Cleaning Up Your Pool After Severe Weather

When a hurricane or severe storm strikes, your pool can take a serious hit from high winds, heavy rain, and flying debris. Cleaning your pool after a hurricane is crucial to restore water quality, prevent damage, and protect your pool equipment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to safely clean and restore your pool after a storm—so you can get back to enjoying a safe and sparkling swimming experience.

Helpful Tips For Cleaning Up Your Pool And Patio After Severe Weather

• Immediately remove branches, mulch and other foreign matter from the pool before you run the pump to prevent clogging the suction lines. If you have to enter your pool to clear debris, make sure you wear shoes to avoid injury to your feet. Use a net to remove as much debris as possible so you don't clog your equipment. Be aware that wildlife may be present, especially if flooding conditions occurred.¹
• If you lost power during the storm, remember to reset your circuit breakers and pump timer(s) with an insulated tool when electricity is restored, taking care to make sure everything is dry. If you are unsure, contact an electrician.
• If any chemicals were compromised by rain or flooding, dispose of them properly.
• Remove any covering from the motor or other equipment to allow for airflow. If the pump motor has been submerged, it should be removed for professional cleaning and drying.
• Return the pool water to its proper level. Empty the pump and skimmer baskets and open the appropriate valves to allow water to circulate properly when the pool pump is turned back on.
• Super-chlorinate the pool and circulate continuously until clarity returns. Clean or backwash filters often, and recharge with new D.E. if applicable. There will be a higher volume of debris and particulate in the water than normal and your filter will need more attention for a few days. If the area was flooded there could be chemicals, fertilizers, oils, gasoline, sewage, or other contaminants present. 
• Bring a water sample to Pinch A Penny to have your pool water analyzed and re-balanced as quickly as possible. After any rain, circulate the pool for at least a couple of hours prior to collecting a sample. This will combine the chemically treated water with the rainwater to ensure an accurate sample.
• Inspect, repair or replace any screens, doors, fences or gates used to prevent children from entering your pool unattended post-storm.
• When your pool is clean and clear, resume normal operation.

Need help from the pros?

This is only a guide in regards to your pool and patio equipment. For more general information on storms and hurricane prep and clean up, please visit the National Weather Service Information Center.

1. Aqua Magazine; Cleaning Up Flooded Pools and Spas