6 Steps That Help
Hurricanes and storms can cause severe damage to your home, backyard, and pool area. With gale-force winds and torrential downpours, Mother Nature can do a serious number on both your pool equipment and water quality. After the severe weather passes and life is back to “normal,” here are a few steps that can help get you back in the water in no time.
1. Remove All Debris
The very first thing you should do after a storm or severe weather is to remove all debris that has settled in and around the pool. Skim leaves and debris from both the top and bottom of your pool. Concentrate on the larger debris first and make your way down to the smaller particles with a manual vacuum.
2. Clean Skimmer Basket and Pump Strainer
Next, make sure to clean out the skimmer basket and pump strainer. If you see any potential damage caused by the storm, do not turn the power back on to the unit. Immediately contact us at Parnell Pool and Spa to prevent further damage to your pool equipment.
3. Clean or Backwash Pool Filters.
Whether you have a sand filter, cartridges, or a DE system, it is worth your time to clean the filtration unit after a severe storm to remove large debris, small particles, and dirt. Take a look at our blogs on how to clean a cartridge and sand filtration system.
4. Check the Water Level
Excess water is one of the main problems that can occur during a summer storm. Heavy rainfall and flooding have the potential to ruin pool equipment and make water levels too high for the skimmer to work effectively. Make sure to bring the water level back down to where it is resting at ½ way between the skimmer. A word of caution…do not drain your pool after a storm.
5. Shock Your Pool
While your water may look clean and clear now that you have completed steps 1-4, there may still be a significant amount of potentially harmful bacteria and contaminants floating around in your pool water. If not addressed, bacteria and algae will begin to grow. Make sure to shock your pool water to raise the chlorine levels to combat this potential concern.
6. Check Your Water Quality
After any rain, make sure to circulate your pool water for at least 24 hours to remove any potential debris or bacteria. Then, test your pool water to make sure that it is properly balanced. The most important levels to address after rain are the pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness.
Need Help Testing the Water?
At Parnell Pool & Spa, our trusted specialists use only the best equipment and procedures to get a complete and accurate reading of your pool water. Our computerized Water Analysis System, BioGuard’s® ALEX®, provides results in an instant with step-by-step instructions. Bring us your water sample today and leave knowing every step needed to get your pool water safe and sanitary.
Contact Us Today
If you have a question about the proper running of your pool or spa, contact us or stop by our Fayetteville or Lumberton location anytime. While in the store, check out our products, purchase chemicals for your pool/hot tub, or get a specific question answered by one of our experts. Feel free to follow us on Facebook and Instagram as well.
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