Industry News

Pool Tariffs Are Coming, Buckle Up

Proposed pool tariffs could impact equipment, chemicals, and supplies—raising costs and disrupting 2025 for pool pros and pool owners.

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2025

Joe Trusty

As summer approaches, the pool and spa industry typically prepares for peak demand with an eye on weather patterns, staffing, and material supply. This year, however, an unexpected wildcard has entered the equation: proposed import tariffs from President Donald Trump. A sweeping trade plan includes a universal 10% tariff on all imported goods and country-specific tariffs as high as 60%—targeting major export nations like China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. These moves could lead to widespread disruptions in pricing, inventory availability, and business strategy across the industry.

While much of the mainstream discussion has focused on global economics, pool professionals are already bracing for a tangible, near-term impact on the supplies that power their day-to-day operations—from pool pumps and patio furniture to chlorine tablets and algaecides.

Pool Tariffs: Countries With Major Increases

🇨🇳 China: Equipment and Essential Components Under Threat

With a proposed 60% tariff on Chinese imports, the pressure on manufacturers and distributors will be immediate. China is a key supplier of:

Variable-speed pumps
Pool filters and filter cartridges
LED lighting
Control panels and automation systems
PVC fittings and plumbing parts

These aren’t just high-ticket items; they’re foundational to virtually every new pool build and maintenance route. For builders who spec out entire equipment pads and service companies that stock up for summer maintenance, these costs could spike sharply.

“Higher tariffs on Chinese goods mean we’ll either have to absorb the cost or increase prices across the board,” said Brian Turmail, spokesperson for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). In an interview with Construction Dive, Turmail emphasized that “uncertainty is worse than the tariffs themselves” because it disrupts the ability to plan and price projects effectively.

In the pool world, that uncertainty could result in fewer homeowners committing to backyard upgrades—or worse, delay or cancel their pool builds altogether.

🇻🇳 Vietnam: Outdoor Living Just Got Pricier

Vietnam has emerged as a dominant supplier of outdoor furnishings, including teak and synthetic rattan poolside loungers, umbrellas, shade structures, and pergolas. With a proposed 46% tariff, luxury outdoor living upgrades could become significantly more expensive.

High-end pool contractors and landscape designers often rely on Vietnamese-made furniture to finish out resort-style backyards. If prices skyrocket or lead times extend, many may be forced to switch to domestic or lower-tier alternatives that compromise style, comfort, or durability.

🇹🇼 Taiwan: Plumbing and Hardware Vulnerabilities

Taiwan, which faces a 32% tariff under the proposal, is a major exporter of essential pool parts including:

Check valves and unions
Actuators and diverter valves
PVC components
Steel hardware and brackets

Although often unseen by the end user, these components are vital for building and repairing pools. Pool plumbers and installers will find themselves paying more for the basic building blocks of their systems, with the potential for backorders as suppliers scramble to adjust.

💥 The Universal 10% Tariff: Chlorine, Acid, and Chemical Supplies

Perhaps most concerning for service pros is the universal 10% tariff on all imported goods, which would hit pool chemicals especially hard. While the U.S. manufactures many of its pool chemicals domestically, a significant share—especially in the offseason—is still imported from countries like China, India, and Canada.

Imports of:

Trichlor tablets
Sodium bicarbonate (alkalinity increaser)
Calcium chloride (hardness increaser)
Sodium bisulfate and muriatic acid
Specialty algaecides and phosphate removers

…could all see price increases under the new tariff plan.

After back-to-back years of chemical shortages due to pandemic-era supply chain issues and the catastrophic 2020 BioLab fire, the industry has only recently stabilized. Another round of price hikes or delivery delays could be a painful setback.

According to a 2025 report by Business Insider, construction and service professionals in other sectors are already warning that tariffs on imported materials will impact “everything from floor tiles to aluminum railings.” The pool industry is no different—chemicals and components are linked together, and increased costs in one area can drive up pricing across the board.

Recent Tariff Updates

Country/Region	Tariff Rate	Status	Effective Date	Key Products Impacted
Canada	25%	Scheduled	April 2, 2025	All goods
Canada	25%	Active	March 4, 2025	All goods non-USMCA
Canada (energy)	10%	Active	March 4, 2025	Crude oil, natural gas
Mexico	25%	Scheduled	April 2, 2025	All goods
Mexico	25%	Active	March 4, 2025	All goods non-USMCA
Potash (Canada and Mexico)	10% non-USMCA; Exempt USMCA-qualifying	Active	March 7, 2025	Potash
China	20% increase	Active	March 4, 2025	Broad range of products
Venezuelan Oil Importer Countries	25% increase	Scheduled	April 2, 2025	All goods
Global (steel)	25%	Active	March 12, 2025	Steel products
Global (aluminum)	25%	Active	March 12, 2025	Aluminum products
Global (copper)	25%	Announced	TBD	Copper products
European Union	25%	Announced	TBD	Various, cars, wine, spirits, processed foods, luxury items
Reciprocal Tariff Plan	Varies	Scheduled	April 2, 2025	Various, depending on other countries’ tariffs on U.S. goods

Industry Source for Data: Pool & Hot Tub Alliance – Tariff Policy – Stay engaged with the PHTA’s website for an ongoing and maintained list of the most recent tariff updates.

