How to Clean Your Pool After a Storm

Tropical storms, thunderstorms, and hurricanes are some of the things that can make owning a pool a challenge. Once the storm has passed, it’s time to clean up. Follow these simple steps to make cleaning your pool after a storm as easy as possible.

Steps to Cleaning Your Pool After a Storm

Since you already followed the steps from our previous post before the storm hit, your electrical should already be off. Please read the steps in order and do not turn on the power (pump and filter especially) until the right time.

Start with the Big Problems:

Take out any of the big debris that may have washed in. By hand (wearing gloves and being very careful) or with tools (without scratching your pool) remove any large branches, furniture, or other sizable debris from the water. After the big items are out of the way, it is easier for you to assess any damage.

Skim and Screen:

Using a rake, or net, clean out the smaller debris (like leaves and smaller yard waste) that is floating on the surface. Once most of this is cleared up, you’ll be able to notice any scratches, chips or other dings that may need professional repair. You should not turn on the filter yet!

Power Check:

Depending on the type of storm that hit your pool, you may need to check for water damage. Look at your motor to see if water may have gotten in. If it is dry you can proceed to the next step, if it looks like there is water damage in the electrical, you can contact a licensed, insured pool repair professional to take a look. Some recommend giving it 24 hours to dry, but if you would feel safer having a professional take a look, that is always an option.

Clean the Filter:

While the filter is still off, clean it out. It may be jam packed after the winds from the storm so be careful when cleaning it. Sharp sticks and who knows what else could be in there so always be cautious. Once the filter it clear, (and you are sure there is no electrical damage to the motor) you can turn on the pool pump and filter to run for the next 24 hours. Once your water has become clear and back to normal, you can return to your usual filter setting.

Scrub:

With the filter is running, scrub the floors and sides of the pool to lift it from the surface so the filter can collect it. Also, if you have a robotic pool cleaner, you can put it in the pool and let it get to work.

Shock and Awe:

While your filter is running, you can work on getting your water chemistry balanced. A lot of debris and contaminates have flown into your pool with the rain water, so your water balance may be way off. Until your water is back to normal, do not go swimming in your pool. To return it to normal, test the water and pay attention to the pH, alkalinity, calcium and conditioner. Some pool owners “shock” the pool with chlorine until it reaches around 10ppm. Then when it returns to 3ppm, they start to balance the water.

Watch:

Make sure that all of your pool equipment is running correctly. If you notice anything wrong, turn off the power and call a professional.

To look at some of our favorite pool pumps and robotic pool cleaners, click the links.