing a pool, you’re not crazy - now is actually the best time.
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Concrete Pool Information | Pool Maintenance
Dread washes over you like the water that used to be in your pool the moment you realize there might be a leak. Is there a leak? How did it happen? When did it happen? And the scariest question, how much will it cost to repair it? This is a common problem that plagues many concrete pool owners. Leak repairs can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, so it’s important to know the details associated with them.
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Williamsburg, Virginia might be one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. If you’re lucky enough to live in Williamsburg or you’re thinking about moving to Williamsburg, you might be wondering what your life will look like in the next several years. Do you own a home? Will you buy a home? Will you renovate the home or build a swimming pool? If you have swimming pools on your mind, there are a few things that you need to know before you take those first steps towards becoming a pool owner.
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Concrete Pool Information | Pool Maintenance
Surface damage to a concrete swimming pool can be annoying. Structural damage to a concrete pool can be a catastrophe. We think that both are serious enough to be considered before you buy your inground concrete pool (and we definitely recommend that you learn about these issues if you’re already a concrete pool owner). Most major damage happens when the pool is designed, built, or maintained incorrectly, and many of the things we’re going to talk about here can be avoided. Since we at River Pools love seeing people happy with their new inground swimming pools (we manufacture fiberglass pools), we want to help you avoid these issues.
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Concrete Pool Information | Pool Maintenance
Are you getting an inground concrete pool, or do you already have one? If you’re on a budget, chances are you’re going to choose plaster for your pool surface, and it’s not a bad choice. Pool plaster is the cheapest option, and it’s the classic choice for concrete inground pools. On the flip side, it’s also the least durable, rough to the touch, and comes with its share of problems.
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Cost and Pricing | Finding A Pool Contractor | Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Buying an inground swimming pool is the same no matter where you live, right? Actually, buying and installing a swimming pool in Virginia can be a totally different experience than installing one in, say, Texas or Utah. The state you live in can often mean additional costs to build your pool, whether that’s due to local regulations or the nature of your landscape.
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Is this the year you finally get that inground concrete pool you’ve been wanting? If you’ve been putting it off for a while, chances are you’re concerned about how much your swimming pool is going to cost. Maybe you’re waiting to save some money, or maybe you just aren’t sure if you can make the purchase right now. In any case, it helps to know how much you can realistically expect to pay for your swimming pool upfront before you can make any big buying decisions. Some builders might tell you that they can build you a gunite pool at a vinyl liner pool price, but we typically see that as a red flag. How do we know this?
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Design Guides
If you’re shopping for an inground pool and if "go big or go home" is your motto, you probably want the largest swimming pool that you can afford. At River Pools, we exclusively manufacture and install fiberglass swimming pools, so we know all about your pool size options and how they affect the price, installation, and long-term maintenance of your inground pool. In this article, we’ll share what we know about large fiberglass swimming pools, including sizes, designs, cost, installation, and more to help you decide if a large fiberglass pool is the right choice for your home.
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Concrete Pool Information | Pool Design Guides
What do you think about when you hear the term “above ground pool”? Do you picture one of those blue inflatable pools or a round metal pool with a ladder? While that’s what many above ground pools look like, there are actually tons of examples of inground pools (like concrete or fiberglass) installed above ground. In fact, at River Pools, we have installed our fiberglass pools above ground for clients in the past. Why would someone want to bring their inground pool above ground?
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Cost and Pricing | Options and Accessories
We’ll be upfront with you - a saltwater pool costs about as much as a traditional chlorine pool. If that’s what you were looking for, feel free to exit this page. If, however, you’d like to learn more about saltwater pool costs, keep reading because we’re going to cover all angles of this topic.
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Concrete pools are classic. Even though our expertise lies within inground fiberglass swimming pools, we’ll be the first to tell you that concrete offers some things that other pool types can’t. These things include unlimited shapes, widths, and depths, and all tile or pebble surfaces. On the flip side, the surfaces can be rough. Concrete pools are also high maintenance, and they are typically the most expensive of the inground pools to build. They are certainly the most expensive to maintain.
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | DIY Fiberglass Pools | Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Installation & Construction | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
If you’ve ever built a toy model or assembled furniture from a box, you might think that a pool kit is similar to that. In some ways, you are correct. An inground pool kit comes with many of the parts that you need to put your pool together, but in the end, it’s more than just assembling the pieces.
