How our Viking Pools are made....

Have you ever wondered how a Viking fiberglass pool is formed? Your curiosity is about to be quenched. Here are the 10 steps it takes to complete the formation of a Viking fiberglass pool!

1. Prepare the mold so that the pool easily separates from the mold to give the pool a better quality finish.

2. Our standard gel-coat, premium Crystite®, or Diamond Series™ finish is added, which has a 20-year warranty. Our Crystite® finish is available in 86,400,000 colors though our Kaleido-Center.

3. Vinyl Ester Resin is then added to provide the greatest impact resistance, blister protection, and give the gel-coat, Crystite®, or Diamond Series™ finish a gorgeous profile.

4. Additional layers of Vinyl Ester Resin, chopped and hand laid fiberglass are strategically placed for durability and strength.

5. The heart of every Viking pool is the ceramic core, an additional layer which is sandwiched between protective layers of specially designed resin and fiberglass. The ceramic core adds a greater strength to the pool walls and provides enhanced water resistance.

6. Fiberglass is hand-laid across the pool to complete the important corrosion barrier to enhance durability. Additional layers of chopped fiberglass are added. When combined with the hand-lied fiberglass it provides additional strength.

7. Honeycomb vertical supports are added to help support the walls during the installation process. The closed beam construction is then completed to strengthen the coping around the pool and allow easier lifting of the pool. Chains are always secured around the pool for easy unloading and setting.

8. The completed pool is lifted off the mold.

9. The pool is then detailed according to specification for a spectacular finish.

10. The pool is loaded onto the truck and ready for delivered to your home.

So next time, you are out driving down the highway and you see a fiberglass pool on a flatbed truck, you will know how it is made and that there is about to be a very happy homeowner.

Submitted By: Splash Pools

Raleigh Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston. We specialize in the installation of Viking Fiberglass Swimming Pools, Vinyl Liner and Concrete Swimming Pool Installations and Renovations including Tile and Coping, Natural Stone and Paver Decking, Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec outdoor fireplaces & kitchens, landscaping and more. Visit Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina at www.SplashPoolsNC.com or contact us at Info@SplashPoolsNC.com.

Splash Pools NC- Raleigh Fiberglass Swimming Pool Installer in the Triangle area

Check out one of our most recent slideshows, showcasing several Viking Fiberglass pool designs. As you can see, the pools are easy to customize and make them unique to your personal style. Simply by choosing a different tile for the waterline, a color coating for the bottom, or even the decking surrounding the pool, the pool becomes yours. You can customize your pool even more by adding water features such as fountains, sheer descent waterfalls, natural stone waterfalls and much more. Splash Pools is available to help you select and design a pool that will definitely make a splash. Contact us today!

Submitted By: Splash Pools

Raleigh Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston. We specialize in the installation of Viking Fiberglass Swimming Pools, Vinyl Liner and Concrete Swimming Pool Installations and Renovations including Tile and Coping, Natural Stone and Paver Decking, Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec outdoor fireplaces & kitchens, landscaping and more. Visit Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina at www.SplashPoolsNC.com or contact us at Info@SplashPoolsNC.com.

Splash Pools joins Viking Pools Referral Program

We are pleased to announce a new shared lead referral program that is available through Viking Pools. When you a purchase a Viking fiberglass pool from Splash Pools and then refer a friend to Splash Pools resulting in the purchase of a fiberglass pool, Viking Pools will discount the new pool order by $250.00 and you will receive a check for $250.00 after the pool has been paid for by the new customer. In addition, each friend you refer will receive a $250 discount on their new pool purchase.

We have Referral Books available, so that you can give your friends and family a referral slip that will encourage them to purchase a Viking pool from Splash Pools. There are 10 referral slips in each book so you have the potential to make $2500.00, which is a great incentive.

Each booklet is individually numbered and each slip must be faxed in with your order at the time of the order. Coupons after the order has been submitted will not be accepted.

Submitted By: Splash Pools

Raleigh Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston. We specialize in the installation of Viking Fiberglass Swimming Pools, Vinyl Liner and Concrete Swimming Pool Installations and Renovations including Tile and Coping, Natural Stone and Paver Decking, Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec outdoor fireplaces & kitchens, landscaping and more. Visit Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina at www.SplashPoolsNC.com or contact us at Info@SplashPoolsNC.com.

