How to Prepare Your Swimming Pool for Severe Weather - Hard Rain and Floods

Without the proper precautions, severe storms can cause a lot of damage to your pool. From debris to wild animals, there are many ways your pool can become contaminated. Even if you are lucky enough to receive no damage, it is also important to reactivate your pool safely. Follow these steps to reduce the likelihood of damage from storms and eliminate headache when cleaning up after.

Swimming Pool Preparation for Hard Rain and Floods:

Do not cover your pool. Although this seems like a simple solution for protecting your pool, it can lead to even more damage. Pool covers can be lifted out of your pool by strong winds or become damaged by flying debris. It’s much easier to rebalance and clean a contaminated pool after a storm than it is to deal with a cover full of water and debris, or to replace a damaged one.
Turn off power. Circuit breakers at the main electrical panel should be turned off. Pump motors, lighting, chlorinators, and heaters can be damaged by large amounts of water, so it is important to leave them off during the storm.
For fiberglass and vinyl liner pool owners, do not drain your pool. As tempting as it may be, the water in your pool provides the necessary weight to hold the pool in place. An empty pool can pop out of the ground during heavy rains, especially in areas where the water table is high.
Remove or secure yard and pool deck furniture. Give yourself plenty of time before the storm hits to store away your pool chairs, equipment, toys, and any other loose objects that could potentially damage your home. Regularly trim overgrown limbs to prevent rogue branches that might fall during bouts of high wind.
Balance your water chemistry and add necessary chemicals. It’s inevitable that your pool will accumulate debris during a storm and become contaminated, but you can pre-emptively add extra chlorine or “shock” to your pool and an algaecide to save yourself additional effort during the cleanup. Refer to the instructions for each product prior to use.
If your pool is enclosed in a screened area, create a vent if possible for wind to pass through to avoid damage to the screen and structure.

Swimming Pool Care After a Storm:

Remove major debris from your pool. Doing this as soon as possible prevents further contamination and avoids staining.
Don’t drain your pool. Check and balance your water chemistry. Shock your pool and run your filter until the water is clear. Do not allow anyone to swim during this time.
Dry your equipment. Before turning your power back on, make sure electrical equipment is completely dry before starting it back up or plugging it in. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions.