Hurricane Season Prep: Prep Your Pool
When a hurricane hits, every aspect of your property is at risk, including your pool. So, it’s important to consider the long-term and short-term hurricane season prep steps to keep your pool in good working order.
How to Prep Your Pool for a Hurricane
Pool season and hurricane season often go hand-in-hand. So, by taking appropriate steps to get your pool up and running for pool season, you’re also beginning the long-term pool prep for hurricane season.
Start the season with a pool safety inspection to ensure equipment is in good working order. Then, add water to fill the pool and properly treat it with chemicals. Finally, make sure that you are cleaning and treating the pool regularly.
When pool season begins, it’s also a good time to prep the yard. By keeping your pool oasis in tip-top shape, it not only looks beautiful, it also minimizes the risk of damage in the event of a hurricane. Keep trees trimmed, remove low-hanging branches, and update screened-in areas or fences to maximize wind escape.
When a Hurricane is Looming
When the radar shows a hurricane is looming, it’s time to take action to ensure proper short-term pool prep for hurricane conditions. Whether you have an in-ground pool or an above-ground pool, follow these same hurricane season prep steps.
Keep the Pool Filled
You shouldn’t empty the pool before the storm hits. The weight of the water in the pool helps keep the pool in or on the ground. If the pool were empty, you risk having an in-ground pool popping out or an above-ground pool floating.
Clear the Area
Do not cover the pool. Any pool covers must be removed. Also, ensure there are no loose items near the pool. Store away patio furniture, toys, and even unattached pool equipment, such as automatic pool cleaners.
Do not store items in the pool, as this puts the pool liner at risk and can potentially damage the items within the pool. Loose items can also be projected during a storm, so it’s best to store these items inside.
Once again clear debris from landscaping as part of your pool prep for hurricane storms. Trim dead or low-hanging tree branches. And secure any fences or outdoor structures.
Disconnect Power
Turn off circuit breakers at the main electrical panel. It is never safe to operate pool equipment during a storm. So, pump motors, lighting, automatic pool chlorinators, and headers will not need a power source.
Protect Pool Equipment
In the event of flooding, electrical equipment may become submerged and risk being permanently damaged. So, items such as the pool pump, time clock, light transformers, and pool heaters should be disconnected and stored in a dry place. If you choose not to disconnect the items, consider the best way to protect them from sand and water. Tie the equipment in place and cover it with waterproof plastic barriers.
Add Pool Chemicals
During a hurricane, it’s likely that excess stormwater and debris will enter the pool. So, another step for hurricane season prep would be to add chlorine pool shock before the storm to prevent contamination from these foreign substances. Adding a proper dose of algae control can also help eliminate organic contamination.
After the Hurricane
When you consider how to prep your pool for a hurricane, keep in mind the steps you take after a hurricane are equally important to the long-term functioning of your pool. Even after the storm, you should refrain from emptying the pool. The lift pressure from excess ground water can still cause your pool to pop or float. Debris should be removed by hand.
Before you restart the electrical equipment for the pool, remove any plastic covers and ensure everything is dry. If electrical power has not been restored, or if the equipment has been exposed to water, it’s best to call a licensed professional.
Once power is restored and pool water is cleared, test the water and add appropriate chemicals. It may be necessary to run the filter pump several hours each day to regain water clarity. Eventually, you will be able to return to normal daily cycles for your pool maintenance. When you follow proper steps on how to prep your pool for a hurricane, you can minimize the risk of pool damage and ensure the quickest return to sun-filled poolside days.