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Concrete Pool Information | Installation & Construction
Stuck with an old concrete or gunite pool that’s just not worth the work anymore? We get it. Concrete pools look great, but they’re high-maintenance and expensive to operate and maintain (acid washing, resurfacing, constant cleaning, etc.). Fixing up an old, neglected concrete pool is an even more demanding job and can take a lot more time, energy, and money.
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Pool Maintenance | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
Do you own a vinyl liner pool and need to replace the liner? Maybe you’re still pool shopping and looking into what it will take to replace your liner in the future. Whether you have a pool now that needs maintenance or you’re just educating yourself on the upkeep of your soon-to-be swimming pool, we’ve got you covered.
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Cost and Pricing | Options and Accessories
You’ve finally decided that want to install an inground pool on your property. Now what? Like most home improvement projects, installing an inground swimming pool can add tremendous value to your home. However, it can also be a hefty investment if you don’t know how to set a realistic budget. At River Pools, we install inground fiberglass pools for a wide range of customers every year. For some, the budget is an afterthought, and for others, it’s a crucial factor. Before you make any big purchases, it’s important that you understand your finances, carefully research your options, and create a plan to help you pick the best pool package for your home.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
Thinking about getting an inground pool for your backyard? You've probably been doing quite a bit of research on your options. Right now, you might be trying to narrow your options down to a fiberglass pool... or something else. By the end of this article, you should have a much better understanding of whether or not fiberglass is the best choice for your pool project, as well as the pros and cons of having a pool. Nothing in life is perfect. Inground pools of any type certainly aren’t, either. We exclusively manufacture and install fiberglass swimming pools at River Pools, but we've been in this business long enough to understand that fiberglass isn't the best fit for every backyard. We want all pool buyers to make the best choice for their lives and homes. Over the years, we've turned away hundreds of potential customers if they’re clearly looking for something (a certain size, a specific shape, a distinct set of features, or anything else) better suited to a concrete or vinyl liner swimming pool.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information
Having your own swimming pool should be a dream within your reach, no matter how big or small your yard, or your budget. Of course, everyone knows inground swimming pools are major investment. You should also know a swimming pool can provide years of use, tons of fun, and lifetimes of memories for the whole family -- if not for your entire neighborhood.
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DIY Fiberglass Pools | Fiberglass Pool Information
We’re not psychics, but we’re guessing you’re thinking about getting a fiberglass pool kit. After all, that’s why you’re here, right? While we don’t have mind-reading superpowers, we are pretty knowledgable about inground fiberglass swimming pools. Since you’re looking for information on fiberglass pool kits, like how much they cost, what they include, and mistakes to avoid, we want to help you out by sharing as much of our knowledge as we can.
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Imagine you’re next to your beautiful new inground swimming pool. You’re standing on the deck, and you look down at your feet. What’s under them? Is it concrete? If you’re dreaming about getting a concrete pool deck around your pool, we can’t say that it’s a bad choice. But before you make your final decision, we want you to take a deeper look at the pros and cons of choosing concrete as your decking material just to make sure that it's the right fit for you.
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Did you know that concrete has been around since at least 6500BC? That’s more than 8,000 years ago and 240 plus generations. So, when you walk down your concrete driveway or relax around your pool’s concrete deck, you’re actually connecting with a long-standing piece of human history. As cool as that is, it’s probably not why you’re considering a concrete deck for your swimming pool, at least not the main reason. First and foremost, concrete is known for its durability as a decking material. It’s also more cost-effective than most other pool deck and patio options. How do we know this?
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DIY Fiberglass Pools | Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Maintenance
So, you’re finally ready to get your own inground swimming pool. Chances are, this is something that you have been dreaming about for years, and we couldn’t be more excited for you. At River Pools, we specialize in fiberglass swimming pools, and we know just how exciting buying a pool can be. In fact, we feel that’s exactly as it should be.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Swimming Pool FAQs
Have you been contemplating getting a fiberglass pool? Maybe you’ve already explored the pros and cons of going with fiberglass and have compared it to other inground pool options, or maybe you already know that you like fiberglass, but you’re still not 100% sure. If you have any reservations about getting a fiberglass pool, we’re here to help you out.
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Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool Design
Interested in getting your own swimming pool? You have two options: inground and above ground. But what if you want a little bit of both? That’s what they call a semi inground pool, and technically, it’s a third option.
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Concrete Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories
Looking for a new finish for your swimming pool? If tile, plaster, or aggregate aren’t your jam, you still have a few other options. One viable option that we sometimes recommend is ecoFINISH. You might have heard of it before, so we want to help you learn more about it and explain how it works.
