Storm Prep 101: How to Protect Your Pool During Stormy Weather
As a pool owner, watching storm clouds roll in can be stressful. You’ve invested time and money into creating your backyard oasis, and the last thing you want is for Mother Nature to undo all your hard work. At Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas, we understand that your pool is a significant investment. That’s why taking the right steps for pool protection before, during, and after a storm is crucial.
Severe weather can bring high winds, heavy rain, and debris that can wreak havoc on your pool’s structure, equipment, and water chemistry. However, with a little preparation, you can minimize damage and get back to swimming sooner. This guide walks you through the essential steps to safeguard your pool when stormy weather is on the forecast radar.
Before the Storm: Preparation is Key
The most critical phase of pool protection happens before the first drop of rain falls. Once a storm watch or warning is issued, it’s time to take action.
1. Secure Loose Items
High winds can turn innocent backyard items into dangerous projectiles. Look around your pool deck and patio. Anything that isn’t bolted down needs to be secured or moved indoors. This includes:
- Patio furniture and cushions
- Pool toys and floats
- Cleaning equipment (nets, poles, vacuum hoses)
- Potted plants
- Grills and BBQ equipment
Moving these items into a shed, garage, or even inside your home prevents them from being blown into the pool — where they could damage the liner or finish—or worse, through a window.
2. Turn Off Electricity
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, especially during a storm. To protect your expensive pool equipment from power surges or water damage, head to your circuit breaker. Turn off the power to the pump, motor, filter, heater, and any underwater lighting systems.
If you have a gas heater, it is also wise to shut off the gas valve. Taking these precautions can save you thousands of dollars in repairs if lightning strikes or if the area floods.
3. Trim Overhanging Branches
Trees are beautiful providers of shade, but they become liabilities in high winds. If you have trees with branches extending over your pool or equipment area, trim them back. Weak or dead branches are likely to snap during a storm. If they land in your pool, they can tear liners, crack concrete, or damage plumbing.
4. Manage Water Levels
There is a common misconception that you should drain your pool before a storm to prevent it from overflowing. Do not drain your pool completely. The water inside the pool provides weight that holds the pool shell in the ground. If you drain it, the rising groundwater table caused by heavy rains can actually push the pool out of the ground—a phenomenon known as “floating” the pool.
Instead, lower the water level by only one to two feet. This creates a buffer zone to accommodate heavy rainfall without causing the pool to overflow, while still keeping enough weight to keep the structure grounded.
5. Balance Water Chemistry
Storms bring more than just wind; they bring contaminants. Rainwater is often acidic and can dilute your pool chemicals, while debris introduces organic matter that algae love. Before the storm hits, test your water.
Balance the pH and alkalinity, and consider adding a “shock” dose of chlorine or a high-quality algaecide. This preemptive strike helps fight off the bacteria and algae that usually bloom after a heavy downpour.
6. Cover Equipment
While your pool pump and filter are designed to be outdoors, they aren’t built to withstand flying debris or torrential flooding. Cover your pump, motor, and heater with heavy-duty waterproof tarps. Secure the tarps tightly with bungee cords or ropes so they don’t blow away. This adds an extra layer of defense against moisture intrusion and physical impact.
7. To Cover or Not to Cover?
This might seem counterintuitive, but leave your pool uncovered. Do not place a standard pool cover over the water.
In high winds, falling branches and heavy debris can easily puncture a pool cover. If a heavy branch lands on a covered pool, it can drag the cover into the water, potentially ripping the anchors out of the concrete deck or damaging the coping.
It is often easier to fish debris out of the water after the storm than it is to replace an expensive safety cover and repair your pool deck.
After the Storm: Assessing and Cleaning
Once the stormy weather has passed and it is safe to go outside, it is time to assess the situation and start the cleanup process.
8. Remove Debris Immediately
Grab your skimmer net and start removing floating debris like leaves, twigs, and bugs. The longer organic matter sits in your pool, the more likely it is to stain the pool finish and consume your chlorine.
Check the skimmer baskets and the pump basket. They are likely packed with debris. Empty them out to ensure water can flow freely once you turn the system back on.
9. Restore Circulation
Once you are confident the electrical components are dry and undamaged, turn the power back on at the breaker. Run the pump and filter continuously. Circulation is vital to filtering out fine particles and distributing chemicals. Watch the pressure gauge on your filter; you will likely need to backwash or clean the filter cartridges sooner than usual due to the heavy load of dirt.
10. Test and Rebalance
Heavy rain will have altered your water chemistry. It likely lowered your pH and alkalinity and wiped out your chlorine residual. Test the water immediately.
- Adjust pH and Alkalinity: Bring these back to the ideal ranges (pH 7.4-7.6).
- Sanitize: You will likely need to shock the pool again to kill off any bacteria introduced by the storm runoff.
- Run the System: Keep the pump running until the water is clear and the chemical levels are stable.
Protect Your Investment with Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas
Dealing with stormy weather is an inevitable part of owning a home, but it doesn’t have to spell disaster for your swimming pool. By securing loose items, powering down equipment, and managing your water levels, you can prevent significant damage. Remember, the goal of pool protection is to keep your structure safe and make the post-storm cleanup as manageable as possible.
If you need supplies to prep for the next storm, or if you need help getting your water back in balance after heavy rains, we are here to help.
Contact Aqua Leisure Pools and Spas today for all your chemical, equipment, and maintenance needs. Let us help you keep your pool swim-ready, rain or shine.
Posted by Aqua Leisure Pools & Spas in Pools