Hurricane Prep for Your Pool: Before and After the Storm

Do not drain your pool before a hurricane. Leave the water in, turn off the power at the breaker, bring loose furniture and equipment indoors or tie them down, and check the pool and equipment once the storm passes. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, so the best time to plan is before a storm is named.

Why should you not drain the pool?

Drain a pool on a high water table and the groundwater can lift the empty shell. Florida has a high water table, and storms raise it further. A full pool has the weight of its water to hold it down, and an empty one does not. Draining can also crack the shell or lift it, which is a repair no one wants after a storm.

The water also helps protect the surface from sun and debris. If someone suggests draining, ask a pool professional before you do anything.

Should you lower the water level?

Only if you are advised to, and only slightly. Heavy rain adds a lot of water, and a pool that is very full can overflow across the deck. Some pool professionals suggest lowering the level a little ahead of a major storm, if the forecast calls for a lot of rain. That is not the same as draining.

Because it depends on your pool, your drainage and your soil, call us if you are unsure. Never lower the level by a lot, and never use a pump to drain a pool without knowing the groundwater conditions.

How do you shut down the equipment?

Turn off the power to the pool equipment at the breaker. That includes the pump, heater, salt system, lights and automation. This protects the equipment from power surges and prevents the pump from running without water if the level changes.

1. Switch off the pump and the pool circuit at the breaker panel.
2. Turn off the heater and the spa blower.
3. Take the automation controller indoors if it is portable, and secure any remote parts.
4. Protect the equipment pad if you can, with the cover that came with it or a tarp tied down tight.

If you are unsure which breakers serve the pool, label them before the season starts.

What do you do with the furniture and loose items?

Wind turns lounge chairs, umbrellas, planters and toys into projectiles. Bring everything you can indoors or into a garage. Tie down what has to stay, and remove umbrellas, cushions, grills and decor.

Whether to put outdoor furniture in the pool is a debated question, and current advice varies. Some pool professionals say it keeps items from blowing away. Others warn it can scratch or stain the finish, break tile and coping, or damage the equipment. We do not tell anyone to do it. If you decide to, accept that risk and know that damage to the surface is possible. Indoors is always the safer place for your furniture.

Should you add chemicals before the storm?

Some pool owners add a dose of chlorine before a storm, since rain and debris dilute the water. A balanced, well-sanitized pool is easier to recover. Do not go overboard. Follow your service's advice, and do not store chemicals where water can get to them. Keep them sealed and up off the floor.

What should you do right after the storm?

Wait until the storm has passed and it is safe to go outside. Then walk the yard and look before you touch anything electrical.

• Stay away from downed lines and any standing water near them.
• Look at the equipment pad. If it was under water or soaked, do not turn the power back on. Have a qualified electrician check it first.
• Check the screens and fencing. A damaged enclosure or barrier may need attention before anyone uses the pool. See screen enclosures in Florida.
• Take photos of any damage for insurance before you clean up.

How do you clean up the pool?

Start with the big stuff: branches, leaves, roofing and trash. Use a net, and wear gloves. Empty the skimmer and pump baskets. Do not run the pump until the large debris is out of the water and the equipment has been checked.

Then test the water. Rain and debris change the chemistry, and the pool may be cloudy, green or full of organic matter. Balance the pH and alkalinity first, then shock the pool as needed and run the filter longer. Brush the walls and floor. You may need to clean or backwash the filter several times. If the pool looks bad, our weekly pool cleaning team can take over the cleanup and put you back on a routine.

What equipment should you inspect?

1. Pump and motor. Look for water inside the motor, rust or unusual noise on start-up.
2. Filter. Check for cracks, loose fittings and debris.
3. Heater and salt cell. Look for moisture, damage and clogged vents.
4. Lights. If any are flickering or cloudy, leave them off.
5. Controls and wiring. Look for scorching, corrosion or loose wires.
6. Tile and coping. Check for cracks, loose pieces and debris wedged in joints.
7. Water level. A sudden drop may point to a leak.

If anything looks wrong, leave it off and call. Our pool repair team handles equipment, lights, tile and coping. If the water level keeps dropping, see pool leak detection.

What about the weeks after?

Storm damage sometimes shows up later. Watch for a falling water level, unusual noises, cloudy water that will not clear, and new cracks. Keep your photos and notes. Tell your insurer promptly, and ask what they cover for pools and enclosures, since policies differ.

How can you prepare before the season?

• Know which breakers control the pool.
• Keep a list of what to bring in.
• Take dated photos of your pool, equipment and enclosure while they are in good shape.
• Have your service and repair contacts saved in your phone.
• Check your homeowner's policy for pool coverage.

We work in Orlando, Melbourne, West Palm Beach and down the coast to Miami. Call or text (689) 225-1200 with photos of any damage, and we reply within 1 business day.