Splash Pools announces 20 year surface warranty on Viking Fiberglass Pools

Did you know that Viking Pools has upgraded the surface warranty from 7-years to 20-years on their Crystite and Diamond Series Finishes effective April 1, 2010?? Viking Fiberglass Pools still have a lifetime structural warranty on their pools. Splash Pools of North Carolina selected to sell Viking Pools to our clients for many reasons and appreciate their dedication to stand behind their product. To find out more information, please read below or check us out at www.splashpoolsnc.com.

In 1991, Viking Pools introduced its Crystite finishes to the North American market. At that time, no other US manufacturer was offering any other colors except White and Light Blue. In fact, up until about four years ago (2006) almost no other manufacturer producing pools in the United States offered anything but White and Light Blue.

In the nineteen (19) years since the introduction of Crystite, Viking Pools has manufactured, and our dealer base has installed, over 40,000 Crystite swimming pools. The performance of the Crystite finish has been outstanding relative to fading and durability.

Because of that exceptional performance over the past 19 years and the additional accelerated weather testing that has been performed to ASTM standards, Viking Pools offers a 20-Year surface warranty on all of its Crystite and Diamond Series fiberglass composite swimming pools.

Viking's Crystite and Diamond Series finishes are a complex formulation of layered gel coats, colored flakes, sparkles and colored resins. The specific formulations create an available color palette with actual three-dimensional depth which transfers more light and color back into the pool water than other colored finishes.

As the largest manufacturer of fiberglass composite swimming pools in North America, Viking has produced more colored fiberglass composite pools than all other US manufacturers combined. You can enjoy peace of mind in your backyard knowing that your product is backed by the industry leading 20-year surface and Lifetime structural warranties.

Submitted By: Splash Pools

Raleigh Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston. We specialize in the installation of Viking Fiberglass Swimming Pools, Vinyl Liner and Concrete Swimming Pool Installations and Renovations including Tile and Coping, Natural Stone and Paver Decking, Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec outdoor fireplaces & kitchens, landscaping and more. Visit Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina at www.SplashPoolsNC.com or contact us at Info@SplashPoolsNC.com.

Different Types of Swimming Pool Filters

Different Types of Pool Filters

Every swimming pool must have some sort of filter to clean the water in the pool. There are three different types of filters: Sand, DE (diatomaceous earth), and Cartridge. The sand filter and the DE are basically the same but have different material to clean the water. The sand filter uses “pool filter media sand” or you may use Grade #20 sand. Both types of sand can be found at your local pool store. The DE filter uses DE powder that needs to be flushed or backwashed every month or so.

Both filters have a backwash system located on the top of the multi-port valve. The backwash function on the multi-port valve simply pumps the water through the pipes faster than the usual speed while running the pool. It then cleans the pipes and circulates the dirty water through the filter and it is then either run through a separate pipe to the sewer line or it is runoff on the landscape.

The loss of water varies due to how dirty the pool is and the gallons or size of the pool. The cartridge filter uses a special cartridge to capture the elements in the water and circulate the clean water back to the pool. It does not have a backwash system but rather the owner must take out the cartridge and clean it with a garden hose. Each filter has its benefits and all have the same purpose: to clean your pool.

Submitted By: Splash Pools Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Greensboro, Lake Gaston the the surrounding areas. We specialize in the installation of Viking Fiberglass Swimming Pools, Vinyl Liner and Concrete Swimming Pool Installations and Renovations including Tile and Coping, Natural Stone and Paver Decking, Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec outdoor fireplaces & kitchens, landscaping and more. Visit Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina at www.SplashPoolsNC.com

Viking Pools to be featured on TLC's hit reality show

Splash Pools of NC wants to make sure your calendars are marked for November 11, 2010 at 6 pm. TLC will be running their hit TV show, Little People Big World. The Roloff Family will be installing a Gulf Coast pool form by Viking Pool.

Splash Pools recognizes the importance that swimming pools offer people. Not only are Splash Pools beautiful to look at, they are a great source for an active and healthy lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more about the benefits of owning your own pool (919) 291-8354 or frank@splashpools.net.

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

Splash Pools Excited for Viking Pools Newest Endeavor

The fiberglass landscape recently shifted following the announcement that Viking Pools had acquired fellow manufacturer Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Pools.

Viking, a division of Latham International, completed the deal for an undisclosed sum on Oct. 22, according to Latham president and CEO Mark Laven.

The acquisition further paved the way for Roger Erdelac, owner of Blue Hawaiian, to retire after a lengthy career in the industry.

