Hurricanes wreak havoc on people’s properties. Even if your house may have not been damaged, you can’t say the same for your garden or your swimming pool. Here are a few tips to try and get your swimming pool back to normal.
First, don’t empty your pool! It may seem tempting to just get rid of all the dirty water, but when there’s still water in the area, you’ll end up contributing to even more mess. Instead, drain just to a normal level and use your skimmer to start cleaning. If you do deem draining necessary, only drain a little bit at a time. Again, your pool water will just become excess water to the saturated roads and land.
Second, remove your debris. Clean out debris from the pool thoroughly as soon as possible to prevent it from staining the finish. Remove large objects by hand and use a pool rake or skimmer net to remove smaller debris from the pool. Do not attempt to use the pool’s vacuum system for large debris that is likely to plug the plumbing.
Third, wait to power up. Don’t reconnect the power until all debris is removed and you are sure there is no damage to the electrical system. Make sure all electrical components of your swimming pool equipment are completely dry (at least a good 24 hours) before they are powered up again. If you suspect electrical damage, or were not able to remove your pool equipment before the storm, call an electrician or pool service provider to inspect your pool and equipment before turning the system back on. Water and electrical damage can be fatal very quickly, so if you’re in doubt, always wait it out.
Last, sanitize your pool. To properly sanitize your pool and prevent staining, only drain the excess water to mid tile line (or mid skimmer) so that the skimmer can help clean the surface of the pool. Once the debris has been removed, super-chlorinate (shock) the pool as you did before the storm, and then make sure your water chemistry is balanced by completing a water test. Don’t allow anyone to use your pool right before super-chlorination, or for at least 48 hours afterward. Run the filtration system for 24 hours each day until the water becomes clear. When the water has attained proper clarity, reset the time clock for a normal daily cycle.
While hurricanes can have severe, long-lasting damage, it’s good to do what we can to get back to normal.