Pool News
Shortages Delaying Pool Construction
A series of shortages are causing pool construction delays across the nation
Shortages continue to plague the pool industry and have now begun to cause tremendous delays for pool builders. Experts say a serious plastics shortage is trickling down and impacting builders across the pool industry. Diminished supplies and rising costs for raw materials are causing prices to skyrocket with distributors. Supply chains have been dramatically affected by a recent surge in demand for pool products as well as the COVID-19 shutdowns. As manufacturing plants begin to come back online, many in the industry are beginning to wonder if it’s too little too late to save this year’s pool season. Supply delays are already causing serious problems for pool builders across the nation and the situation looks to only be getting worse as the season goes on.
Shortages Cause Distributors to Raise Prices
Across the board – prices for chemicals, components, and machinery have gone up with major distributors. PoolCorp announced price increases earlier this year that are set to start on May 3, 2021. Many pool companies however, have reported wide spread price increases from other distributors in the months prior to the announcement taking effect. Stock on many essential components are in short supply due to Covid causing a series of wide spread factory slowdowns. This following an unprecedented demand for pool and spa goods in 2020.
Hurricane Laura sparked a fire at one of the main chlorine production plants, shutting down more than 40% of the chlorine tablet production in the United States. We have seen significant price increases on chemicals, especially chlorine. The price for chlorine tablets is predicted to increase up to 50% by mid July according to analysts.
Plastics Shortage Impacting The Pool Industry
ISM is reporting a plastics shortage that is already predicted to severely impact the pool industry. Raw material shortages for resin have dramatically impacted supply chains. Dwindling supplies were already tight say leading experts. The recent deep freeze caused by winter storm Uri, took many supplies off the market as pool owners in Texas experienced millions of dollars in unexpected pool equipment repairs.
The Petrochemical industry which is largely based in Texas, was nearly brought to it’s knees during the winter. Uri had disastrous implications on supplies which are impacting the inventory that pool companies have depended on being available for this seasons installation projects.
According to the Wall Street Journal, which cited S& P Global Platts, the freeze in Texas, one of the largest exporters of plastics and other petrochemical products, halted production of 75% of polyethylene, 62% of polypropylene, and 57% of PVC. Texas manufactures about 85 percent of the polyethylene used in the United States, making it the most commonly used plastic in the world. The manufacturing delays have triggered a global plastics shortage.
Maintaining Pricing Structures is Impossible
Maintaining existing pricing structures has already become untenable for pool service companies due to the rising costs of chemicals like trichlor and dichlor. Many pool service companies have begun to send out announcements to customers to expect price increases on weekly pool service this season. “We have absolutely no choice” said Mike Pompura of Pool Masters in Corona, CA. “Distributors have raised their prices considerably this season and unfortunately we are going to have start passing these price increases on to our customers.”
Pompura who has run his pool service company for the past two decades, says he has never seen conditions like this before. “I’ve been in business since 2001 and this is the worst I have seen it. We are having problems getting valves. PVC has also gone way up this year” said Pompura.
The problems Pompura is experiencing seem to echo the sentiments of many pool companies sounding off in pool industry groups on social media. The stress on plastic supplies and a surge on demand for resins are causing bottlenecks in the supply chain across the nation. Experts cite a number of causes for ongoing delays including port closures, over the road capacity shortages, and an increased demand on plastics for food packaging and PPE.
Emile Stinchcombe of Aqua Guard Pools in Detroit says the problem is bigger than just a shortage of materials. The Covid-19 relief bill has provided extra stimulus to the point where the industry finds itself suddenly short of skilled labor during the busiest months of the pool season. “We have a serious shortage of labor this year. Suddenly everyone wants to stay home and collect unemployment instead of work for a living. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years in the pool industry.” said Stinchcombe.
Winter storm Uri hit petrochemcial plants in Texas and Louisiana hard. Many industry experts fear that supply chains have not yet recovered to make a meaningful impact in time for this years pool season. This could very well be why major distributors are hedging their bets by stating that further price increases may be just around the corner.