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Finding the right swimming pool contractor can be a lot of work. The reality is that there are many swimming pool builders to choose from across the state of Virginia, and they don’t all offer the same services (or build the same types of pools!). So, how do you find a good swimming pool contractor without spending days sifting through your options? options
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass Pool Information
We say this a lot, but buying a pool is kind of like buying a car. If we’ve saved enough for the car, we can pay for it all upfront. Most of the time, we make payments until it’s paid in full. So, chances are, when you get quoted for an inground fiberglass swimming pool, you’re not getting the number that’s going to apply to your day to day life: the monthly payment. At River Pools, we manufacture and install fiberglass pools for customers across North America, and we have seen a wide range of financing options.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Maintenance | Pool Manufacturing Process
We’ve covered fiberglass pools extensively in our previous guides and articles, but there’s something that's been missing from our content... We haven’t said much about resurfacing fiberglass pools. At River Pools, our fiberglass pools are made with high-quality materials, and they really don’t need to be refinished when cared for properly, even after several decades. However, we also acknowledge that not all fiberglass pools are made equal. Some fiberglass pool shells are made with lower quality materials that may be less durable over time.
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Texas is a great place for a swimming pool, and it’s an even better place for a fiberglass pool. Why? Fiberglass pools are low maintenance, quick to install, and cheaper to own over time than other inground pools. In addition, choosing a fiberglass pool in Texas can minimize risks that are associated with long installation timelines, which is crucial for those living in windy or stormy areas (we see you, Houston). But how much does it cost to put one of these fiberglass pools in your yard?
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Concrete Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Information | Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
One of the main things that you have to consider when choosing an inground pool is the interior finish. You’ve got a lot of options for this part, but which one is the best? You want it to transform your pool into an oasis, a relaxing space that makes you forget the responsibilities waiting outside the water. With that in mind, you don’t want something that just looks nice. You probably want something that’s easy to maintain and lasts for years. At River Pools, we’ve worked in the swimming pool business for many years and know all about swimming pool finishes and their pros and cons.
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Pool chlorine may be the hottest thing in swimming pool sanitation, but did you know that there are many other options to choose from? One of those options that people sometimes talk about is pool bromine. Bromine and chlorine are similar in many ways, but they can’t be used interchangeably without a noticeable difference.
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When you put a pool in the ground, you have to consider much more than just the pool itself. To start, you have to think about what you’re going to do with the area around it. After all, you don’t want messy dirt tracks taking away from the beauty of your new sparkling pool! Most people either build a patio or deck around their swimming pool, or sometimes both. Decks, in particular, are usually made out of wood and are some of the most popular add-ons to inground pool projects.
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Pool Closing/Winterization | Pool Maintenance
Winters can be harsh. We’re talking pipes bursting, driveways cracking, and roofs collapsing harsh, and you need to know how to maintain and protect your pool equipment during these cold months. After all, you want to be able to enjoy your pool again when the warm weather rolls back around. One of the things that you need to take care of is your automatic pool cover. (Don’t have one yet? Read about the pros and cons of automatic pool covers here.) Automatic pool cover systems are beneficial to have mainly for safety reasons, but they also help to keep out dirt and debris. As tempting as it might be, you can’t just put the cover on for the winter and hope for the best. You also have to take care of it to make sure that snow, ice, and water don’t damage it.
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Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Options and Accessories
One of the really cool parts of buying your own inground pool is that you get to pick the pool color. That’s right. Not all swimming pools have to be white or blue. Swimming pools of all types are finished in a wide range of colors like green, grey, and even black.
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Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Disclaimer: This quick guide is designed to help you figure out where you should build your pool if you live near a body of water like a lake, river, or on the beach. Although we can provide a general overview of what you need to know, the distance that your pool needs to be from the water will also vary depending on your state, county, and zoning regulations, so be sure to keep that in mind. If, however, you’re looking for some information on swimming pool placement in general or if you want to learn about the first steps towards getting a swimming pool, click here. For those of you who need to find out where to place your pool if you live near a body of water, you’re in luck.
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A swimming pool is quite unlike anything else that you may ever own. If you don’t clean your house, you can still live in it. If you don’t clean your car, you can still drive it. But if you don’t clean your pool, you can’t swim in it. At least you really shouldn’t. Cleaning is an essential part of maintaining your swimming pool and, unfortunately, keeping leaves out is only half the job. There are also invisible pathogens and parasites that can make swimming in your pool unsafe. So how do you keep them out?
