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Dyeing Your Pool Green For St. Patrick’s Day Can Be an Unlucky Mistake

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Dyeing Your Pool Green For St. Patrick's Day Can Be an Unlucky Mistake

We’re all about getting into the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day and here at Pool Magazine we have some creative suggestions on how to decorate the backyard for the holiday that we’ll discuss a little later. With that said, we can’t say that we’re very big fans of the social media fad of dyeing your pool water green to celebrate. In fact, according to most pool professionals, dyeing your pool water any color can be a recipe for an unlucky and costly maintenance headache that pool owners definitely will not want to deal with.

Why Do Folks Want To Dye Their Pool Green?

Your first experience with dyeing a large body of water may have come from witnessing what happens in the city of Chicago. The Windy City dyes the Chicago River green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day every year and has done so since the tradition first began in 1962. Each year a group dumps around 50 pounds of vegetable dye into the river which transforms the color of the water into a shamrock green color.

The Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day each year
The Chicago River is dyed green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day each year

The Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 did the honors this year using 2-3 motorboats to spread the dye. The green color lasts a few days. It only takes around 45 minutes for the entire river to turn bright green. Over 400,000 attendees gather around the river to watch and it’s a lovely event for the city of Chicago.

Watch the Chicago River dyed Green – Aerial drone footage of the process

Dyeing Your Pool Green Isn’t a Smart Idea

To be perfectly clear though, this is not one that we recommend trying to recreate at home in your own backyard and there are some very straightforward reasons why. A few years back a buddy of mine was renting a home with a pool in the East Bay in California. He decided to throw an impromptu pool party for St. Patrick’s day and thought it would be a fun idea to dye the pool green for the party.

Wanting to imitate the look and party vibe that the city of Chicago has going is one thing, but the maintenance chore of cleaning up the pool after the party is one that perhaps he hadn’t anticipated. I seem to recall a prodigious and panicked scrubbing session to remove green dye residue that had discolored the tiles. Probably not the smartest thing to do in a rented home but that’s a whole other headache to discuss which has more to do about protecting your investment by setting some ground rules about how your rental property is used by tenants.

Friends who attended the party remarked how weird it was swimming in a green pool. The water was so cloudy that it was impossible to use the pool even with the lights on once the sun went down. Cleaning the pool proved to be harder than anticipated. My friend’s efforts didn’t pay off nearly as well as he would have liked and his landlord ultimately wound up charging him a fee to have the pool professionally cleaned.

Advice From Professionals – Don’t Dye It

We asked pool professionals what they thought about the practice of dyeing your pool green for Saint Patrick’s day. “If I walked up on a pool that had been dyed green, I’m pretty sure my brain would short-circuit,” said Derrick Todd of Aquanut Academy, “Dyeing the water in a pool causes all sorts of maintenance headaches.”

“For instance, cleaning the filters (can be difficult) as the dye pigments tend to build up there,” explained Todd, “that’s if the filter can even catch them. A cartridge only filters down to about 10 microns. There is always the possibility of staining the pool surface,” said Todd.

Swimming in a green pool for St. Patricks day isn't all it's cracked up to be. - Don't dye your pool green.
Swimming in a green pool for St. Patricks day isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Adverse Chemical Reactions

“You also have to be careful with your pool chemistry as the dye can react negatively with harsh chemicals like shock or acid- which means (if you’re having a pool party); you will not be able to treat the pool for heavy bather loads like you normally would,” explained Cole Daasnes of Poseidon Pools, a Roseville Pool Service company located in Northern California.

Daasnes suggested that by attempting to fake dye your pool a green color, you may end up with a really green pool for your trouble. “If you’re dyeing your pool you’ll be limiting the amount of circulation and filtration after application to make sure you get the desired effect and that it actually lasts (and doesn’t just filter out). Consequently, by limiting your circulation, filtration, and chemicals- you may actually end up with a real green pool only it’ll be caused by algae instead of dye.”