Inflation and Planning Pressure

Goldman Sachs recently projected that a tariff wave of this magnitude could push the Fed’s preferred core inflation metric up to 3.5% in 2025, compared to 2.8% in February. Pool professionals are already seeing the ripple effects. Prices of imported gear, chemicals, and finish materials may begin to creep up even before tariffs go into effect, as suppliers preemptively increase margins or shift to more expensive sources.

Contractors who submitted bids in early 2024 based on last year’s pricing could be underwater come installation time, forcing difficult conversations with clients.

What Pool Companies Should Do Now

Review Inventory Sources: Identify products sourced from tariff-impacted countries and work with distributors to plan ahead.
Communicate with Clients: Let homeowners know that material costs may rise due to macroeconomic factors. Transparency builds trust.
Negotiate with Distributors: Lock in pricing where possible, and explore domestic alternatives that won’t be subject to increased tariffs.
Stay Agile with Quotes: Include disclaimers or escalation clauses in contracts to account for unforeseen material cost increases.
Consider Bulk Buys of Chemicals: Especially for service companies, now may be the time to stock up on chlorine and acid before summer surges and tariffs kick in.

What About Vehicles?

Though not at the forefront of pool-specific concerns, the proposed 25% tariff on foreign-made automobiles could also affect the industry. Many pool companies rely on imported service vehicles—like Toyota Tacomas, Nissan NV vans, or Mercedes Sprinter models—for their fleet. If these become more expensive or less available, companies may face additional costs or delays in expanding or maintaining their operations.

Final Thoughts on Pool Industry Tariffs

While it remains to be seen how many of these proposed tariffs will be implemented—or in what form—pool and spa professionals can’t afford to ignore the potential impact. From chlorine tablets and pool pumps to loungers and loadout vehicles, every aspect of the backyard business could be affected.

As the saying goes, plan for the worst and hope for the best. For the pool industry, that means treating this tariff plan as more than just political posturing—it could be a serious challenge to the stability of the 2025 pool season.

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Joe Trusty

Editor in Chief of Pool Magazine - Joe Trusty is also CEO of PoolMarketing.com, the leading digital agency for the pool industry. An internet entrepreneur, software developer, author, and marketing professional with a long history in the pool industry. Joe oversees the writing and creative staff at Pool Magazine.

To contact Joe Trusty email [email protected] or call (916) 467-9118 during normal business hours. For submissions, please send your message to [email protected]

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Industry News

PHTA Opens Public Review of Revised PHTA-6 Spa Standard

The revised PHTA-6 standard addresses requirements for residential portable spas and exercise spas, with public comments being accepted during the review period.

Published

4 weeks ago

May 22, 2026

Susie Cuebas

(Alexandria, Va.) — The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is inviting public review and comment on the proposed revision of the PHTA-6 Standard for Residential Portable Spas and Exercise Spas.

As an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited standards developer, PHTA follows a consensus-based standards development process that includes public review and comment opportunities for proposed standards revisions.

The draft revision of the PHTA-6 standard focuses on site-specific installation and consumer use of residential portable spas and exercise spas after delivery to the end user. Proposed updates are intended to improve enforceability, support regulatory alignment, address certification gaps, and enhance safety continuity throughout the industry.

The revised draft also includes updated language and new content designed to reflect current industry practices, technologies, and requirements.

The public review period for the draft PHTA-6 standard opens May 22, 2026, and closes July 6, 2026. During this time, industry professionals, regulatory agencies, and other interested parties are encouraged to review the draft and submit comments for consideration.

The public review announcement was published in ANSI Standards Action on May 22, 2026.

The draft standard and instructions for submitting comments are available on the PHTA-6 webpage at phta.org.

For additional information, please contact PHTA’s Standards Department at [email protected] or call (703) 838-0083.

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance:
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000+ members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

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Industry News

Watson’s Expands into Carolinas with Viridien Acquisition

Published

4 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

Susie Cuebas

Watsons-pool-spa-retail-exterior-building

Watson’s Accelerates Strategic Growth with Acquisition of Viridien Patio + Fireplace, Strengthening Southern U.S. Presence

Cincinnati, OH (May 18th, 2026) – Watson’s, one of the nation’s largest retailers of home recreational products and furnishings, today announced the acquisition of Charlotte, NC based Viridien Patio + Fireplace, the Carolinas premier destination for high-end outdoor furniture, outdoor kitchens, fireplace and hearth products.

The acquisition of Viridien further strengthens Watson’s Southern U.S. presence, building on its 2024 acquisition of Fort Myers, Florida-based Recreational Warehouse, while also expanding its leadership in the outdoor furnishings category overall. The addition of four Carolinas locations—Charlotte, Lake Norman, Raleigh, and Greenville—brings Watson’s total store count to 39. Following the acquisition, Watson’s will operate 23 corporate locations and 16 franchise and affiliate locations.

