Hurricane Pool Preparedness

Living in Miami, hurricane season is a fact of life. With the potential havoc hurricanes can cause to swimming pools, we need to be proactive. As part of your Miami pool cleaning routine, it’s essential to prepare for hurricanes to protect your pool and ensure safety. Here are our expert tips on Miami pool resurfacing, cleaning, and renovation considerations in preparation for a hurricane.

Before the Storm: Miami Pool Resurfacing and Cleaning Tips

Start by trimming nearby trees and bushes to prevent debris from entering the pool and potentially damaging your Miami pool renovation efforts. It’s also wise to schedule regular maintenance with a reliable Miami pool cleaning company even before a hurricane is on the radar.

Keep Loose Items Stored Safely

Certain loose items like patio furniture, umbrellas, pool chairs, telescopic poles, large pool toys, and other loose equipment left in the open can seriously harm your property. Such items are even a threat in some of our thunderstorms! It is essential that homeowners secure all these loose items in an enclosed space until the severe weather subsides. Never throw these items into your pool! While this may prevent your patio items from blowing away during the storm, by throwing them into your pool, you risk cracking or chipping away the surface material of your pool. These cracks (even minor ones which you may not be able to see) can cause your pool to leak in the future. In addition, chemicals such as chlorine which have been added in your pool, can severely damage the patio furniture’s finish.

Finally, the removal of these items from your pool after the storm will be a mission of its own as most pools will turn black (from heavy amounts of sediment blown into the pool during the storm) and who wants to dive into a black pool!

Remove Your Covers

It is better to keep furniture coverings and solar blankets indoors with other loose items during heavy winds. If you own a portable spa, do NOT forget to lock the safety straps on your spa cover! And during bad storms, you should consider completely removing the unit and storing it in an enclosed space like a garage.

Check Pool Equipment's Electrical Connections

Much of South Florida is low-lying and thus subject to flooding. If there is even the slightest chance of your pool motor or pool salt system installation, could end up submerged, then it is essential to cut the electrical connection. Sandbag the area around any electrical equipment to prevent total submersion if possible. Covering the pool equipment securely, in a waterproof covering and tying it down will also help to mitigate potential damage from the storm. Failure to take any of the steps above will certainly send you searching for a Miami Pool Repairs company after the storm!

Monitor the Water Level

Depending on your pool’s location, an overflowing pool can present a major flood risk to your home. Therefore, when expecting significant rain or general inland flooding, you should decrease the water level of your pool to account for the additional water. Do not drain your pool completely. There are two main reasons: first, running a pool pump ‘dry’ can cause the pump to burn out its components, second what is known as “popping” or “floating.”  Again, you should never completely empty the pool as there is a chance of rising groundwater pushing your pool out of the ground! While this is a factor for built, inground pools, it is a SIGNIFICANT risk to installed, metal pools.

Check Your Pool Gas Heater

Turn the gas supply off if you have a gas pool heater! Gas leaks are common after a major storm and can be deadly! Additionally, if you had an electric Pool Heater Installation in Miami, make sure to shut the power off as mentioned previously.

Manage Your Pool's Chemical Levels

Before a storm hits, add extra chlorine to your pool and circulate the water in your pool as much as you can. Do NOT for get to turn off the power from the circuit breaker when the storm makes landfall. If you somehow fail to run your pool pump, a floating chlorinator can keep your pool sanitary and clean help prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. An algae bloom can be unsightly and damaging to your pool’s surface, but the good news is that it is preventable! Add a little extra of algaecide will stops algae growth from ruining your pool. Finally, by managing the pools chemicals, you can prevent it from becoming a mosquito breeding ground! Pool chemicals such as chlorine will likely kill any eggs laid on top of the water’s surface.

man checking pool chemical levels

Protective Fencing - Keep Your Child Safe!

If you have to remove any child protective fencing from your pool, MAKE SURE your child stays away from the pool. One way to do this is to keep your exterior doors locked after removing the protective fencing. Removing protective fencing should be one of your last steps in preparing your pool for a hurricane as it is easy to do and does not take much time.

Water Care After Hurricane

  • If you have the protective fences removed or damaged, replace or repair them to avoid ASAP.
  • To prevent the clogging in your pool pump or pool motor, it is essential to remove all the debris like leaves, mulch, branches, etc. from the pool before turning on the pump. If the water is murky or unclear, wear your shoes before entering as to avoid any foot injuries! Should you get a cut, disinfect, and sanitize it immediately.
  • Power loss during our storms is common. This is typically not a problem; however, issues often arise when the electricity is restored. Make sure to reset your circuit breakers and pump timers AFTER power is restored.
  • If you have covered your pool’s equipment or motor for the storm, make sure to remove it or any other protective wrapping to let the air flow. If you find your pool pump motor to be submerged, it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned and dried before turning it back on.
  • Return the pool to its previous water level. Clear your skimmer baskets, filters, grates, and pumps. Open valves to let water circulate properly after you turn on the pump.
  • Should you find our pool cloudy, add an extra amount of chlorine and circulate until the desirable clarity is observed. Clean the filter often. Make sure you clear the pool of debris beforehand!
  • Take a sample of your pool’s water to your local pool store or have your pool service company check it. After rain, keep your pool water circulating before taking a sample. This circulation will mix the rainwater and treated water homogeneously for an accurate reading.
  • Rebalance your pool’s chemical levels as soon as possible!

Miami Pool Renovation Considerations Post-Hurricane

After the storm, inspect your pool carefully. If the protective fencing has been removed or damaged, prioritize its repair. Remove all debris and restore your pool to its usual water level. Maintain your pool’s chemical balance to ensure it’s safe to use and won’t damage your Miami pool renovation.

Contact Alligator Pools

In conclusion, there are plenty of resources to which you should refer should you ever have a question regarding pool preparedness during hurricane season. 

Check out https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ or your local news station such as https://www.nbcmiami.com/weather/hurricane-season/ for the latest updates on your weather!

All of the pool water testing, trips to the pool store, and adding chemicals require a significant amount of time. Pool maintenance and the time it takes are among the most common complaints among families who have their own pools. You should spend your free time enjoying your pool, not trying to ensure that its chemistry is perfectly balanced. If you live in Miami Dade County, contact us today to get a free quote and learn more about how to prepare your pool for a hurricane. We provide services in Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay, and other surrounding cities.