Using The Wrong Dye & Water Clarity Concerns

“I would be nervous that if the right dye isn’t used it could turn everything green. Baskets, filter cartridges, etc.,” said Kelli Clancy of Legacy Pool Spa Service in Sacramento, “I would also be concerned about how long the dye is in the water although I know there are some pool water dyes that with chlorine will oxidize off. My other concern obviously is seeing the bottom of the pool clearly which is more to do with drowning prevention.”

“It seems to go against everything we stand for. After all, we’ve made an entire career out of keeping pools from going green,” said Rudy Stankowitz of Talking Pools, “A little bit of pigment and a surfactant as a spreading agent and voilà; you too can have a swimming pool that looks like you haven’t touched it in weeks just in time for St. Paddy’s Day. Not only that, overuse of color additive can run the risk of the plaster hanging on to that color longer than you had planned.”

Cleaning Up The Mess

Some folks opt to take things a step further than dye and use green paint. Cleaning the pool the day after St. Patrick’s day is when the real chore starts if green paint was used said Stankowitz, “It’s all Éirinn go Brách until the color doesn’t fade, that’s when the 911 calls on the 18th begin,” explained Stankowitz, “By the luck of the Irish, it doesn’t take a pot of gold to fix – the remedy involves the same steps one would follow in any case of vandalism involving paint. Add 40 oz of Pool First aid (the only enzyme product I know of rated for treatment of vandalized water). Filter, backwash, and repeat every 48 hours until the pool water is again clear.”

Throwing a St. Patrick’s Day Themed Pool Party The Right Way

When you use dyes or chemicals in your pool water, you can inadvertently cause damage to the filter and other components. It’s also very easy to cause hard to remove stains. After the party, you must scrub clean the tiles and deck to remove any remaining residue from the dye.

It is a time-consuming and labor-intensive activity that is more trouble than it’s worth. Therefore, unless you love a good “I told you so”, avoid dyeing your pool green for a St. Patrick’s Day pool party.

Tips For Throwing A St. Patrick’s Day Themed Pool Party

Due to the fact that chemical dyes are not healthy for your pool, it’s a smart idea to consider other methods of hosting a St. Patrick’s day themed pool party. Green is the appropriate color, however it’s better to achieve the look with green LED lights to illuminate the pool and spa without using dye.

Turn your pool green for St. Patrick's day - St. Patrick's Day themed pool lighting using Hayward ColorLogic LED pool lighting
St. Patrick’s Day themed pool lighting using Hayward ColorLogic LED pool lighting

Bright LED lights will produce a green hue without the maintenance headache. To be clear, there is absolutely no reason why your pool water should ever be dyed to fit any type of party theme.

All it takes is some smart preparation and the right party accessories to create a St. Patricks holiday theme in your backyard. To create the right vibe for St. Patrick’s day, choose green-toned party décor, lighting, and other elements. To get into party mode, you can prepare green-themed food and offer green beverages in green glasses.

Additionally, decorate your pool with green pool accessories such as balloons, floats, floating lights, and floating hats. Whatever you choose, keep it consistent with the theme for the best results.

St. Patrick’s Day Themed Pool Party Checklist

This St. Patrick’s day pool float is the ideal accessory for celebrating the holiday. A fun inflatable to add some themed decor to go with the day.

  • Beer mug inflatable measures 18″h x 18″W x 14″d (when inflated)
  • The beer Stein design, Dotted with little green shamrocks, makes this inflatable cooler a fun and practical decoration
  • Feel and enjoy like a true Irish with this St. Patrick’s day beer mug inflatable cooler
  • Durability at its finest as after use, just drain and deflate to stash this reusable cooler away until the following year.
  • Simply fill it with ice followed by your favorite bottled and canned beverages to keep them chilled

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St. Patrick’s Day outdoor lights for your backyard add the perfect theme for your pool party.

  • Green Shamrocks String Lights: Add a soft, festive glow to your decor with our 50 LED green mini St Patricks Day Shamrocks Lights, battery powered string lights is 17ft.
  • 8 Lighting Modes: These St Patricks Day string lights have 8 lighting modes for you to choose.
  • Timer Function: Built-in timing function without setting, just turn on the lights(no matter whatever lighting mode), the light will keep 6 hours On and 18 hours Off automatically every 24hrs.

