Pool News
Pool Supply Shortages Are Real
Ongoing shortages continue to beleaguer the pool construction and pool service industry
![Pool Supply Shortages continue to hurt the pool industry. Valves, pipe fittings, PVC pipe are in short supply these days.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pool-supply-shortages.jpg)
Pool supply shortages continue to create real problems for the industry as we move further along into the 2021 pool season. One unexpected side effect to the Covid-19 pandemic last year was a renewed interest in swimming pools. For the first time ever, the pool industry has had less competition for discretionary dollars than any time in it’s history.
The Pool Industry Grew 24% in 2020
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance said the industry grew by 24% last year. That kind of growth however, has not come without some noticeable consequences that are beginning to affect the industry in a number of ways.
While popularity for swimming pools has dramatically increased, manufacturing and production has had trouble keeping up with demand. A widening gap between available labor to build swimming pools has created delays in production. The pool construction and pool service industries also continue to struggle with rising costs for essential materials such as PVC pipe, valves, tile, heaters, concrete, the list goes on and on.
![Jandy Valves getting are to come by say contractors](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jandy-valve.jpg)
Every conceivable component or sector that is involved in the construction, manufacturing, or installation of inground pools has been impacted this year to some degree. Some companies are beginning to notice the impact faster than others. Already large volume builders have begun to find themselves in serious hot water as they seem to be directly effected the most by shortages in labor and materials.
Widening Gap in Labor Force & Manufacturing
The disparity in available bodies to build and service pools is creating a widening gap. The bubble only continues to grow as Americans still find themselves largely still under home quarantine. Despite assertions from the White House that we’d all be vaccinated by May 1st, a large portion of the country still remains unvaccinated. Travel has not yet begun to resume to it’s normal pace. Currently only 32.8% of the population is fully vaccinated. This certainly means that as we rapidly approach the height of the summer months that we can expect a repeat of 2020 in terms of demand.
Coping With Pool Shortages & Price Increases in 2021
How does this bode for pool companies who already have signed contracts with customers based on estimated prices and deadlines? Many builders and service companies we’ve spoken to stated the situation is creating increasing stress on customer relationships. They are concerned that ongoing delays and scarcity can lead to more and more angry customers.
Experts predict with the rising costs on materials and equipment, the average price of a swimming pool will continue to increase from last year. Pool service companies are also impacted. With the rising cost of chlorine tablets and other essential components, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find able bodies to build and service pools.
![A 50lb bucket of Chlorine Tablets now costs $40 more than it it did only 6 months ago.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/chlorine-prices.gif)
The Perspective In The Trenches
We spoke with Stephen Little, CEO of Claro Pool in Palm Desert. Little runs a large pool service company which maintains and services roughly 10,000 pools a month. He is also a contractor on the front lines of the issue that has experienced shortages first-hand. From his viewpoint the delays in manufacturing are a large part of the problem. “Manufacturers have shut down due to shelter in place orders.” said Little “They aren’t producing, when they are producing, they’re short labor. With the shelter in place orders folks are required to stay at home.”
Little suggested that recent changes in legislature may also be contributing to the lack of available labor. “The last 12-15 months it’s become so tough to get the products we are accustomed to getting easily.” said Little. “I’m used to placing an order with distribution and getting it within 60 minutes. That is not the case anymore. We have to be much more strategic when we place an order.”
PVC Shortage Looms On The Horizon
Rising costs of PVC are also creating a serious problem. Last years Hurricane impacted production for Petrochemical plants in Texas and Louisiana. The ramifications of that shut down are coming to light this pool season. “PVC has been a problem.” said Little “We’ve seen price increases across the board in fittings, filters and pumps and anything made of PVC.”
Shock & Awe at Soaring Prices
“It has been shock and awe” continued Little “because we’ve had double and triple digit increases in the products and pieces we buy. From labor, to PVC, to dry chlorine products, to parts and equipment.”
Although prices are increasing, swimming pools still need to be properly maintained. Regardless of how chlorine prices may fluctuate this season, experts say – not adhering to proper maintenance guidelines can create a serious health hazard.