“Expanding into the Carolinas market has long been a strategic objective for us,” said Erik Mueller, CEO of Watson’s. “The market’s strength and sustained economic growth make it a natural fit for our continued expansion. Combined with Viridien’s strong team, shared values, proven business model, and established presence, this acquisition represents an excellent strategic alignment. We are excited to welcome the entire Viridien team into the Watson’s family and to continue delivering high-quality products and experiences that bring enjoyment and relaxation to families across the region. Looking ahead, we see meaningful
opportunities to expand our product offerings and further grow our presence throughout the state as we invest in and grow alongside the community.”

“Watson’s is a family business with a strong culture, an outstanding reputation, and values that closely align with our own. From the beginning, it was important to me to find a partner that truly understood what Viridien has been built on over the past 45 years — taking care of our employees, customers, and vendor partners while always operating with integrity and a long-term perspective. I genuinely don’t believe we could have found a better home for our business. This partnership creates exciting opportunities for growth while allowing us to preserve the culture, service, and relationships that have defined Viridien for decades,” said Grant W. Henegan, Owner and President of Viridien Patio + Fireplace.

Following the acquisition, Viridien will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Watson’s and will be branded as Viridien by Watson’s. Customers should continue to expect a seamless and premium experience, with the same high standards of product selection and exceptional customer service delivered by both Watson’s and Viridien.

Building on this most recent expansion, Watson’s continues to evaluate and pursue multiple avenues for growth across the U.S. “We see significant opportunity to continue scaling Watson’s through new store development and strategic acquisitions in both our existing and new markets,” said Mueller.

Founded in 1968, Watson’s is one of the nation’s largest retailers of home recreation products, offering outdoor furniture, spas, pools, saunas, billiards, indoor furnishings, and more.

Assisting in the acquisition were Cincinnati-based partners Katz Teller, Clark Schaefer Hackett and Charlotte-based partner Stump & Company.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

About Watson’s
Since 1968, Watson’s has grown from a pool store in Cincinnati to one of the nation’s largest retailers of home recreation products and home furnishings. Their stores feature outdoor furnishings, indoor furnishings, game tables, pools, spas, and more, all under one roof. Watson’s mission is to bring families together for fun, relaxation, and a break from the stress of daily life. Their vision is to bring creativity to the home furnishings and leisure industries, by providing leadership with cutting-edge products, innovation, and world-class customer service. For more information visit www.watsons.com.

About Viridien Patio + Fireplace
Viridien Patio + Fireplace is a Carolinas based specialty retailer founded in 1981 that has evolved from a single fireplace store into a regional leader in premium outdoor furniture, outdoor kitchens, and fireplace products. Formerly known as The Fire House Casual Living Store, the company rebranded as Viridien in 2022 to reflect its focus on elevated outdoor living, design expertise, and customer-centric service. www.viridien.com

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Industry News

POOLCORP Welcomes John Watwood as President and Chief Executive Officer

Seasoned distribution leader to drive POOLCORP’s next chapter of growth, deepening commitment to customers and supply partners

Published

1 month ago

May 14, 2026

Marianne Trusty

COVINGTON, LA., May 14, 2026 — POOLCORP, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and outdoor living products, recently announced the appointment of John Watwood as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Watwood joined the company in January 2026 as Executive Vice President and has quickly made an impact after spending much of his time in POOLCORP sales centers, meeting with customers, engaging with suppliers, and aligning closely with teams across the business. With extensive leadership experience in industrial and specialty distribution, Watwood brings a deep understanding of how to build high-performing teams, strengthen customer connections, and create long-term value in the industry.

Prior to joining POOLCORP, Watwood served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations at Motion Industries, a leading distributor of industrial parts and value-added solutions and a subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company. During his career, he has led large-scale sales and operations organizations focused on customer growth, supply chain excellence, and market expansion.

“John has gained the trust of our employees, customers, and suppliers in a very short period of time,” said Kenny St. Romain, Senior Vice President at POOLCORP. “He understands distribution at its core, but more importantly, he understands the value of relationships and the local support that our customers need. Our field teams have seen firsthand his commitment to listening, supporting our customers, and helping us continue to evolve our already successful service model. There’s real excitement across the organization about where we’re headed under John’s leadership.”

Watwood’s appointment marks the next chapter for POOLCORP as the company continues to invest in customer-focused solutions, sales and service excellence, operational capabilities, and technology-enabled experiences designed to help industry professionals grow and operate more efficiently.

“I’m incredibly honored to lead POOLCORP in an industry built on lasting partnerships, trust, and service,” said Watwood. “What has stood out to me most over the last several months is the passion of our people and the strength of our relationships. I am excited to build upon our incredible legacy and look forward to strengthening our support for the industry by deepening our customer and supplier relationships, and continuing to invest in the people, capabilities, and execution that make POOLCORP the best and most value-driven distribution partner.”

About Pool Corporation

POOLCORP is the world’s largest wholesale distributor of swimming pool and related outdoor living products. The Company operates approximately 455 sales centers in North America, Europe, and Australia, through which it distributes more than 200,000 products to roughly 125,000 wholesale customers, including pool builders, retail stores, and service professionals. For more information, please visit www.poolcorp.com.