How Preparing Your Pool Count for Natural Disaster
Storms do not simply destroy houses; their impact on a swimming pool can also be equally severe. Hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes can rupture structures, ruin equipment, and bubble water.
Pool furniture, toys, and equipment should all be secured before the storm or catastrophe strikes. This makes them potential missiles during strong wind and flooding, damaging either the pool or surrounding property.
Pro Tip:Preparing for these kinds of events will save you time and money on repairs. Pool disaster recovery is much easier when you’ve taken steps in advance to protect your equipment, structure, and water quality.
How to Prepare Your Pool Before a Storm
Secure Outdoor Items
According to America’s Swimming Pool Company, it is important to ensure that you take the time to put away all items that are not securely fastened to the deck area. Please make sure to store any poolside furniture, floats, and other similar items in a safe and protected space.
When high winds occur, there is a significant risk that loose items can become airborne and act as dangerous projectiles, which can cause injury or damage to your property, the neighborhood, or even to your relatives.
Should I drain pool water before a storm?
According to the University of Florida, if a storm comes, the pool can hold a lot of water and overflow. When a storm brings heavy rain, the ground around the pool can get too wet. This extra water outside a partially drained pool might make it crack because of the weight.
Draining the pool may lead to leaks or serious plumbing problems, and it could also harm the pool’s electrical system, so it’s best to keep the pool full until the storm is over and the area is drained.
After the Storm: Pool Disaster Recovery Steps Clear your pool of large debris
This should be done promptly to prevent contamination and staining.
- Keep the pool filled.
- Test and adjust the water chemistry by shocking it, and make sure no one swims while this is happening.
- Make sure your equipment is dry.
- Before restoring power, ensure all electrical devices are fully dry before use.
- Check your owner’s manual for detailed instructions.
- Every disaster type demands a tailored approach.
Pool Care for Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
- Secure all outdoor items.
- Lower water levels to manage rainfall.
- Shut off all power and equipment.
- Use a high-quality cover if it is safe to do so.
Pool Care for Flooding
- Expect high contamination levels.
- Don’t drain completely (you can pop the pool).
- Remove muddy water carefully.
- Shock and filter for days.
Pool care for Wildfires
Post-Fire Cleanup Checklist:
- Be very careful in areas with active wildfires.
- Drain pool water if it may have toxins from smoke and ash.
- Do not swim in the pool after a fire.
- Plan more than one escape route, as wildfires can spread quickly.
- Use shock, flocking chemicals, and algaecides for cleaning after the fire is gone.
- Inspect all pool equipment during cleanup.
- Clean filters often.
Ensure pools with firehose pumps have relief valves to prevent damage from quick draining.
Pool care after earthquakes
If your pool or spa gets damaged in an earthquake, you might not notice obvious signs right away. You likely won’t see water streaming out and flooding your yard. Instead, check for more subtle signs like a slow drop in your pool’s water level. Also, you should look for cracked tiles, wet spots around your pool or spa, and any pool equipment that isn’t working correctly.
Pool Maintenance Throughout the Year
If nothing else works, prevention is the best cure, having a keen eye for spotting any visible signs of superficial damage to the pool during the inspections will give you an edge in swiftly spotting potential problem areas before they manifest into full-blown problems, so stop hesitating and contact your local pool pro.
FAQs About Natural Disasters and Pools
How do you clean a pool after flooding?
Remove all debris, partially drain if needed, brush thoroughly, vacuum to waste, shock with chlorine, balance pH, and run the filter continuously for several days.
Should you drain your pool before a hurricane?
No! Fully draining can cause the pool to pop out of the ground due to hydrostatic pressure. Instead, lower the level by 12–18 inches.
Is my pool equipment wildfire-proof?
Not really. Ash, smoke, and extreme heat can do serious damage to your pool equipment. To stay ahead, cover as much as you can, unplug everything, and stash away any portable parts. Once the fire passes deeply clean everything. You’ll earn serious brownie points with your future self by staying proactive.
How to Prepare for a Storm at Home?
Secure outdoor items like furniture, grills, trash bins, and pool equipment so they don’t get blown away. Stay updated with weather alerts. Have an emergency kit ready with water, food, medicine, flashlights, and batteries. Reinforce windows and doors and use storm shutters if possible. For your pool, lower the water level, unplug electrical parts, and cover it well. Make sure your family knows the emergency plan. Brownie points if you’re packed and ready to go.
