Pool Maintenance

Pool Care Following a Hurricane

Swimming pool with palm leaves | Pool Care Following a Hurricane Edgewater Pool & Spa Services

Knowing that your family and the status of your home are your priority following a hurricane, here are some tips for pool care as you enter that phase of hurricane recovery. Hurricanes can wreak havoc on even the most well-maintained pools. Keep in mind, the longer you wait to clean your swimming pool after a storm, the worse the conditions will be.

Do Not Drain Your Pool

It may be tempting to drain your swimming pool and start over with clean water; however, removing the water from your pool can be dangerous. You should never remove all the water from your pool when cleaning up after a hurricane. Emptying a pool after a large storm can cause your pool to “float” out of the ground due to an elevated water table. The best option is to clean the water currently in your pool, no matter how dirty if may look.

Remove Debris

Remove as much debris floating on the pool surface as possible. Never use your bare hands to remove the debris due to the bacteria that may be living in your pool water. Clean all the debris from your baskets and the bottom of the pool.

Restore Power

Before turning on the power to your swimming pool equipment, check for signs of water damage to your equipment. If everything is dry and looks normal, you should be fine to turn the power back on and start running your pool pump. If there are any signs of water or water damage, do not turn the power back on. Consult a pool professional or licensed electrician to check out your equipment. This will help prevent injuries and damage to your pool equipment.

Check Water Level

A good amount of water will likely have found its way to your swimming pool during the hurricane. Take out the excess water to bring the water level back to its normal level.

Balance Chemistry

Microscopic and harmful contaminants may be present even if the pool water appears clean, which can lead to algae and bacterial growth. Use a powerful pool shock to raise the chlorine level. Depending on how bad your swimming pool is, you’ll want to shock your pool two to three times the normal amount. Once the chlorine levels are stable, balance the water chemistry with an alkaline product. Continue testing and filtering your pool during this process.

Consult a Professional Pool Company

These are the basics for restoring your pool to a healthy status following a hurricane. Having a reliable and trustworthy company you can go to for all your pool needs will make all the difference. Contact Edgewater Pools today to get started!