“I had learned of Roger’s desire to exit the business, and I followed up with him,” Laven said. “It was an opportunity for us — Blue Hawaiian has a great dealer network, a good name and a great reputation.”

Viking plans to relocate Blue Hawaiian’s Largo, Fla., manufacturing operations to its Zephyrhills, Fla., facility; it also expects to transition production at Blue Hawaiian’s Rocky Mount, N.C., plant to Viking’s Rockingham, N.C., facility in the coming months.

In addition, Viking said it will honor warranty claims for pools installed by Blue Hawaiian prior to the acquisition. It also intends to retain the Blue Hawaiian brand name, according to company officials.

The feedback from Blue Hawaiian’s dealer network, which Laven estimated at about 100, has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.

“They’ll see tangible benefits,” Laven added. “We’ll be able to provide them with broad support, as well as new marketing and advertising programs we’re looking at introducing in 2011.”

That’s the plan, according to Laven, who explained that Blue Hawaiian’s molds were one of the main reasons Viking was attracted to the manufacturer in the first place.

“They have some really nice designs,” he added. “That was a key aspect of the business, and we plan to support Blue Hawaiian dealers with the same molds they’ve grown accustomed to. So yes, we’ll keep those molds and continue to market them as Blue Hawaiian.”

Based in Latham, N.Y., Latham International has made a number of industry acquisitions over the past decade. In addition to Viking, it now owns Pacific Pools, Ft. Wayne Pools and pool cover manufacturer Coverstar Inc.

Splash Pools looks forward to expanding the fiberglass swimming pool market, due to this most recent announcement. This will give us a great opportunity to give our customers a quality fiberglass pool along with the superior customer service we provide.

Splash Pools is an authorized Viking Pools dealer servicing Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas.

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

Viking Pools Founder Retires

Founder Alan Stahl Retires After 35 Years of Service

Alan Stahl started Viking Pools in 1975 from a desire to exit the meat cutting business and create a better life for his family. Little could he have known then that 35 years later an entire industry would be changed for the better because of his knowledge and determination.

In 1979, Stahl moved his California production facility to Williams and by the mid-1980’s began engineering the use of Vinyl Ester Resins, which has now become the benchmark for fiberglass swimming pool construction. In the mid-1990’s Stahl introduced accent inlayed tiles, a first in the fiberglass industry. Viking Pools also introduced Crystite® finishes during this time, which changed the way fiberglass pools were viewed in the market place. No longer just a plain white shell, fiberglass pools now had color with character and dimension.

Then, Alan realized the demand for his product was more widespread than the west coast, so in 1996, he opened a manufacturing facility in Midland, Texas and the following year began producing pools in Oak Hill, Florida. In 1999, Stahl recognized a demand for aquatic therapy and created the Hydro Zone line of swim spas. The following year a manufacturing facility was opened in Jane Lew, West Virginia.

Over the next decade additional brands were created including, CPC (Composite Pools), Crystal Palace Pools, and Liberty Composite Pools. Viking also experienced huge growth during this time, partially due to the array of innovations including built-in cascades, streams, aromatherapy, vanishing edges, specialty colors and finishes, and unique pool models. A state-of-the-art manufacturing facility was also opened in Zephyrhills, Florida to better service the growing demand in the southeast.

In 2005, Viking Pools was acquired by Latham International and Alan Stahl was promoted to Founder, while his son, Todd Stahl took Alan’s place as the President of Viking Pools LLC. The company continued to grow and has an International presence in the swimming pool industry. Viking Pools and affiliated brands have appeared in forty different television shows and movies that have aired over one thousand times, contributing to Viking’s overall brand recognition. Some of these shows include Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Little People Big World, The Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie, Moving Up, and Indoors Out. In 2009, all of the Viking Pools LLC brands became ICC Certified.

On September 8, 2010, Viking Pools, along with a select group of dealers and business partners, wished Alan Stahl a heartfelt farewell from the pool industry. A dinner was held at the Red Rock Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a historical presentation by Todd Stahl, guests took turns letting Alan know the positive effect he has had on their lives and their businesses. One guest summed it up best by stating that Alan has left more of a legacy than a successful fiberglass swimming pool manufacturing business, his three sons, Todd, Aaron, and Eric, and the relationships he has created will live on and prosper.

The fiberglass pool industry certainly would not be where it is today if it were not for one brilliant man, Alan Stahl, who can now be found enjoying life with his family and friends between his infamous hunting trips and helicopter rides.

