Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With temperatures climbing this week, some pool owners are ready to open up for the season, and one pool store owner anticipates a big crowd of swimmers getting supplies.
Todd Schupbach of Gary Pools and Leisure says the weather dictates how quickly people come in for pool supplies to start the season.
"In a nice, slow warmup, we end up with a steady trickle. [But] because it's been so cool and it's coming all at once, I am anticipating a tidal wave of people coming through the door," said Schupbach in an interview with WBEN.
Schupback says several items in high demand include chemicals to sanitize the pool when they take their covers off, sand for the filters to get those going, shock to kill any algae and bacteria that has formed in the pool over the closing season, and pH adjusters, as well as salt.
"The new salt generators have become extremely popular, and the people have to replenish any salt in the pool that may have been drained out for the winterization process," Schupback added.
Nowadays, the opening process for a pool doesn't take long, according to Schupback, taking about a day, and it's not as expensive as some think.
"We have a pool opening kit that's under $25, and it treats up to 10,000 gallons. So depending on the size of the pool, they may need a second kit, but not a big expense," Schupback noted.
With concerns over tariffs, Schupback says all the pool opening chemicals are produced domestically, so all the prices are exactly the same as they were last year.
As for a demand for new pools, Schupback says people are taking a look.
"I have hundreds of pools in stock that we are ready to deliver. The installation crews are out anywhere from a week to a month, depending on how dry the people's yard is, to be able to install the pool," Schupback said.
Temperatures could exceed 80 degrees by Wednesday.