Material Delays and Their Effect on the Pool Industry

The pool industry has been greatly affected by subsequent fallout from the pandemic. Whether you own a pool or are looking to build one in your backyard, it’s likely you’re feeling the effects of a changing market. From longer build times to delays in equipment or chemicals, you’re experiencing what we hope won’t be a long-standing trend.

While reputable pool builders across the country continue to work hard to provide the same quality building and business practices that make them the leading pool builders within their area, the challenges they face continue to trickle down to the customer. 

There is a significant shortage of equipment, chemicals, and parts for pools, and the result is a stretched supply chain causing ripple effects throughout the industry. So what is causing these material delays? Read on to learn more about today’s state of the industry and its effect on the pool industry.

Port Delays

The pandemic has caused a collapse in the global vessel schedule. This has resulted in many ships arriving outside their schedule and causing confusion in planning cargo operations. As a result, container ships carrying imported goods are spending double the time on anchor waiting for berths.

Additionally, there’s a surge in demand and global trade. Ports are having difficulty maintaining a turnaround schedule; thus, ships have to wait for longer times to be loaded or unloaded causing a significant delay in delivery dates. 

The supply chain crisis has caused a shortage of building materials like travertine, fiberglass, skimmers, motor, pipes, filters, etc. Moreover, there’s a shortage of shipping containers. The vessels waiting at the port carry thousands of shipping containers, thus causing a global container shortage and shipping delays.

Plastics Shortages

ISM is experiencing plastic shortages that have also impacted the pool industry. This is due to the shortage of raw materials plus an increase in demand that has disrupted production.

In March 2020, suppliers reduced their stocks due to uncertainties caused by Covid-19. However, changes in consumer behavior increased the demand for plastic products. To make it worse, winter storm Uri caused the Texas freeze earlier this year which halted more than half of PVC production.

Chlorine Shortages

As if all the delays are not enough, the country is facing the worst chlorine shortage of the decade. In August 2020, Hurricane Laura destroyed a chlorine manufacturing plant, and it caught fire.

The plant produced more than a third of trichlor in the country. Before its destruction, the chlorine demand was at an all-time high, and the incident only put more pressure on the already stretched production.

Trickle Down Effects of Material Delays
The trickle-down effects of material delays is hitting the pool industry hard. From an increase in the price of materials to an increase in the cost of pool construction and service, there’s not much that can be done to protect the consumer from the changes. 

It’s predicted that pool owners will feel the trickle-down effects of the shortage as the cost of an inground swimming pool is expected to rise about 15 to 25 percent this year. In addition to the rise in price, the delays are also causing a backlog for pool construction lead times. Homeowners waiting for construction can expect extended timelines that may reach well into 2022.

But all is not lost. It’s important to note that waiting for a reputable pool builder is still the best way to go. By looking for quicker build times from a new pool builder you’re putting quality pool construction at risk, which can lead to major issues down the road. 

Thankfully, there are alternatives to some of these issues. Pool owners looking for chlorine alternatives have a number of solutions that could help offset the shortage. They include converting chlorinated pool systems to:

• Saltwater systems
• UV and ozone pool systems
• Copper and silver ionization systems

While converting to these systems requires a bit of an investment, the ultimate payoff is less money spent on chemicals, as well as a very clean and sanitized pool. 

Your Rio Grande Pool Builder

The past few years have proven to be challenging in many aspects, and while it shows no signs of slowing down, pool builders like Hamlin Pools are up for the challenge. We’re in the business of making backyard dreams come true, and we continue to work hard on a daily basis to stay up to date on the latest happenings affecting our industry. Give us a call today to learn more about the state of the pool industry and how we can start bringing your outdoor living space to life.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Since 1952, Hamlin Pools has been a family-owned and operated pool company serving the Rio Grande Valley, including McAllen, Mission, Brownsville, Harlingen, South Padre Island, and Corpus Christi. Hamlin Pools is the largest pool builder south of San Antonio and is proud to have built nearly 4,000 swimming pools for its customers. 

Hamlin Pools is an industry leader combining innovative designs with construction know-how. Through an extensive network built over the past 5 decades of building swimming pools in the Rio Grande Valley, Hamlin Pools has the ability to deliver a better pool at a better price. Hamlin Pools also does pool renovations, pool remodels, outdoor living, custom outdoor kitchens, weekly pool maintenance, pool equipment repair, pool chemical retail sales, and commercial pool construction. 

Hamlin Pools, with its main office Pharr, has received numerous awards for pool design and construction and are members of every major industry group dedicated to upholding high pool construction and service standards. Contact them today about building the backyard of your dreams.