Splash Pools- Variable Speed Pumps Save Energy and Money

You may not know that that a standard pool pump uses more electricity than any other

appliance in the home, except for an air-conditioner. You also may not know that most

pumps are too big and use more energy than you need to keep the water sparkling

clean.

The culprit: a single-speed pump. A small pump is probably fine if all you want to do is

circulate the water, but it might not have enough speed to run your pool cleaner,

waterfall or other electrical extras that need a blast of energy.

If that's the case, your pool service probably installed a pump large enough to handle

the extras. But with only one speed, it's running full-blast even when your pool cleaner

and waterfall aren't operating.

That huge waste of energy is costing you about 80 percent more in electric bills.

Don't let the high cost of running your pool outpace its value as your family's go-to place

for fun, relaxation and keeping cool. Making your pool more energy-efficient will save

hundreds of dollars a year. Here are a few tips.

• Replace your single-speed pump with a variable-speed unit. High-performance models

from such manufacturers as Pentair Water Pool and Spa let you run them on low most

of the time. You can crank them up bit by bit when you need to run accessories.

The manufacturers claim the pumps can cut energy use by up to 90 percent compared

with single-speed pumps. Frank Bowman, owner of Splash Pools in Raleigh, North

Carolina, says his customers who have switched report saving $300 or more a year on

their electric bills.

A variable-speed pump costs more than twice a single-speed model, but you'll recoup

the cost in lower electric bills within two years, he estimates. Plus, he says, the pumps

are quieter and last longer than older pumps.

As an alternative, two-speed pumps cost less than variable-speed models. And

although they're not as efficient as variable-speed pumps, they use far less energy than

the single-speed unit.• Run your pool pump less often. Most manufacturers recommend

running it between eight and 10 hours a day in the summer and about half that in the

winter.

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

paying off-peak rates.

• Switch to LED lighting, which uses up to 75 percent less energy than traditional

incandescent underwater lights, and lasts for years.

• Keep your chemicals in balance. If you don't, your filter can run non-stop and the water

will never sparkle.

• Clean trap baskets, filters, and pool walls and floor regularly. Clogging can prevent the

water from flowing freely. The harder the pump has to work, the more you'll pay to run it.

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

Splash Pools - Raleigh Saltwater Swimming Pools

Saltwater Swimming Pools

Did you know that if you already have a conventional chlorine swimming pool, it can be switched over to a state of the art saltwater pool in no time at all? It's true saltwater pools can save the average homeowner hundreds of dollars per year on chemical costs as well as provide your friends and family an enjoyable swimming experience. No more chlorine smelling hair, itchy skin, forgetting to fill the chlorinator, trips to the store to pick up chlorine orforgetting and having the pool turn green...it all can be replaced with a saline based pool water that generates its own chlorine for you. The salt level is kept extremely low...only about 2800 - 3300 parts per million. Some people say they can taste, some people say they can't. But I think it's that you expect to taste chlorine and you don't, so you assume you are tasting salt. Either way talk to someone that has a saltwater pool and they will let you know that it is the only way to go for ease of maintenance and enjoyment.

Submitted By: Splash Pools Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina serves all of North Carolina, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Cary, Lake Gaston, . We specialize in the installation of Viking Fiberglass Swimming Pools, Vinyl Liner and Concrete Swimming Pool Installations and Renovations including Tile and Coping, Natural Stone and Paver Decking, Pool Resurfacing with Pebble Tec outdoor fireplaces & kitchens, landscaping and more. Visit Splash Fiberglass Pools of North Carolina at www.SplashPoolsNC.com or Contact us at Info@SplashPoolsNC.com or (919) 291-8354

Best Winter Swimming Pool Safety Cover - What's the Difference?

Splash Pools provides Fiberglass Swimming Pools in North Carolina and will explain about Swimming Pool Safety Covers.

As the leaves begin to change colors and we embrace Fall, many pool owners begin to consider a safety cover for their pool. Here are a few tips to assist you in making the most informed decision. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (919) 291-8354.

1. What's the difference between a regular swimming pool cover and a swimming pool safety cover?

A typical solid vinyl pool cover is little more than a tarp to put over your swimming pool. It does not prevent children or pets from gaining access to the pool. All safety covers must conform to the Standard Performance Specification set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). According to the ASTM, a safety cover must be able to support a certain amount of weight, not permit gaps that a child or pet could squeeze through, and remove standing water. A pool cover can not include the word "Safety" unless it meets these standards.

