As we move toward something resembling normality, we are honored to share a few of the many stories of people in the pool industry who are still rebuilding the lives they almost lost, or coping with the absence of loved ones that they did lose.
For pool pros, the pandemic has had a surprising twist: A major uptick in business. “This has been one of the best years we’ve ever had. It’s been pretty crazy,” says Justin Lex, operations manager at Swimming Pool Services, Inc., a Wisconsin-based company. “Everyone is stuck at home and trying to build a pool or…
It’s been a year of in-person intentions and shifting realities. While the nation continues to work toward flattening the curve, the expos pool pros enjoy have become virtual events, namely The Pool & Spa Show hosted by NESPA and the National Plasterers Council’s annual conference. The Pool & Spa Show Hosted by the Northeast Pool…
The August fire at the BioLab plant in Westlake, Louisiana, did not cause the current chlorine shortage in the industry, but it certainly contributed to it. Since the beginning of the pandemic and subsequent shutdown, the pool industry has been grappling with shortages of all kinds, including building materials, supplies and labor. With many consumers…
What a difference a year makes. This time last year, I had a weeks-old baby and never would have imagined sending my kindergartener to school wearing a mask. I’ll admit that I don’t love change. I like plans and stability. A year as unpredictable as 2020 was not easy for me to navigate. But what…
In this time of great uncertainty, swimming pools are in high demand. The closure of many public pools, the disruption of vacation plans and people spending more time at home have meant pool builders are swamped with orders. Before the current health crisis, a good day of sales leads at Bi-State Pool & Spa in…
Countless Commercial pools have been left reeling from the pandemic. Many public and hotel facilities have been shut down for months. Some have reopened at limited capacity and with heightened restrictions, but a number of them remain shuttered. With the effects of these closures trickling down through the industry, pool pros have been forced to…
The home improvement sector is slaying it. The pandemic has resulted in many people having more disposable income, and more time at home means the Honey Do list grows. Travel budgets have been reallocated to home renovations. I reached out to a few in the industry for an hour-long video chat in September: Jerry Wallace…
The Pool Scouts franchise, which offers pool service exclusively, spans eight states: Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Tennessee. Fortunately, state mandates restricting businesses during the coronavirus pandemic have deemed pool service essential in all states the company serves. “In this kind of [social distancing] environment, you want to make sure…
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is up to date at the time of publishing, but circumstances are changing rapidly. Check with local governments, municipalities and the PHTA website for the most current information. Access the PHTA Coronavirus Toolkit. Households nationwide have settled into routines of confinement to four walls, working from home, crisis…
Liquid chlorine has been around for a long time and is widely used in commercial and residential swimming pools. Technically speaking, the liquid chlorine used for pools is a chlorinating compound known as sodium hypochlorite. It is not pure liquid chlorine, but comprises liquid chlorine, water and sodium hydroxide. It may also be referred to…
It is certainly a difficult time for our community and the entire world right now, as we work to navigate the unknowns of this global pandemic and its profound impact. In most cases, pool service professionals are considered essential right now, as stagnant bodies of water can be disastrous. Tens of thousands of pools left…