![A 35lb bucket of tabs is going for $250 in New Jersey on Facebook Marketplace](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/price-gouging.jpg)
The reality is pool service companies are struggling to honor pricing commitments to customers with the increases they’ve seen from distributors. As costs for chemicals continue to rise, Little suggested that now is not the time for consumers to start being penny wise and dollar foolish when it comes to proper maintenance
“Think about the absolute catastrophe if people stop maintaining their pools” said Little “Let’s throw 8 or 10 million pools with algae into the mix and you will have a nuclear pandemic.”
Using Tried & True Alternative Products
Little who holds a masters degree in organic chemistry, says his company has not been impacted as hard by the recent chlorine tablet shortage as the rest of the country. He suggested that pool service companies begin switching to liquid chlorine.
Borates which decrease the amount of chlorine needed are also part of his regimen. “Hydrogen borate is part of our value proposition when servicing pools. It reduces chlorine demand,” said Little “when you buffer alkalinity and you keep the pH stable, we can keep healthier pools with less chlorine consumption.”
Labor Force Can Make More Staying Home
One of the major catalysts for rising prices has undeniably been a shortage of available skilled labor. The Covid-19 relief bill may have had one major unexpected side effect. Much of the skilled labor pool is still at home this pool season.
Little indicated that a large percentage of the workers that build, service and maintains pools would simply rather collect unemployment right now. “It is possible to protect your employees and your clients in the workplace.” said Little “When an employee can make $25 an hour to stay home in perpetuity or can go to work and make $20 bucks an hour, they won’t even come in for an application.“
It it a hot button topic for many in the pool industry. Pool company owners say that while demand has skyrocketed, the available pool of skilled labor has not kept up. This disparity seems to have created the perfect conditions for rising prices and the shortages the pool industry is now facing.
Shortages Seem Real Enough To Those On The Front Lines
Steve Goodale, also known as Swimming Pool Steve, is one of the most popular bloggers in the pool industry. We asked him to weigh in on the issue when we contacted him Saturday afternoon about the shortages. “In my 30 years in the pool industry I have never seen the supply chain so dried up at this time of year. No pipe available, no valves, pumps and heaters in very short supply” Goodale continued “I definitely believe that chlorine is going to run short this year, along with a great many other things.”
![PVC SHORTAGE: Experts say PVC Pipe is the next major shortage looming on the horizon for the pool industry.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pvc-shortage.jpg)
Goodale explained some of the issues he felt were the underlying precursor to the shortages. “There has been unprecedented activity and interest from home owners in their pools. Record numbers of pools being used, built, fixed… and the supply chains have all been hobbled by Covid for over a year now.”
Comparing This Year’s Shortages To Last Year’s Toilet Paper
Many in the industry have drawn an analogy between the announcements of this year’s shortages and last year’s toilet paper craze. Goodale replied “I definitely do not want to be an alarmist and cause a shortage where there is none, but in my experience this is going to be a very hard year for pool owners and pool industry workers alike.”
![Walmart is flat out telling consumers there is a Chlorine shortage and is limiting the quantity that shoppers can purchase.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/walmart-1.jpg)
All over America, supplies are skyrocketing in cost and retailers are explaining it’s because of dwindling supplies, yet the industry itself is sending out mixed messages. Some manufacturers say that there is no shortage and some say there is. Stuck in the middle are consumers who don’t know what to make of the situation. All they know is a bucket of tabs costs substantially much more than it did last year and are in limited supply when they can find them. Most consumers aren’t even aware of the issues with PVC and other supplies yet because Chlorine shortages are currently monopolizing the media’s attention.