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You may have heard the news that the lack of maintenance in public pools has led to bacteria and pool parasites running amuck in the swim water all summer. Yeah, gross. If you never had a good reason to invest in your own swimming pool, you might be thinking about it now.
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Installation & Construction | Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance
Everyone looks forward to swimming in their pool, but who looks forward to cleaning it? Okay, some of you like cleaning the pool (maybe even you), but most people find pool cleaning to be a chore and would rather have someone or something else do it for them.
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Cost and Pricing | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Design
Most people work hard to keep their pools from turning green. Others don’t mind it. In fact, they’ll dive in for a swim when the pool is as green as a swamp. Why? That swampy green color is intentional and it’s actually keeping the pool clean.
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Concrete Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Information | Installation & Construction | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
These days, you can buy just about anything online. Food, furniture, heavy machinery, and yep, even inground swimming pools. We’re not talking inflatable kiddie pools either. These are massive, permanent structures, and they are sold online every day from various retailers. When you shop for an inground pool online, it can be as simple as picking the pool you want, paying for it, and having it delivered to your door. But how does buying a swimming pool online change your installation options? What choices do you have when you buy a pool online?
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Cost and Pricing | Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool Design
Let’s say you'd like to get a pool, but you don’t have a yard to put it in. Maybe you’re in a tight neighborhood and can’t fit anything bigger than a kiddie pool on that little patch of grass outside your door. You can give up on the idea, or you can get creative and put a pool on the roof. Everyone knows that it's possible in theory, but can you really put a pool on the roof?
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | DIY Fiberglass Pools | Fiberglass Pool Information | Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs | Vinyl Liner Pool Information
So you’re up for a home improvement project, only this time you’re taking on something big...you want to build your own swimming pool. And that’s awesome. We know how rewarding it can be to complete a project and benefit from it for years. It might fill you with a sense of pride to do things on your own and to do a good job, or you might just want to save some money. Swimming pools can be tricky though, and mistakes can be costly. So, how will you know if a DIY inground pool is a good idea or if you’ve undertaken too much?
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Options and Accessories | Patio and Coping
Did you know that most pool owners spend 70-90% of their time around the pool rather than in it? When you consider that the swimming season only lasts a few months out of the year, designing an outdoor living space that is functional and nice to look at becomes much more important. But what are your options when it comes to pool patio furniture and decorating your outdoor living space?
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories
Lying on your lounger by the pool requires a few important essentials: sunglasses, a drink, a book, and something to browse the internet with. Let’s be honest, you’ll quickly tire of squinting to read the book and inevitably move to your phone or tablet. Why? To post pictures, check e-mail, peruse the internet, watch a show, listen to a podcast, or shop. But what happens when you’re lounging with your feet in the water taking a video on Snapchat and it doesn’t go through? You load Facebook...nada. E-mail? You just see that little circle loading thing.
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Options and Accessories | Patio and Coping
Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about the perfect swimming pool? When it comes to your own inground pool, chances are you already know the exact dimensions that you want, the shape, the type, and even the features that you want your swimming pool to have.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories | Tanning Ledges
Have you ever wanted to take the recliner from your living room and set it up in your pool? Maybe you'd like to stretch out on the couch underneath the summer sun while basking in the water. Okay, that sounds like a bad idea, but the good news is, there’s a lot of potential for pool furniture.
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Ah, Texas. The land of BBQ, football, and...intense heat. The temperature in Dallas gets up in the 90s throughout June, July, and August. El Paso gets up to over 100 degrees on the regular, and Houston, Austin, and San Antonio are stuffy and humid during the summer months. It's no wonder that so many Texans want inground swimming pools.
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How much does a swimming pool cost? This is the question that most people want to answer first before they decide what features they want their swimming pool to have. However, since we at River Pools have been in the fiberglass swimming pool business for many years, we know that you can never give a simple across-the-board answer when it comes to swimming pool prices.
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It’s happening. You can’t deny it because you’re reading this article. You are thinking about getting a pool! Does anyone know yet, or are you secretly getting details about your options so that you’re prepared to make the pitch to family, friends, or a spouse? Great news, you’ve come to the right place.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Pool Maintenance
Before getting your swimming pool, you might be asking questions like, “How much does a pool raise your electric bill? What does it cost to get a pool cleaning service? How much will I pay for chemicals?” These are totally valid questions, and you’re a smart shopper for asking them.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Maintenance
Fiberglass pools are durable, low maintenance, and they have the fastest installation of all inground pools, but you might still be asking, “What is the life expectancy of a fiberglass pool? How long should a fiberglass pool last?"
