The Trichlor Shortage
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The Trichlor Shortage

Chris CavanaughOwner Cavanaugh PoolOwensboro and Madisonville, Kentucky The 2021 trichlor shortage is on every retailer’s mind. [In 2020] between both of my retail stores, we sold roughly 25,000 pounds of 3-inch tablets. My manufacturer is promising 100% of what I purchased in 2020 to be available to me for 2021. I typically buy 75% of…

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Help Wanted

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…

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Virtual Expos

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…

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Welcome, 2021

For many, we’ve never looked forward to a new year as much as 2021. The problems of 2020 did not magically go away upon the Times Square ball drop, but a new year represents a clean slate. Even if it’s just symbolic, I’ll take it. That being said, I think most anticipate 2021 looking quite…

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Tools of the Leak Trade

Leak detection can be an integral part of a pool professional’s repertoire. One of the most important aspects is knowing which tools to use to get the job done. Lance Anderson, owner of Anderson Manufacturing Co., a leak detection equipment manufacturer in Saint Paul, Minnesota, says there are multiple tools needed before a company can…

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Ban Built-in Blemishes

Pool stains are often associated with lackluster pool maintenance. But pool stains can surface immediately following construction if proper preventive measures aren’t taken during the build. Stain prevention begins with protecting the pool throughout construction. Jeffery Anderson, managing member of Mayan Pools & Sports Construction in Atlanta, says one of the most common errors he…

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Blemish Imperfections

An assiduous pool pro does everything to keep the client’s pool looking pristine. After all, pools are as much an aesthetic feature as they are a functional one. Unavoidably, however, pool stains can occur. Understanding how and why, as well as what to do to prevent and remove them, are all part of the pool…

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Sticking to Their Guns

“Liability, insurance and licensing. That’s why my price is my price.” Joe Wilmot repeated this statement many times during the 11 years he operated H2Joe Pool Service & Repair in Fountain Hills, Arizona, northeast of Phoenix. He said it when giving bids on service to board members of HOAs; to owners and managers of small…

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The Chemistry of Copper

We know that iron stains are easily removed by vitamin C because ascorbic acid is a natural electron donor. It replaces electrons stripped from iron in oxidation, taking us from ferric oxide to ferrous oxide, which is soluble, lifting the stain. However, despite its success with iron, ascorbic acid doesn’t work very well for the…

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Lead Landslide

While the pandemic brought many industries to a screeching halt, the pool industry has seen an unprecedented boost in leads. Whether it’s a need to shake off stress, create a vacation at home or stay active, customers are flocking to pool companies. For many, it’s been a welcome change — but it’s also come with…