![The industry can't seem to make up their mind if there is a Trichlor tab shortage or there isn't one.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/poolcorp-saying-there-is-noshortage-1024x1012.jpg)
![Hayward says there IS a Trichlor Shortage, Poolcorp says there isn't one.](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/hayward-chlorine-shortage.jpg)
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/no-chlorine-shortage-1024x547.jpg)
We reached out to pool companies on social media and asked what kind of shortages they are experiencing. They weren’t shy about sounding off:
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/lauren-broom-spacecoast.jpg)
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/pentair-shortages-1024x178.jpg)
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shortages-1024x248.jpg)
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jandy-valves.jpg)
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/liner-shortage-1024x248.jpg)
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/everything.jpg)
![](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/image.png)
One Reddit user ‘just_tryin_2_make_it‘ said “We have a shortage of pipe fittings down in Texas. People are hoarding and creating a shortage for profit due to the disaster and those in need are without.”
As the pool season progresses, one thing is certain – a lack of available manpower and supplies are real problems that pool service and pool construction firms alike both have to contend with this summer. Listen to our entire interview with Stephen Little, CEO of Claro Pool on the Pool Magazine podcast.
Featured Photo Credit: Alan Smith Pools
Pool News
French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool
![French Diver Makes Splash After Flop At Opening of Olympic Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/french-diver-flops-at-olympics-pool.jpg)
French Olympic diver, Alexis Jandard, created a memorable moment at the grand opening of Paris’s new Olympic pool, though not quite in the manner he had envisioned.
A startling video captured during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Paris Aquatics Center on Thursday showcased the 26-year-old Olympian’s unfortunate landing on his right foot while gearing up to dive alongside two fellow athletes. Adorned in a Speedo reflecting the hues of the French flag, Jandard’s discomforting descent saw him landing on his back, ricocheting off the nearly 10-foot-high dive board, and somersaulting into the pool in a rather ungraceful manner.
The incident unfolded in front of a sizable crowd of onlookers, including French President Emmanuel Macron and various dignitaries. Jandard later displayed his scraped back on his Instagram account, maintaining a light-hearted approach to his embarrassing mishap by quipping, “For your information, my back is fine, but my ego…”
Sharing a photo of his reddened back, courtesy of the encounter with the diving board, on Instagram Stories, Jandard assured followers of his well-being. Speaking to RMC Sport, he recounted the unexpected turn of events, stating, “I’m fine. I didn’t hurt myself; unfortunately, these things happen. It happened at a time when I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
![Alexis Jandard injured his back at the inauguration of the new Olympic Pool in Paris. Photo Credit: @alexis_jandard - Instagram](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/alexis-jandard-back-1024x576.jpg)
Reflecting on the incident, Jandard humorously noted, “I’ve broken boards before, but the board had never broken me before. Now it has.” Despite the hiccup, he maintained an optimistic outlook, remarking, “I would have preferred this ceremony to have gone well from A to Z. There was that little hitch. If it made people smile a little, so much the better.”
Explaining the mishap, Jandard clarified that his leg gave way upon landing but denied any slippage, emphasizing, “It’s a non-slip [board], and what’s more, the board was new, beautiful, and I think there’s still [some of] my back on the board there.”
With a silver and bronze under his belt at the 2022 and 2023 World Aquatics Championships, respectively, Jandard took the incident in stride, admitting, “It’s a shame, but it’s funny. When you take a step back, it’s funny.”
Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Games this summer, where he is set to compete, Jandard acknowledged the inevitability of such occurrences in his sport, jesting, “These things happen,” while playfully lamenting, “It had to happen in front of the president and the whole of France. I think we chose the right moment.”
Despite being inundated with supportive messages and playful jabs, Jandard maintained a good-natured stance, urging his followers on Instagram, “Enjoy yourselves, make fun of me. I seriously deserve it!”
Pool News
Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool
A massive earthquake in Taiwan transforms a rooftop pool into a waterfall. View viral footage.
![Earthquake in Taiwan Causes Waterfall From Rooftop Pool](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/taiwan-earthquake-pool.jpg)
In a harrowing turn of events, Taiwan was struck by a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake, leaving devastation in its wake. The quake, the strongest to hit the island in 25 years, shook the east coast of Taiwan, particularly affecting the city of Hualien and its surrounding areas. With a depth of 34.8 kilometers, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 18 kilometers south of Hualien, according to the US Geological Survey.
