Swimming Pools and Storms
Living in Florida, we need to prepare for Hurricanes and tropical storms. Here are a few things that you need to know. Swimming pools will go green fast. Fences around the pool may go down. Trees are known to fall into the pool. Furniture around the pool deck during a high breeze can cause the umbrella to open and the furniture to be tossed into the pool. Some of these things can all be fixed with a little bit of storm preparation. The weather channel can keep you informed of an approaching storm. Make the necessary preparations days in advance of an approaching storm, not when it is on top of the area where you live.
Storm Preparations
- When a storm is approaching, remove all patio furniture to a secure area and tie down. Glass tops should be put away in the garage.
- Backwash and Rinse the filter. Add an abundant amount of chlorine to the pool to help slow the growth of algae. The power company will turn the power off when the storm is close, so as not to have power lines down when people may still be moving around outside. The power will remain off until all neighborhoods have been inspected for down power lines. This could be days or even weeks. The chlorine you add may not keep the pool clear if the pool circulation is off for more than a few days.
- If you do not have an overflow built into the wall of the pool, you should remove 6" (no more) of water to prevent the pool from overflowing onto the area of the home. If the rainfall continues and the pool becomes full again, you can put the filter multi-port valve in the "Waste Cycle" with your discharge hose out and without power to the pump, this will cause a siphoning effect (sometimes) that will slowly remove water from the pool. Do not attempt to do this during the storm! The pool will be fine until the storm has left the area, even if it overflows. Always be careful of down power lines before going outside. Don't forget to put the valve back in the filter cycle.
- Remove the timer trippers on the pool pumps and auto-cleaner pump, if you have one. This keeps you in charge of the power should it come on and you have damage to the pool or equipment.
- Remove any pool toys from the water and surrounding areas and put them in a safe place.
