Helping Your Swimming Pool Ride Out a Hurricane

Hurricane season runs from approximately June to November in Central Florida. If you have a swimming pool, there are several ways you can prepare it after you hear a forecast of high winds that could turn into a destructive hurricane.

Pool Works Pools & Spas of Auburndale, FL, would like to share some tips for getting your pool ready for a possible hurricane. Remember: these tips are for before the weather event starts, preferably not during it.

Don’t completely empty the pool

Pressure from groundwater can damage an empty pool. It’ll be of no value to save yourself the work of cleaning debris out of the water if the pool’s surfaces become cracked or otherwise damaged.

Trim trees and shrubbery

If you have enough time, trim back tree branches and shrubbery close to the pool to keep broken sections from blowing into the water.

Turn off pool electricity

Turn off circuit breakers that serve the pool’s motor, lighting, automatic chlorinator, heater and other electrical equipment. Also, use sturdy plastic material to wrap electrical parts to prevent storm debris from getting into them.

Clear off the deck

Move chairs, tables and other heavy, non-secured items into a place where the wind won’t blow them around.

Treat the water before the storm

When you expect strong winds, add a pool shock mixture and make sure there are sufficient algae control chemicals to combat potential contamination brought by the storm.

Leave the pool uncovered

The water might collect all kinds of junk from a storm, but it’s better than heavy debris landing on the pool cover and destroying it.

Close gas lines

If your pool has a gas heater, turn off the gas lines connected to it.

First and foremost, be safe

These preparedness tips are important, but your safety is far more important. If a hurricane has started, don’t try to brave it and run around outside doing pool storm prep. Best to let the storm do what it will and deal with the results later in a state of good physical health.

After the storm has passed

When the hurricane or strong winds have passed, there are a few things you should see to as soon as possible to get your pool up and running again. Here’s a checklist.

• Clean debris from the water before restoring electricity to the filter and other pool components.
• If you enter the water to remove litter, wear shoes for protection.
• If necessary, reset circuit breakers and the pool’s pump timer.
• Remember to remove protective coverings from pool components before getting them running again.
• Clean out the skimmer baskets and open the valves to allow water to circulate efficiently after the pump is turned on.
• Circulate the water for several hours and then do a water test. Optimize all chemical levels.
• Keep an eye on your pool filter if the storm blew a significant amount of debris and particulate matter into the water.
• Perform an end-to-end inspection to spot damage to components and the pool’s surface.

Maintaining your pool before and after hurricane season

Pool Works is here to help keep your swimming pool in great shape all year long, no matter what the seasons here in Central Florida may throw at us. We provide complete cleaning, water testing, component repairs, pool resurfacing and everything else you need for a spectacularly beautiful pool.

Learn more about our professional pool services by giving us a call or reaching out through our simple contact form.