As rescue efforts are underway to free those trapped under rubble and debris, the toll of the disaster continues to rise. At least nine individuals have lost their lives, while over 900 others have sustained injuries. The aftermath of the earthquake has left over 100 buildings damaged, with reports of landslides and collapsed structures adding to the chaos.
The force of the quake was so immense that it caused a surreal sight—a rooftop swimming pool overflowing and cascading down the side of a building, creating an impromptu waterfall. Footage captured during the earthquake also shows the sheer force as a man inside a pool struggles to maintain balance, the water swaying violently from side to side.
The region of Hualien County, with a population of approximately 300,000, faces immense challenges in assessing the full extent of the damage. Many inhabitants reside in remote coastal or mountain communities, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach them promptly. The precarious situation is exacerbated by the expectation of aftershocks, with 29 aftershocks greater than a magnitude of 4.0 already recorded near the epicenter.
Compounding the crisis are reports of miners trapped in two mines in Hualien, adding urgency to the rescue operations. Furthermore, over 91,000 households are grappling with power cuts, amplifying the difficulties faced by residents in the aftermath of the disaster.
Despite the widespread destruction, medical facilities in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei City, are functioning, albeit damaged. The Municipal Government has confirmed that hospitals are operating normally, providing critical care to the injured.
The international community has responded swiftly to the catastrophe, with the Biden administration monitoring the situation closely and expressing readiness to offer assistance. In the face of adversity, Taiwan is rallying its resources and resilience, demonstrating solidarity and resolve in confronting this natural disaster.
As the dust settles and the extent of the damage becomes clearer, questions arise about the effectiveness of early warning detection systems in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. Despite Taiwan’s investment in advanced seismic technology, including early warning systems designed to provide crucial seconds of alert before an earthquake strikes, many residents were caught off guard by the sudden and violent tremors. Reports indicate that the early warning detection system, while operational, did not reach a significant portion of the population in time to take preventive action
Pool News
Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings
![Patent Pending Apple Watch SOS Feature Could Prevent Drownings](https://www.poolmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/apple-watch-sos-drowning-prevention.jpg)
A forthcoming feature potentially destined for the Apple Watch, as detailed in a recent patent application, could serve as a lifesaver for swimmers at risk of drowning.
Outlined in the patent is a capability for the Watch to identify “irregular behavior” and automatically trigger a distress call for assistance.
Apple underscores the alarming statistics surrounding drowning, particularly its prevalence among children, as a leading cause of accidental fatalities.
In the United States alone, drowning claims the lives of over 3,500 individuals annually, ranking as the fifth most common form of accidental death. Tragically, a significant portion of these victims are children.
Emphasizing the critical importance of swift intervention during water emergencies, Apple highlights the dire consequences of prolonged submersion without resuscitation, which can result in brain damage and ultimately, drowning.
A Growing Need For Cost-Effective Wearable Solutions
While acknowledging existing underwater camera systems in some swimming pools aimed at detecting distressed swimmers and alerting lifeguards, Apple notes their costliness and unreliability.
Consequently, there’s a pressing need for a simpler, more cost-effective drowning prevention solution suitable for all types of water bodies, including public and private pools, as well as natural settings like lakes and ponds where installing underwater cameras is impractical.
The patent proposes leveraging wearable devices such as the Apple Watch for broader applicability, increased reliability, and the ability to detect various types of emergencies.
Alerting When Swimmers Are In Distress
For instance, if the Watch detects a wearer who is not proficient in swimming entering deeper water, it can promptly dispatch an alert instead of waiting for signs of distress.
These alerts can be transmitted to nearby devices, including those of friends and family, and seamlessly integrate with existing drowning detection and alarm systems to ensure lifeguards are promptly notified.
Apple Watches already boast capabilities to detect and respond to falls, vehicle accidents, and cardiac irregularities. Heartwarming testimonials featured in Apple’s “Dear Apple” video series show individuals whose lives were saved by these functionalities.
As with many patents from Apple, it’s important to note that not all concepts may materialize into actual products. Nonetheless, this innovation stands as a promising addition for potential integration into future watchOS updates.
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