Why Rhino-Roc Construction?

We began installing fiberglass pools in 2001 and did it according to industry standards. In fact, we received formal training from the manufacturer we carried at the time and followed their instructions perfectly. However, over time we began experiencing problems with these projects.

To our credit, we always returned to fix the issues and every customer remained on our extensive reference list, but it came at a great cost of resources. After several years of costly repairs, we finally took a step back and began to question everything.

We determined that there had to be a better way to install fiberglass pools. We began to look at the root cause of the problems and worked to develop a solution for each one. Once we put these solutions into practice, the problems vanished virtually overnight.

Because of the tremendous success these solutions brought about, we decided in 2011 that this methodology deserved its own name, and that was the genesis of Rhino-Roc Construction.

Since that time, we've dedicated ourselves to teaching consumers and pool builders alike what we've discovered. Over the years, we've had the opportunity to teach fiberglass installation classes, based on Rhino-Roc principles, to hundreds of pool professionals at national and international pool and spa events across the country.

Some of the problems we encountered were:

Settlement or shifting of the pool shell
Leaks in plumbing lines and around jets and other pool fittings
Separation between the pool and patio
Bulges in the side walls of the pool

For example, this image shows a pool that has settled, causing the concrete to crack and separate from the pool shell.

We've found that the real challenge with inground pool related problems is that they are all connected. In other words, one issue will typically lead to another. For example, settlement around the pool can lead to a leak, then the infiltration of water can lead to additional shifting and movement, resulting in an unfortunate chain reaction that if never remedied, never ends.

The fundamental philosophy of Rhino-Roc is to understand and prevent the root cause of these problems. This equates to a trouble free pool for you, and a delighted customer for us. This is the benefit of Rhino-Roc and why we feel it's worth the effort.

1. Our “Rhino-Rod” That Fuses the Pool Shell and Patio Together

One area of concern is where the pool shell and patio join. We developed our Rhino-Rod to serve as a means to fuse the pool shell and patio together to prevent shifting, settlement, or movement of any kind that could result in structural failure (like shown in the image above). The Rhino-Rod is a twelve inch long composite rod that we install into the top of the pool shell that becomes encased in the concrete bond beam that is poured around the perimeter of the pool. Watch the following video to better understand how Rhino-Rods work.

2. Plumbing Straps That Secure Plumbing To Pool Shell

One of the major causes of pool plumbing leaks is movement. When pipes shift, this sets in motion a chain reaction that puts undue stress on the pipe, plumbing connections, and the components of the pool the plumbing is attached to such as return jets, skimmers, drains, etc. In Rhino-Roc Construction, we secure the plumbing by fastening the pipes to the pool shell using a strap system that ensures there is no stress placed on any component of the plumbing system.

3. All Schedule 40 PVC Hard Pipe

When installing a pool, there are basically two types of plumbing pipe to choose from: hard pipe or flexible pipe. In Rhino-Roc Construction, only hard pipe is used. Because it does not flex and bend with the contours of the pool, it does require more effort to install, but because flexible pipe is actually not rated for underground use, we don’t feel it’s worth the risk.

4. Crushed/Chipped Stone Backfill Material

What is backfill material? It is simply the material that we place under the pool and around the outside of the pool shell after it is set in the excavated hole. The use of clean, crushed stone backfill is imperative to the long term success of a fiberglass pool installation. Sand, which is the traditional material used in the industry, works well in areas with pure sandy soils, but it doesn’t take a soil specialist to understand what happens to sand when it becomes saturated with water: it liquifies. Consequently, our experience has been that there is a much higher percentage of fiberglass pool installation issues when using sand as a backfill material such as:

Settlement of the Pool Shell after installation
Leaks developing from pressure on plumbing as a result of sand settlement
Bulges in the side walls of the pool shell

These are challenges we faced and fixed early on, but they virtually went away overnight the moment we stopped using sand and began using clean, crushed stone as our backfill material. It drains better, it doesn’t move, and doesn’t change its properties when wet.

5. Plumbing Encased In Stone To Prevent Plumbing Settlement

Unlike sand, the right stone backfill will not move or settle. This creates a condition for long term plumbing success.

6. 12” Thick Concrete Bond Beam Around Perimeter Of Pool

All inground fiberglass pools require some concrete to be poured around their perimeter to stabilize the pool shell. With Rhino-Roc Construction, this concrete bond beam is poured extra thick and flows under the lip of the fiberglass pool shell and encases the Rhino-Rod. As this concrete “bites” around the Rhino-Rod and the lip of the pool, it “locks” everything into place, ensuring the pool and patio will be structurally secure for many, many years.

7. Sump Pipe For Monitoring/Removing Ground Water

Eventually, all fiberglass pools will need to be drained. There needs to be a means to inspect and remove any groundwater that is present around the outside of the pool shell to prevent damage from occurring. Because we are thinking long term, our Rhino-Roc Construction includes a “sump pipe” that gives one the ability to do just that.

The Continual Evolution of Rhino-Roc

Because of our efforts to continually innovate new and better installation practices, and because of our desire to share what we’ve learned with the world, we have become recognized as thought leaders in the industry. We have been listed as one of the Top 50 Pool Builders in America, we teach fiberglass pool installation classes at Industry Trade Shows on the National and Regional levels, and millions of folks just like you read and watch our fiberglass pool installation articles and videos on our website to deepen their understanding of the process.

Next, check out How Fiberglass Pools Are Installed to learn about the process from excavation through completion.

Learn How We Install Fiberglass Pools Using Rhino-Roc Construction.

Why Rhino-Roc Construction?

What types of problems does Rhino-Roc solve?

Some of the problems we encountered were:

What are the components of Rhino-Roc Construction?

1. Our “Rhino-Rod” That Fuses the Pool Shell and Patio Together

2. Plumbing Straps That Secure Plumbing To Pool Shell

3. All Schedule 40 PVC Hard Pipe

Related Content:

4. Crushed/Chipped Stone Backfill Material

Related Content:

5. Plumbing Encased In Stone To Prevent Plumbing Settlement

6. 12” Thick Concrete Bond Beam Around Perimeter Of Pool

7. Sump Pipe For Monitoring/Removing Ground Water

The Continual Evolution of Rhino-Roc

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