Cleaning your pool after a Hurricane or Tropical Storm

Now that the storm has passed, here are a few tips for cleaning your pool after a storm.

1) Do not drain your pool. Just like before the storm, you don’t want to drain your pool. Even if there is a lot of debris, sand and dirt. The water table is still high and this could cause your pool to pop out of the ground.

Pro Tip: When you are dealing with excessive ocean contamination or some other situation, such as extensive pool damage that may require you to drain your pool, it’s best to contact a professional.

2) Remove debris and skim the pool surface. Using a skimmer or pool net, clean all of the leaves and debris from your pool.

3) Clean your skimmer and pump strainer baskets. Before turning your pump on, it’s best to clean out your pump strainer and skimmer to remove any debris from the storm.

4) Check your pump and electrical equipment before restoring power. You’ll want to remove any plastic coverings to check for water damage. If everything looks dry and normal, it should be ok to turn on the power and start running your pool pump. Any sign of water damage, and you should consult a professional.

5) Clean and backwash the filter. Most likely your filter will need to be cleaned or backwashed due to the amount of sand, dirt and debris that has accumulated. You may even need to do this several times.

6) When pool water levels are high, you’ll want to reduce it to normal levels.

7) Vacuum and brush your pool walls and floor. You’ll want to remove the particles that have gathered on the walls and floor of the pool. If your equipment allows, it’s a good practice to vacuum your pool to waste, as the amount of debris can clog your filter. If your water levels are in the normal range, you’ll want to add water with a garden hose as you’re vacuuming. If you’re unable to vacuum to waste, keep an eye on your pressure gauge to make sure it doesn’t get too high. This indicates a dirty or clogged filter and you’ll need to backwash or clean your filter. Repeat the vacuuming process until your pool water is clean and nearly clear.

8) Balance the water chemistry and shock your pool. With the pump running, begin balancing your water chemistry starting with Total Alkalinity. You’ll also want to kill any micro bacteria by shocking the pool to prevent algae growth.

9) Run the filtration system until the water is clear. It may take several days, but it’s important to keep your system running throughout the cleanup process and until your pool water is clear. Be sure to check the skimmer, filter and pressure gauge regularly to prevent any clogs and keep your equipment running smoothly.

As always, when you have questions reach out to us or stop by our showroom for assistance and advice.