Shortages Causing Prices to Soar
One thing is certain, with raw materials increasing in price – consumers can be certain to feel the trickle down effect in their wallet this pool season. The price of an inground swimming pool is predicted to increase 15-25% in most markets throughout the United States this year in comparison to last year. This is on par with the rising costs of raw materials like lumber contributing to an expected additional $36,000 to the price of average new home construction this year.
In addition, timelines for completing inground pool projects have also been dramatically impacted. There is an enormous backlog of homeowners waiting just to get on the list for pool construction. Consumers can expect extended timelines for construction to go up from the typical timeframe of 6-8 weeks to now 3 months or more in many areas of the country.
The news does not bode well for homeowners like Penny Lopez in Las Vegas who contracted with her pool builder back in January and is still waiting for her pool to be finished. “We were told that we would be swimming by May but I’m still looking at a giant hole in my backyard,” said Lopez, whose story seems to resemble that of other homeowners throughout the Las Vegas region.
The Trickle Down Effects
The pool and spa industry is just one of many industries affected by this crisis. John Schiegg, VP of Supply Chain Services for Houston-based home builders David Weekley Homes, said he’s seeing shortages and price increases on everything from siding to adhesives to insulation. After winter storm Uri, several PVC manufacturers reported to Schiegg they would be unable to meet their contractual obligations. Schiegg said he was surprised to hear distributors in other neighboring states were impacted as well.
New York based Confer Plastics, manufacturers of pool ladders, steps, and spa accessories; said they would be unable to deliver products planned or scheduled. They’ve already been forced to layoff 40 employees. Vice President Bob Confer said he’s never seen a situation like this in his 47 years in the industry. Confer Plastics is far from the epicenter of the Texas freeze but is still experiencing the long range ripple effects as are many other manufacturers throughout the pool industry.
Blue Wave has issued a recall affecting multiple above-ground swimming pool models after federal safety officials identified a potential drowning hazard involving children.
The recall, announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on December 18, covers approximately 13,400 Blue Wave brand above-ground pools that are 48 inches deep or taller and utilize an exterior compression strap as part of the pool’s frame system.
Reason for the Recall
The affected pools feature a compression strap positioned around the outside of the vertical support poles. While the strap is designed to provide structural stability, the CPSC determined that its placement may unintentionally create a foothold.
According to the agency, this foothold could allow children to climb into the pool, even when the ladder has been removed, creating a risk of unsupervised access and potential drowning.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the recalled products at the time of the announcement.
Affected Models
The recall applies to the following Blue Wave above-ground pool models:
• Blue Wave 15-Ft Rd 48-In Active Frame Pool
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Rd 52-In Active Frame Pool
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool
• Blue Wave 24-Ft Rd 52-In Dark Cocoa Wicker Frame Pool
• Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 15-Ft Round 48-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave Rustic Cedar 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Gray Rattan Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Espresso Wicker Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 15-Ft Round 48-In Navy Blue Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 18-Ft Round 52-In Navy Blue Frame Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave 15-Ft Round 48-In Aspen Swimming Pool Package W/Cover
• Blue Wave Mocha Wicker 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
• Blue Wave Mocha Wicker 24-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
• Blue Wave Laguna 15-Ft Round 48-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
• Blue Wave Laguna 18-Ft Round 52-In Deep Swimming Pool Package With Cover
All affected models share a common design feature: an exterior compression strap that encircles the pool’s vertical supports.
Sales Channels and Distribution
The recalled pools were sold nationwide from January 2021 through July 2025 through a mix of big-box retailers, sporting goods stores, and online marketplaces, including:
• The Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• Dunham’s Sports
• Amazon
• Walmart
• Wayfair
Retailers have been notified to halt sales of affected models and to direct customers to the manufacturer’s recall remedy.
What Dealers and Retailers Should Know
For dealers and retail partners, the recall highlights the importance of prompt inventory review and customer outreach. Any remaining unsold stock matching the recalled models should be removed from the sales floor and distribution channels immediately.
Retailers that sold affected units during the recall period may see an increase in customer inquiries regarding eligibility, repair kits, and interim safety measures. Clear communication at the point of contact will be critical, particularly around the distinction between structural components and ladders, which many consumers assume are the primary access risk.
