Hurricane season in Southwest Florida can bring high winds, heavy rain, and flying debris. Proper pool prep for hurricane conditions can help minimize damage, protect your equipment, and make cleanup easier after the storm. Here are some essential tips to know.
If flooding is expected, switch off pumps, heaters, lights, chlorinators, and other pool equipment at the main breaker.
If your equipment pad is in a flood-prone area, consider placing sandbags around it for added protection.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is emptying their pool before a storm. Water provides the weight needed to keep the pool in the ground.
A drained pool can shift, crack, or even “pop” out of the ground due to groundwater pressure.
Pro Tip: If your pool is flooded after the storm, assume it has been contaminated with foreign objects or debris. Have us remove debris and test the flooded pool to ensure chemicals are within normal limits. Do not get in your pool or spa!
Bring inside patio furniture, umbrellas, grills, toys, and other loose objects that could become dangerous projectiles during high winds. Never store objects in your pool.
If you have a pool cover, always leave it open. Extra weight and debris can damage your pool cover if closed during the storm.
Pro Tip: Before the storm, take photos of your pool and equipment for insurance documentation.
Heavy rain and debris can quickly throw off your pool’s chemistry. We advise adding the following amount of liquid chlorine to pool prep for hurricane conditions:
- 10,000 gallons – add minimum 4 gallons
- 30,000 gallons – add minimum 6 gallons
- 40,000 gallons – add minimum 8 gallons
In addition to chlorine, you should also add algaecide to prevent your pool from turning green. For pools under 10,000 gallons,add 6-7 ounces of algaecide. For pools over this capacity, double the dose to 13-14 ounces of algaecide.
If your pool relies on well points or a dewatering system, it’s important to have them professionally-inspected before restarting them after a hurricane.
Heavy rainfall can raise groundwater levels, and operating a well point system without first assessing site conditions could lead to equipment damage or create unnecessary pressure around the pool shell.
When in doubt, have us come evaluate the system to ensure it’s safe to operate before resuming normal pool maintenance.
At Classic Pools of Naples, we’ve seen it all and done it all. Contact us if you need assistance before or after a storm.