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories | Tanning Ledges
We all know that swimming pools aren’t just for swimming - they’re for playing, exercising, and most importantly...relaxing! Picture yourself lying on your pool's tanning ledge with a magazine in one hand and your favorite drink in the other while your kids begin another round of Marco Polo. You get to relax and they get to play. Everyone is happy.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Accessories
We all know that one of the most important parts of owning an inground pool is keeping it clean. Slacking on maintenance can damage your pool and let’s face it, no one wants to see their sparkling oasis turn into a swamp. Luckily, you have a few options when it comes to keeping your pool clean.
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Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
Thinking about getting a new inground swimming pool for your backyard? Summers will never be the same again!
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Concrete Pool Information | Pool Maintenance
Close your eyes and picture the sidewalk on your street. I myself live on an ominous back road—no sidewalk or concrete, just loose gravel and abandoned houses. But it branches off the main street, which is paved and has a sidewalk. Fancy. This sidewalk features trip hazards and aesthetic issues: multiple cracks, salt stains, little holes and etching, and (bonus) a set of footprints from a small dog. Concrete has its own set of issues, but let’s think about those salt stains and etches for a moment. That’s just from the occasional weather maintenance, like the trucks that spray salt all over the road and the sidewalks (and your car if you’re driving behind them). Water in a concrete pool wears at the plaster all day every day. Now add a salt chlorine generator to that mix. Salt + water + concrete. See how that might be an issue?
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Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
If you’re looking for a cozy spot to add fresh life to your home and backyard, you might want to consider installing a cocktail pool. They’re typically quite a bit smaller than a standard full-sized pool, but that’s just part of their charm and appeal. A well-designed cocktail pool can bring all the bells and whistles of a full-sized pool in a more compact space, which makes them perfect for homes with smaller backyards. Cocktail pools have lots of upsides: they’re ideal for entertaining in small spaces, their smaller footprints make them more affordable than supersized pools, and they're often better for the environment than larger pools. But are cocktail pools really worth the money?
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner
There is an excitement that comes with getting a new pool that’s hard to describe. You find yourself dreaming about lounge chairs, the smell of sunscreen, and how magical your pool will look at night. Then reality hits, and you remember that these aren’t the only things you have to worry about as a pool shopper. Cost, upkeep, environment, and safety are all factors to keep in mind when choosing which type of pool to purchase.
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Concrete Pool Information | Cost and Pricing | Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Pool Maintenance
If you’re looking into getting an inground swimming pool, you might be asking yourself, “Should I get a concrete pool?” Here At River Pools, although we may specialize in fiberglass pools, we readily admit that concrete pools are sometimes a better fit for some people. In fact, there are even times when we encourage shoppers to choose a concrete pool over other types. Why would we do that?
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Installation & Construction | Swimming Pool FAQs
Like many, you’re probably dreaming about having your own swimming pool in your backyard. After all, it is an amazing thing to be able to go swimming whenever you want. No more public pools.
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Options and Accessories | Retaining Walls, Fence, and Landscaping
So you're getting that beautiful swimming pool and now you're asking yourself, "OK, what type of fencing should I choose? Which is best for me? How do I get the protection I want without sacrificing the look and feel of my wonderful backyard?"
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Pool Design Guides | Tanning Ledges
Gone are the days of either lying next to the pool or standing in it. Enter the tanning ledge: a place where you can actually lie down in the pool, with or without furniture (and without having to hold your breath!). If you don't know what a tanning ledge is (some call it a baja shelf, sun shelf, or tanning shelf), think of it as a very shallow zone in or next to the main pool where you can relax and keep cool.
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Pool landscaping | Pool lighting
You may be asking yourself, "Do I really need landscape lighting around my pool?" Good question, and the answer in most cases is yes for two main reasons: form and function. With our collective experience within the inground fiberglass swimming pool industry, we've seen thousands of inground pool projects over the years.
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Options and Accessories | Swimming Pool Design | Tanning Ledges
How would you feel if we told you that there is a feature that could double the usefulness of your swimming pool? We know that you’re not spending thousands of dollars on your pool just to stare at it (although swimming pools are beautiful things!). The feature we’re talking about puts you back in the pool for all the activities you would traditionally do poolside.