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Add a St. Patrick’s Day themed table runner to your outdoor dining table to add a festive holiday theme to your pool party.

72-inch long table runner ☘: The St. Patrick’s Day table runner is 14 inches wide and 72 inches long. This is not only a decoration for St. Patrick’s Day, but also a home table decoration, and at the same time it can bring holiday joy. This table mat with St. Patrick’s Day pattern elements is made of high-quality cotton and linen, durable and environmentally friendly. 

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St. Patrick’s Day throw pillows for your outdoor sofa or loveseat add the perfect accent for your themed backyard decor.

  • Double Sided Printing Pillow Cases: 18×18 pillow cover set of 4 are printed with the same St. Patrick’s Day elements pattern on both sides. Classic green buffalo check decor, shamrocks hat and lucky clover patterns. The St Patrick’s Day pillow covers is printed with state of the art digital printing technology. Vivid colors and clear image. No fading.
  • Shamrock Couch Pillow Covers Material: Our Saint Patricks Day green buffalo plaid pillow covers are made of excellent breathable linen fabric. These green linen pillow covers are soft, comfortable & durable. No pilling and creases. All seams have been over-locked to avoid fraying and tearing. ?The St Patricks Day decor pillows are comfortable to the touch, child and pet friendly.

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Add a few St. Patrick’s day themed yard signs to show guests where the party is at and get them in the right vibe for your holiday themed event.

Package Included: 10 pcs yard signs + 20 pcs Fiberglass Stakes. 10 signs decorations include gnome , legs and hat, shamrock, rainbow, beer, balloon, Irishman, pot of gold, horseshoe, boot of gold.

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With a few St. Patrick’s day themed cups to enjoy some dyed green adult beverages, your pool party is officially ready for guests.

  • Elevate the look of your St Patrick’s day drinks! Complete your St Patrick’s Day party decoration with happy St Patrick’s Day cups! Fill the drinks into Aatriet cups!
  • Bring the Irish Lucky sprits by using these shamrock green plastic cups. Happy St Patrick’s Day! Cheers!
  • Multiple purpose: these plastic cups are great for beer, ice beverage, ice cream, cocktails, soda, juice, candy, snacks, and more.

Pool Magazine is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, if you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

4.8/5 - (22 votes)

Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

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Landslide Damages Homes, Destroys Swimming Pool in California

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Landslide Destroys Home, Damages Swimming Pool in California

A landslide wreaked havoc in Sherman Oaks early Wednesday morning, causing millions in damage and virtually destroying one homeowner’s swimming pool. The catastrophe unfolded at around 3 a.m. following reports from residents in the 3700 block of North Ventura Canyon Avenue, who noticed downed power lines and a large tree fallen into a backyard, as detailed in a press release by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a significant portion of the hillside had shifted downward, endangering at least three homes and inflicting heavy damage on another under construction. Video footage captured by OnScene.TV revealed a gaping crack splitting through the backyard of one residence, with a section of the home visibly tilting to one side.

While no injuries were reported, several individuals were evacuated from at least one home, with firefighters resorting to pumping water out of a swimming pool to alleviate additional strain on the hillside. Unfortunately, part of the pool and home ultimately collapsed down a 30-foot cliff destroying another residence that was still under construction.

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Responding to the crisis, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety initially deemed one home unsafe, red-tagging the structure. However, their assessment later extended to two homes deemed unsafe and a third severely damaged, marked with a yellow tag. Ongoing drone surveys by firefighters aim to assess the extent of the damage and potential risks.

At present, the exact cause of the landslide remains undetermined, according to LAFD spokesperson Nicholas Prange. Requests for comment from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety went unanswered.

Authorities seized the opportunity to remind residents of the necessity for year-round emergency preparedness, emphasizing the looming threats posed by wildfires and heavy rainstorms capable of triggering landslides.

The unfortunate incident follows March’s heavy precipitation in Southern California, with Sherman Oaks experiencing 1.95 inches of rainfall over March 6th and 7th, as reported by the National Weather Service.

