Hurricane season is upon us. As your local pool company, we have gathered our years of experience to put together information to help prepare your pool for any storm. Our goal is to support you in ensuring your swimming pool and deck areas are properly prepared, minimizing damage and ensuring a swift recovery.

 

Do Before a Storm:

1 Week Prior:

  1. Remove or secure any and all loose items on the pool deck, including safety equipment, to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
  2. Trim trees and shrubs around your pool area to reduce the risk of falling branches and debris.
  3. Inspect your pool fencing for any damages or weaknesses. 
  4. Increase the chlorine levels in your pool to maintain sanitation.
  5. Inspect and secure pool covers to ensure they are in good condition and fastened securely to prevent them from becoming flying objects.
    1. Commercial properties should coordinate with their management team to reinforce covers if necessary.
  6. Test all backup power sources for essential pool equipment, including pumps and filtration systems.
    1. Arrange for refueling or maintenance of backup power sources, consider potential supply chain disruptions during severe weather.

2-3 Days Prior:

  1. Add extra shock treatment to the pool and circulate the water.
  2. Ensure auto-fills are shut off, and drain the pool down a few inches (NOTE: DO NOT do this yourself, draining needs to be done by a professional and is done on a case-by-case basis).
  3. Shut off electricity to all pool motors, chemical feeders, and heaters at the breaker. Make sure sump pumps remain operational.
  4. Remove or secure furniture, tables, umbrellas, and other deck items to minimize potential damage. Stack furniture near buildings, but away from windows, and turn tables over.
  5. Store lightweight items such as trash cans and cleaning equipment in bathrooms, guard rooms, or pump rooms. Do NOT throw furniture into the pool.
  6. Ensure all deck drains are clear and functioning properly.

Post-Storm Cleanup:

  1. The first step is to remove any debris in and around the pool. Large debris like tree branches and sand might require professional assistance for removal. In severe cases the pool may need to drained and cleaned with a light acid wash, PLEASE allow your pool professional to take care of this if it is required.
  2. Check all pool equipment for damage. Clean and dry before turning the power back on.
    • Turn on the autofill when debris is cleared
    • Test water chemistry, and shock the pool as necessary
  3. Restart pump systems only after the pool is cleaned. If pumps are non-operational, manually feed chemicals until the system is back online, and reach out to us for assistance.
  4. You will need to clean filters more frequently until the pool is free of debris and water chemistry is balanced.

As your dedicated pool support staff we have prepared this plan to protect your swimming pool and deck areas before, during, and after a storm.