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Summer storms can be a regular problem for pool owners. The severity of a storm will determine the different treatments required to keep your pool looking its best.
Most storms will expose your pool to additional leaves and dirt that can be blown in. But storms can cause hidden, potentially more dramatic problems – by increasing the amount of unseen organic matter to the pool. This includes algae spores and bacteria. And if that isn’t enough, storms also infuse massive amounts of nitrogen into the water, which provides a huge boost to algae growth.
Fortunately, as dramatic and destructive as this weather can be, there are some simple steps or responses you can undertake to correct any issues that may have arisen, and ensure your pool’s storm damage is on the scale of a teacup.
Bring the outdoors indoors
Whatever isn’t secured to the ground, can become a UFO (unwanted flying object) in a storm. Store the patio furniture, pool toys, pot plants and gardening equipment in your garage or somewhere secure. Not only can they get damaged, they can become projectiles that can cause costly damage to your pool, your garden and your house.
And, if you can, put the BBQ in the garage, but not the gas bottles. Try and secure them to something permanent far from the house. As a rule of thumb, if you can’t lift it, anchor it.
Keep the pool or spa topped up
You might think draining water before a storm is the way to prep – but no. Your pool will be equipped with overflows that will drain excess water.
Keeping your pool or spa filled helps them maintain their structure and helps them act more like a large solid object than a liquid.
A reduced water level can also induce ‘hydrostatic pressure’, which can actually lift a pool out of its foundations – a full pool will remain anchored.
Cut the power
In a storm, most potential damage to your pool will happen around the pump and its motor. So, if you know a storm is coming, turn off the circuit breaker to the pool equipment. If you can, securely wrap the equipment with a tarp or strong plastic.
Blue skies again?
Once it’s safe to go back outside, you’ll no doubt want to start enjoying your pool again. First of all, check your pool equipment before turning the power back on. If in any doubt at all, your local BioGuard Approved Retailer can make a quick inspection.
Then use a net and vacuum to remove all physical rubbish from the pool. If left to settle, you risk staining and physical wastes carry algae and bacteria.
Once you’ve removed the storm debris, speed up the clean-up by adding a little extra chlorine, appropriate balancers, and algaecide to your pool water. This will help to combat an increased level of pollutants in the water. We recommend using BioGuard MSA Extreme. It’s powerful enough to kill all types of algae in swimming pools.
You’ll also need to rebalance your pool water. We recommend pH levels sit at 7.2 – 7.6 and total alkalinity sits at 100 – 150 ppm. Test your water with BioGuard 6 in 1 Test Kit or take a sample to your local BioGuard Approved Retailer.
Shock your pool to fight off any contaminants the rain may have added. Use BioGuard Oxysheen to get your pool water crystal clear again.
Lastly, be vigilant. The pool has just undergone some serious chemical stress. Pay close attention to the water for a couple of weeks. If you see anything you don’t like, take a water sample to your local BioGuard Approved Retailer for a thorough check-up.
With these few simple tips, your pool ought to be safe from a storm, and save you from a hefty repair bill.