Service professionals and retail staff should also be prepared to explain that the recall does not involve a full product replacement, but rather a manufacturer-provided modification designed to eliminate the foothold while maintaining frame integrity.
Manufacturer Remedy
Blue Wave is offering a free repair kit to affected pool owners. The kit replaces the exterior compression strap with a lower-profile system installed closer to ground level. Once the repair is completed, the original strap can be removed.
Until the repair is installed, the manufacturer and CPSC recommend that pool owners prevent unsupervised access to the pool area or drain the pool temporarily.
Dealers and service professionals should advise customers not to remove or cut the compression strap prior to installing the repair kit, as doing so could compromise the pool’s structural stability.
Poolsafe LLC, offers new mesh, removable safety fencing designed to be installed around any pool shape or size. Uses patented, transparent, large-hole ClearGuard™ Mesh for better visibility into the pool area, while also blending the fence into backyard. Lockable, self-closing Triton™ gate features a curved top bar to help prevent climbing. Unique Tri-Pod Truss system keeps gate aligned with daily usage. Available in 4ft and 5ft heights, in black, brown, beige, or gray colors.
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(888) 489-2282
Latham Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SWIM), the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, appoints Sean Gadd as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer as part of a CEO transition that will take effect on January 5, 2026. The appointment follows a comprehensive search as part of a succession planning process led by the Board and current CEO Scott Rajeski, who will be retiring from Latham and will serve as a special advisor to the company.
Sean Gadd comes to Latham following a 21-year career at James Hardie. He most recently served as President of North America since 2022, where he has had full P&L responsibility for James Hardie’s largest regional business. Prior to his role as President of North America, Sean served as Executive Vice President, North America, Commercial (2018-2022) and Executive Vice President, Markets and Segments, North America (2015-2018) at James Hardie, leading the front end of the business across product, marketing, and sales. Sean has been instrumental in spearheading James Hardie’s substantial organic net sales growth since 2022, driving material conversion and deeper market penetration through a refined go-to-market strategy targeting end-users via channel partners. Sean brings experience that is directly comparable to Latham’s material conversion and Sand State initiatives, and his demonstrated success in driving strategic growth will be invaluable for Latham and its shareholders.
James E. Cline, Chairman, commented, “Sean is known as a strong leader and brand-builder and has an impressive track record of driving growth at James Hardie. We are thrilled that he has accepted the CEO role at Latham, and the Board believes Sean will be able to leverage his robust commercial experience, sector knowledge, and branding expertise to accelerate our ability to continue to gain share and further the conversion to fiberglass from concrete pools.”
“I am pleased to be joining Latham and am looking forward to building on its achievements to date. This is an excellent opportunity for me to utilize my experience in the building products category to drive further market penetration and adoption of Latham’s top-quality products and greater recognition for its superior service standards,” Mr. Gadd commented.
Mr. Gadd will also become a member of Latham’s Board of Directors, replacing Mr. Rajeski, who is resigning from the Board concurrently with his retirement.
Mr. Cline commented, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our deep appreciation for the contributions that Scott Rajeski has made to Latham during his long tenure at the company, first as Chief Financial Officer and, since 2017, as President and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership and that of his executive and operating teams, the company went public in April of 2021 and has experienced substantial growth, demonstrated resilience within a difficult industry environment, and built a strong financial position.”
Mr. Rajeski noted, “It has been a privilege to serve as the President & CEO of Latham alongside the talented executive and operating teams that we have at the company. Together, we have advanced the awareness and adoption of fiberglass pools and autocovers, while implementing production and related efficiencies that have streamlined our operations. I am proud to be retiring as CEO of Latham with the company in a strong financial position and in very capable hands. Throughout my conversations with Sean, I have been very impressed with his leadership capabilities and background, and I am confident that he will bring a unique skillset that will allow Latham to continue to outperform the industry, gain further traction in the important Sand States, and remain an acquirer of choice.”
About Latham Group, Inc.
Latham Group, Inc., headquartered in Latham, NY, is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Latham has a coast-to-coast operations platform consisting of approximately 1,850 employees across around 30 locations.
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