With Hurricane Isaias potentially affecting our area this weekend, it’s a good time to review steps you can take to protect and prepare your pool before a tropical storm arrives. And as this hurricane season in Florida is expected to be a busy one, this information should be part of your preparedness plan throughout the 2020 season.
Here are some key steps courtesy of the FSPA for before, during and after a storm:
Before:
- Do not drain your pool – maintaining proper water levels provides important weight to keep the concrete shell in the ground. If the water level rises above your coping, do not be concerned. The water should drain off of your patio as usual over time
- Trim branches and remove any other potential threats to your swimming pool and patio
- Shock your pool – you may lose power for an extended amount of time, meaning your pool should be “super chlorinated” to maintain your pool’s water chemistry.
- Turn off all power at the circuit breakers before a storm hits. Any exposed electrical equipment such as motors for the pumps should be tightly covered with plastic wrap, and if your area is prone to flooding, attempt to remove whatever you can to higher ground.
- Remove any loose objects such as chairs, tables, pool equipment and even toys that can become dangerous projectiles in the high wind.
During:
- Do not use your pool directly before, during or after a tropical storm – lightning, high winds, falling branches and other dangers can happen at any time
- Wait until the storm has completely passed to check on your pool and assess any damage.
After:
- Do not immediately turn your pumps back on after the storm has passed
- Remove debris from the pool with a net, skimmer or pool rake – do not use your regular pool vacuum equipment or pool pumps as they are likely to clog the plumbing
- Before touching any electrical equipment after the storm, be sure that everything is dry. Make sure circuit breakers are still off before attempting to reconnect electrical equipment such as pump motors. Inspect wiring for proper connections. If electric motors have been exposed to water, they should be checked by a professional.
- Super-chlorinate your pool again, this will help to begin the process of getting your pool back into balance.
- If the water level rises above your coping, do not be concerned. The water should drain off of your patio as usual over time.
You can learn more about preparing your pool for a storm in our earlier blog post here. And we are always here to help. Our service technicians can ensure that your pool is protected during the storm and running smoothly all pool season long. Call us at 904-246-2666.