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Pool Design Guides | Swimming Pool Design
They’re cheap, they’re stylish, they look cool...so what’s the catch? We agree that shipping container pools are awesome, but like anything else in life, they don’t offer a one-size-fits-all type of experience. Some people are attracted to all that the shipping container design has to offer, while others would not be able to meet their needs with this type of pool.
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Fiberglass vs Concrete vs Vinyl Liner | Options and Accessories | Tanning Ledges
The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. With summer right around the corner, you might be tempted to ditch work, grab a lounge chair, and go sit in the pool. You read that right. In the pool, not beside it. That's just one of the many cool things you can do with a tanning ledge.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Swimming Pool Design | Swimming Pool FAQs
Once upon a time, fiberglass technology was in its infancy. Fiberglass pools often looked plain or cheap, simply because technology hadn't advanced very far yet. However, with time, science, and a passion for splashin', modern fiberglass pool manufacturers have blown those outdated appearances out of the water. Today’s fiberglass pools are elegant and stylish, fitting beautifully into any backyard landscape.
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Fiberglass Pool Manufacturers | Pool Design Guides
Fiberglass pools come in many different sizes and shapes. Back in the 1970s and '80s, you were limited in the selection of sizes and shapes of fiberglass pools. Fiberglass pools came in two colors, white and powder blue. But today there are a wide variety of fiberglass pools to choose from, including a wide variety of colors to pick from. This is due to more people getting into the manufacturing of fiberglass pools and the advancements that have been made in the gel coat industry.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Design Guides
What's hot in the world of inground pools today? Here at River Pools, we help hundreds of inground pool clients plan and design their dream pools each year. This allows us to keep a pulse on the options, accessories, and features that are trending in the inground pool marketplace. And today we want to share this with you!
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Fiberglass Pool Information | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool FAQs
Owning a pool is constantly a balancing act. You must balance the time you spend caring for your pool with the time you spend enjoying it. Spend too much time on maintenance, and there's no free time left to have fun in your pool! That is just one of the many advantages of fiberglass pools: the lowest-maintenance in-ground pool available on the market today.
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Installation & Construction | Pool Manufacturing Process | Swimming Pool FAQs
A fiberglass pool installation is, relatively speaking, less messy than vinyl liner or concrete. However, note that I said less messy, rather than not messy. We're using giant machinery to rip out a ton of earth and put in your glittery new pool. It's not a clean, tidy process. There tends to be a rose-colored-glasses assumption that there won't be that many machines, and they won't make that much of a mess. In the past we've heard people say, "I didn't know my yard was gonna be such a mess. No one told me." Well, it's time someone told you—and that someone is River Pools.
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories
I've lost count of the times I've addressed my parents' Amazon Echo with "Hey Google." There are just so many virtual assistants, it's hard to keep them all straight. Alexa, Siri, Google Home/Assistant, and Cortana (wait, who?)... If I can barely remember which one I'm addressing, I certainly can't keep track of all the things they automate or simplify for us. A pool automation system creates this convenience for handling your pool and its features, without the multi-brand confusion. (But hey, some of them can also connect to Alexa and co.! Score!)
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Options and Accessories | Pool Maintenance | Swimming Pool Accessories | Swimming Pool FAQs
Technology is hard. It's even worse when you can't pick the equipment out of a lineup. But we're here to make your life easier, in every way we can. So today... let's talk filter systems.
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You designed your dream backyard. The pool, the landscaping, the patio. So much effort, and so worth it. You’ve finally crafted a place that not only looks fantastic, but brings a feeling of togetherness for the ones who matter most to you. It's a beautiful thing. Except you didn't design the aggressive bubbles shooting out of the returns on the pool walls. So what's up with that? Why are you getting air bubbles in your swimming pool? This is a common problem, especially when you're first opening your pool for the season. A few bubbles in the pool or the pump is normal, but noisy churning and lots of bubbles indicate that you likely have a problem.
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Patio and Coping | Pool Design Guides
One of the biggest debates that pool shoppers have during the process of building their swimming pool is which type of concrete to use for their patio. There are many, many types of patios that can go around a swimming pool: brushed concrete, stamped concrete, pavers, stone, brick, overlays, etc. This article will solely focus on helping you to understand the pros and cons to brushed (aka broomed) vs. stamped. By so doing, you will be able to make the best choice for you and your family.
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