In desert areas such as Arizona summer usually means lots of sunshine and heat which is perfect for people who enjoy water sports. But when those high temps kick up a sandstorm, it’s your cue to hit pause. Swimming during one isn’t just a gritty experience (literally); it also means extra work cleaning all that sand and debris out of your pool later.
If you live in a part of the country where sandstorms happen often, there’s a good chance your pool might be left covered in dust and debris once the storm passes. And while it might look like a total disaster, don’t panic; many people assume they’ll need to drain the pool or spend a fortune fixing it, but that’s rarely the case. With the right cleanup steps, your pool can bounce back just fine
Effects of dust storms on pool water
Dust storms introduce:
- Fine red or brown silt
- Organic materials such as pollen and seeds
- Tiny particles that slip through skimmer baskets
- Algae spores and phosphates
The outcome? A pool that looks cloudy or dirty, with reduced clarity and unbalanced chemical composition.
According to EPA, when a lot of dust and dirt enters a pool, fine sand and silt settle quickly. This creates a layer of sediment at the bottom and during a sandstorm, particles in the air do the same thing. They fall into your pool, making the water less clear. This can affect how the pool looks and how comfortable it is for swimmers.
Maintenance of the pool after a sandstorm
When a sandstorm comes around, it can dump a ton of sand, dust, and junk into your pool. This messes with the water quality and can cause filters to get blocked and pool gear to get messed up, rough sand bits can scratch your pool walls, and all the extra stuff can clog up your filter.
- Investing in a solid pool cover is a smart move to keep your pool safe from sandstorms.
- Make sure the cover is snug so nothing like sand or junk can get in.
- Secure loose stuff: When the wind gets strong, things like chairs and pool stuff can fly around and cause trouble. Keep these things inside to avoid messing up your pool and the area around it.
- Make sure your pool gear, like the pumps and filters, is all good and running smoothly if you keep the system in good shape. It’ll deal with all that sand and stuff much better.
- Grab a skimmer net and scoop up any big stuff floating on top of the pool when it’s safe. This will stop stuff from going down and causing more trouble
Pool Tip: After you’ve cleared out the big stuff, give the pool a good vacuum to get rid of the sand and tiny bits that have sunk to the bottom.
What to do after a sandstorm?
After a sandstorm, you gotta check and tweak your pool’s water stuff to make sure it’s all good. When you’ve got sand and stuff in the water, it messes with the pH and the whole chemistry, which can cause problems like algae popping up everywhere. Grab a pool test kit and check the water. If it seems wrong, please contact a pool professional as soon as possible.
Also take a look at your pool’s surfaces to see if there’s any scratching or damage from the sand. If you’re not sure how bad it is or what to do next, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with a free quote to fix cracks, scratches, and more.
Planning Ahead
Preventing an issue is just as important as dealing with an issue. It is important to plan to have a thorough pool cleaning scheduled, prior to the start of dust season. This means scrubbing the walls, cleaning the filters if necessary, vacuuming the skimmer basket, and adjusting the water balance.
You may also want to invest in a quality pool cover; a cover won’t stop all the dust, but it will keep dirt to a minimum.
Planning and tackling the issue can assist in providing a clean and safe swimming environment for you.
If you make an effort to prepare before the storm, clean up quickly afterward, and keep a check on your pool before you swim. You will be able to keep the pool a safe and fun experience for you and your family.
FAQ'S
1. How do sandstorms affect pool water?
Sandstorms carry fine dust, silt, pollen, algae spore pathogens, and other debris into the water, thereby clouding it and throwing off its chemical balance. These fine particles settle down at the bottom of the pool, clogging the filters or scratching the pool surfaces.
2. Do I need to drain my pool after a sandstorm?
Generally, after sandstorms, there’s no need to drain the pool water. Most of the problems could be tackled by vacuuming, chemical balancing, and filter maintenance unless the water gets heavily contaminated during the storms.
3. What kind of pool cover will be best for defense against sandstorms?
The cover should be heavy and tightly fitted. Mesh covers and semi-solid covers can help in restricting entry of dust while allowing drainage and ventilation, which lessens build-up and contamination.
4. How to clean a pool after a sandstorm?
Follow these steps:
- Skim off large debris.
- Vacuum the pool for sand and sediment at the bottom.
- Clean or backwash the filter.
- Test and adjust water chemical balance.
- Look for damage or scratches on pool surfaces.
5. What water parameters should I check after a storm?
Measure with a pool test kit for:
- pH parameters (ideal: 7.2-7.6)
- Free chlorine
- Total alkalinity
- Calcium hardness
Adjust these to rebalance the water for safety.
6. Can sand mess up my pool pump or filter?
Yes, sand will scratch surfaces, clog filters, and damage your equipment. There is an occasional storm; hence inspection, cleaning, and replacement of filters or pump baskets must be undertaken.