2. Why is a U.L. (underwriters laboratories) approval important?

(By the way, we resurfaced the U.L. test pool in 2008)

Underwriters Laboratories (known as U.L.) is an outside testing company. Many cover company's claim that they meet the ASTM standard F1346-91 for manual safety covers, but have not followed up with outside testing agencies that perform all of the actual tests listed in the ASTM guideline. At at Splash Pools we only install covers that not only meet but also exceed the guidelines set forth for safety swimming pool covers! For example, we only install covers that use double perimeter webbing and double-thick straps, extremely high-strength 302 grade stainless steel springs, and polyester bonded thread that costs almost 10 times more than the thread used by some of our competitors.

3. Can my children walk and play on the safety cover?

All Splash Pools covers meet the ASTM guidelines for safety covers and have been U.L. certified. As such they will easily support the weight of a child or an adult in an emergency. However, we do not recommend walking on the cover, and children and pets should never be allowed to play on top of a safety or any other type of pool cover. Adult supervision is always required around any swimming pool area.

4. Should I get a mesh or a solid safety cover?

Both the mesh Safety Swimming Pool Cover and our solid Safety Swimming Pool Cover provide superior protection for your family. Mesh covers do have one safety advantage: they do not permit water to collect. In order to meet safety cover performance standards, solid covers must provide for the elimination of standing water. Our solid safety cover is available in two versions: one with "invisible" mesh panels that allow water to drain through, and an all-solid version that is always sold with an automatic cover pump. The pump must be used at all times in order to maintain the safety of the cover. Ultimately, though, the choice between a mesh or solid cover is up to the preference of the user.

5. Why does the water have to be removed from the cover in order for it to be considered "safe"?

Collected water on a cover is a hazard in itself. There have unfortunately been cases of children and pets who have wandered out on a cover filled with water and slippery debris, become trapped and drowned. That is why the ASTM Performance Specification states that no pool cover can call itself a safety cover if it does not provide for water removal.

6. What type of warranty do your covers come with?

Currently our mesh and solid safety covers come with a 12-year pro-rated manufacturer's warranty. When completed and signed by the original purchaser, this warrants that the cover is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use.

7. Should I drain my pool before putting on my swimming pool safety cover?

No! It is very important to maintain proper water level to help support the weight of the cover and prevent excess wear. For mesh covers, water level should be 15" to 18" below the top of the pool. For solid covers, water level should be 12" to 16" below the top of the pool. If proper water level is not maintained, the warranty can be void.

8. I have a custom-designed pool that's irregularly shaped. Can I get a LOOP-LOC safety cover that will fit it?
Absolutely! Splash Pools will first come out and carefully measure your pool. Then, the manufacturer will use their exclusive computerized design system to translate those measurements into a cover that will perfectly conform to the shape and features of your pool.

9. How long will it take to get a custom cover?
From the time Splash Pools submits your order to the manufacturer it will take approximately 2-3 weeks including fabrication until the cover is completely installed on your pool.

10. I always supervise my children when they are around our pool. Why do I need a safety cover?
A swimming pool is always a magnet for children. At times when you are not around to supervise or your family is away from home, wandering children and pets from the neighborhood may attempt to enter your pool. Even if you have a locked gate (which is a great extra layer of protection), a determined toddler will often be able breach it. Only the security of a safety cover can ensure that no one will be able to gain access to the pool while you are away.

11. How can I keep my pool water clear over the winter months?

All pools, when covered (no matter what type of cover you have), require winter chemical treatment to keep the water clear. When closing your pool in the fall, we recommend use of a winterizing chemical kit, which includes winterizing algaecide.

12. If we have a paver/brick deck can we use a Swimming Pool Safety Cover?

Absolutely! Splash Pools anchor-in-pipe installation is the perfect application for paver/brick decks. The pipe holds the anchors firmly into place allowing the cover the remain taut all winter long. No wear and tear on the deck, will not pull or ruin pavers/bricks whatsoever.

Submitted by: Splash Pools

Frank is one of the Founders of Splash Pool of North Carolina. Splash Pools specializes is Viking Fiberglass Swimming Pools and installs them in Ralaigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Frank has been recognized as a subject matter expert by the APSP and has been retained to speak at various events including the International Pool and Spa Expo, Coverings, NCHBA, World of Concrete, Watershapes and various other local events.