What exactly happens at Pool School? Tara Vassallo Soto and Kaylee from Rising Sun Pools talk about the annual event designed to help pool owners better understand their pools and prepare for the changing seasons.

They break down what Pool School covers, including pool chemistry, equipment winterization, spa care, and what homeowners need to know when closing or keeping their pools open. They also discuss why real world pool experience can be difficult for AI to replicate, especially when every pool has different equipment, water conditions, weather, and usage.

The conversation also covers the effects of drought and extreme heat on pool water levels, evaporation, algae growth, and chemical balance. Kaylee shares several ways homeowners can reduce evaporation and keep their pools running efficiently.

Pool School is more than just a class. It gives customers a chance to ask questions, learn from experienced pool professionals, and share solutions with other pool owners who may have dealt with similar problems.

00:00 What is Pool School?

01:00 What Pool School teaches

02:00 Pool closing and equipment

03:00 Food, drinks, and the Pool School experience

04:00 The different Pool School classes

05:00 Winterizing pool equipment

06:00 Spa care and maintenance

07:00 Why AI cannot replace pool expertise

08:00 A real example of AI giving the wrong answer

10:00 Why every pool is different

11:00 The value of experienced pool professionals

12:00 Learning from other pool owners

13:00 How drought and heat affect pools

14:00 Evaporation and algae growth

15:00 Ways to reduce evaporation

16:00 Water features and water conservation

17:00 Pool School details and registration

How much does it really cost to install an in-ground pool? The answer goes well beyond the price of the pool itself.

In this episode of Backyard Times by Rising Sun Pools, Tara sits down with in-ground pool coordinator Kevin Milan to break down the real-world costs of vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete pools—including many of the expenses homeowners don’t initially think about.

They discuss starting budgets for each type of pool, electrical work, decking, fencing, general contractor costs, permits, equipment, backyard access, impervious-surface restrictions, automatic pool covers, and premium finishes like travertine.

You’ll also learn how a $65,000 budget differs from a $100,000 pool project, why the same budget can buy either a basic concrete pool or a highly upgraded vinyl or fiberglass pool, and how features and finishes can dramatically change the final price.

Plus, Kevin explains why fall and winter can be the best time to contract and build a pool—potentially getting ahead of annual price increases while having your backyard ready when swimming season arrives.

If you’re budgeting for an in-ground pool, this episode will give you a much better idea of what to expect before requesting quotes.

00:00 The Real Cost of an In-Ground Pool
00:39 What Can You Get With a $65,000 Budget?
01:36 Starting Cost of a Vinyl Pool
01:59 Does Pool Size or Shape Affect the Price?
03:08 The Costs Beyond the Pool Itself
03:25 Electrical, Decking and Other Required Costs
03:54 Impervious Surface Restrictions Explained
05:10 Building a Pool on a $65K Budget
05:33 What Does a Pool General Contractor Handle?
06:20 Can You Save Money Managing Contractors Yourself?
06:43 Typical Electrical and Decking Costs
07:51 What’s Included With the Pool?
09:16 How Much More Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost?
10:03 Starting Cost of a Concrete Pool
10:35 How Decking Choices Affect Your Budget
12:08 How Much Does Travertine Cost?
13:10 What Can a $100,000 Pool Budget Buy?
13:39 Why a Survey or Plot Plan Helps
14:25 Setting a Realistic Pool Budget
15:08 Pool Budget vs. Home Value
15:55 How Pool Cost Relates to Construction Time
16:39 Don’t Forget the Cost of Fencing
17:04 How Much Does an Automatic Pool Cover Cost?
17:49 A $500,000+ Backyard Pool Project
19:07 How Pool Prices Have Changed
19:30 Why Modern Pools Cost More
21:06 Is There a Best Time of Year to Buy a Pool?
21:40 Why Fall and Winter Can Save You Money
22:37 Build Now and Be Ready for Swimming Season

#BackyardTimes #RisingSunPools #PoolCost #IngroundPool #SwimmingPool #PoolBuilder #VinylPool #FiberglassPool #ConcretePool #PoolDesign #BackyardDesign #OutdoorLiving

In this episode of Backyard Times by Rising Sun Pools, Tara sits down with in-ground pool coordinator Kevin Milan to break down the real differences between the three major types of in-ground swimming pools.

They compare cost, customization, maintenance, durability, warranties, installation, diving options, and long-term ownership to help homeowners understand which pool makes the most sense for their backyard and lifestyle.

You’ll learn why vinyl pools offer tremendous flexibility at a lower initial cost, why fiberglass can be one of the easiest options to maintain, and why concrete offers nearly unlimited customization. They also discuss liner replacement, resurfacing costs, pool finishes, equipment warranties, backyard access—and even what happens when a horse gets into your pool.

Whether you’re just beginning your research or getting ready to choose a pool, this episode will help you understand the tradeoffs before you invest.

Subscribe to Backyard Times for more expert advice on pools, spas, maintenance, renovations, and creating a better backyard.

00:00 Which In-Ground Pool Is Right for You?
00:23 How to Choose the Right Type of Pool
01:31 How Vinyl Pools Are Built
01:54 Customizing a Vinyl Pool
02:19 What You Need for a Diving Pool
03:33 Can Fiberglass Pools Have Diving Boards?
04:00 How Fiberglass Pools Are Installed
05:11 When You Need a Crane for Pool Installation
05:51 Why Concrete Offers the Most Customization
07:00 How Long Does a Vinyl Liner Last?
07:32 Comparing Long-Term Pool Costs
08:16 How Long Can an In-Ground Pool Last?
10:00 Pool Warranties Explained
11:09 Equipment Options for All Three Pool Types
11:33 Why In-House Pool Service Matters
12:37 Vinyl Pool Pros and Cons
14:10 Can Dogs Damage a Vinyl Pool Liner?
14:30 What Happens When a Horse Gets in Your Pool?
15:17 Fiberglass Pool Pros and Cons
16:56 The Biggest Limitation of Fiberglass Pools
17:15 Which Pool Requires the Least Maintenance?
17:40 Concrete Pool Finishes Explained
19:29 Concrete Pool Pros and Cons
19:50 How Much Does Concrete Pool Resurfacing Cost?
20:15 How Maintenance Affects Pool Lifespan
21:18 Which Pool Should You Choose?

#BackyardTimes #RisingSunPools #IngroundPool #SwimmingPool #PoolDesign #VinylPool #FiberglassPool #ConcretePool #PoolBuilder #PoolMaintenance #BackyardDesign #OutdoorLiving