4.9/5 - (12 votes)

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

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BofA Downgrades Latham Group Citing Weak Pool Construction Market

Latham Group (NASDAQ: SWIM), a prominent player in residential swimming pool construction, faced a setback as Bank of America downgraded its stock due to concerns over sluggish new pool construction and increased decrementals.

With the downgrade, SWIM’s stock plummeted by 23.78% during pre-market trading on Wednesday, settling at $2.50, marking an 11% dip below its 200-day simple moving average.

Bank of America revised its recommendation on Latham Group stock to Underperform, slashing the price target from $4.50 to $2.60.

In its 2024 guidance announcement, SWIM projected revenues between $490M and $520M, falling short of the consensus estimate of $533.09M. Similarly, adjusted EBITDA guidance ranged from $60M to $70M, representing an 8% to 35% decrease compared to previous expectations.

The downgrade stems from a sluggish start to 2024, subdued projections for new pool construction, operational challenges leading to deleverage, and constrained free cash flow.

Management anticipates a 15% year-over-year decline in new pool construction for 2024.

These developments contrast with the optimistic sentiment among some sell-side analysts, who maintain a Buy rating on SWIM with an average price target of $3.54.

Scott Rajeski, President and CEO, stated, “Latham navigated a very difficult market environment in 2023. We successfully implemented cost reduction programs and lean manufacturing initiatives that structurally reduced our cost basis, while maintaining our investments in future growth. These cost reduction programs improved margins as the year progressed and we expect they will enable us to considerably expand margins and overall profitability once volumes recover. At the same time, we increased productivity and efficiency for our dealers, developed new fiberglass pool models, and invested in digital tools that have enhanced the consumer’s pool buying experience. As a result of these actions, Latham is positioned for meaningful market share gains as overall industry conditions improve.”

5/5 - (7 votes)

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Fluidra Launches €20 Million Venture Capital Fund – Fluidra Ventures

The company will invest €20 million in tech-based startups that offer emerging solutions that can enhance the pool and wellness sector.

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Fluidra Ventures

Fluidra, a global leader in connected equipment and solutions for the pool and wellness sector, is launching Fluidra Ventures, a €20 million corporate venture capital fund (CVC) investment to lead innovation in the sector.

The CVC will invest in each startup with the potential to revolutionize the industry on a global scale through their solutions, with a special focus on the United States and Europe. The goal of this first three-year phase is to build a solid portfolio of startups through investing in innovative companies.

The CVC will target startup initiatives that enhance efficiency, connectivity, sustainability and safety in the swimming pool and wellness business, leveraging IoT, computer vision and robotic solutions. It is looking for startups that add value to the pool and wellness sector with innovative business models, fostering direct customer interaction through sales, subscriptions and other channels. The CVC has already invested in Coral Smart Pool, a technology company aiming to transform the pool experience through Artificial Intelligence (AI) with an initial focus on pool safety.  

Fluidra Ventures will also invest in companies that innovate in engineering and science to advance materials and products that deal with swimming pool manufacturing, efficiency and maintenance.

Four segments and eight strategic guidelines

The fund is focused on four different segments — Commercial, Residential, Wellness and Mass Market—and has an investment thesis that covers eight strategic guidelines, from connected pools, resource optimization, digital platforms, innovative materials, security systems, personalized experiences, robotics and innovative consumable products.

Fluidra Ventures is fueled by Fluidra Lab, Fluidra’s open innovation division, and any startups that want to submit their proposals can send their investment pitch decks to [email protected]. Offering more than just investments, Fluidra aims to leverage this initiative to become the top strategic collaborator for the most innovative startups with the tremendous benefits that being an industry leader brings, such as: resources, scale successful business models, expertise, experience, and sales options.

“This initiative joins several others that we have at Fluidra to promote innovation in our industry. This is why here at Fluidra Ventures we’re excited about the transformative potential that this venture will have for the pool and wellness industry, driving forward innovation, sustainability and technological advancement”, said Eloi Planes, Fluidra’s Executive Chairman.

5/5 - (12 votes)

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