Refreshing your pool to a crystal-clear state after a flood can be quite challenging. Nature can be unpredictable, sometimes leaving us with unwelcome surprises. Floods, intense rainstorms, and dust storms can quickly cause chaos before you even have a chance to react.
A single storm has the potential to unravel the pristine beauty of your crystal-clear swimming pool. Heavy rainfall can wash mud and debris into the pool, disrupting the equilibrium of your pool’s chemical composition. In more severe cases, it can destroy your pool equipment.
Moreover, storms can give rise to unexpected hazards that compromise your safety. Thus, before attempting to rejuvenate your pool, ensure that both you and the pool surroundings are secure. With safety as the foremost concern, here’s a comprehensive guide to getting your pool back in shape after a storm hits.
Assess the Damage
The first step is to walk around your pool and assess the extent of the damage. Conduct a thorough examination to check for potential damage to your pool equipment, including the pool pump, filter, salt water pool chlorinator, and more. Following this initial assessment, shift your attention to the condition of the water. In the case of the water being very dirty, such as when the soil has been flushed into the pool, a heavy-duty flocculant may be required.
Clean Debris from the Pool
With the damage assessed, it’s time to start cleaning. Use a leaf skimmer or net to remove any debris floating on the pool’s surface. A pool leaf rake can help dislodge debris stuck to the floor. For small rocks or dirt, a pool vacuum cleaner can suction them. Always scoop out as much debris as possible to prevent your filter from getting overwhelmed.
Inspect and Clean the Filter
Your pool’s filter is critical for keeping the water clean, so inspect it next. Make sure there are no tears in the filter that could allow debris to bypass it. Remove any debris or dirt clogging the filter, and clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You may need to replace the filter media if it’s too dirty or damaged. A clean filter will remove particles and make your water sparkle again.
Balance the Water’s Chemistry
After cleaning up debris, test and balance your pool’s water chemistry. Stormwater can disrupt pH and chlorine levels. Use test strips or kits to check the pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels. Add salt or chemicals as needed to rebalance the water. Properly balanced water will prevent algae growth and contamination.
Shock the Pool with Chlorine
By shocking your pool, you’re adding enough chlorine to sanitise the water and destroy the buildup of chloramines. It can also help clear up cloudy water and kill pool algae growth if your pool is green. Before doing this, determine how much shock to add based on your pool’s volume. Run the pool pump and filter to circulate the shock treatment.
Make Any Needed Repairs
Now it’s time to make any necessary repairs after the storm or flood. Patch cracks or leaks with underwater sealants. Replace broken tiles or cracked fittings. Ensure that pool equipment like pumps, motors, drains, and electrical systems are in good working order after getting wet. Contact a pool service professional if repairs are beyond your skill level.
Wait for the Water to Clear
With debris removed, water balanced, and repairs made, all that’s left is to let the filter do its job. Run your pool pump and filter for extended hours to remove particulates. Don’t be surprised if the water is cloudy at first. With proper circulation and filtering, it should start clearing up within a few days. Be patient and let the filter work to refresh your pool.
Enjoy Your Renewed Pool
With the ultimate refresh process completed, go ahead and dive in! Getting your pool ready after a storm takes effort, but following these steps will restore your pool to its pre-storm glory. Be sure to continue monitoring water chemistry and cleaning weekly to maintain that refreshed, sparkling clean pool all season long.
