How to prepare your pool for a hurricane

Before the storm

Don’t drain the pool

Keep the water at its normal level. The weight of the water holds the pool shell in place. With heavy rain, groundwater rises, and an empty or half-empty pool can crack or even lift out of the ground.

Turn off the power

Switch off the pump, heater, lights, salt cell and automation at the circuit breaker before the storm arrives, not just at the timer.

Protect the equipment

Wrap exposed pump motors and electrical equipment in plastic and tie it down. If your equipment area is likely to flood, have the pump motor disconnected and moved somewhere dry.

Add extra chlorine

Shock the pool a day or two before the storm. Rain, debris and days without the pump running all use up chlorine. Starting high gives you a buffer.

Clear the deck

Bring furniture, umbrellas, toys and the pool cleaner inside. Anything left out can become a projectile. If you have no room inside, plastic loungers can be set gently into the pool, but never put metal or glass in the water: both can chip and stain the finish.

After the storm

1. Check the equipment before turning power on. If anything was underwater, have it inspected first. Water and electricity don’t mix.
2. Skim out large debris with a leaf net before running the pump, so branches and leaves don’t jam the system.
3. Bring the water level back to normal if rain overfilled the pool, so the skimmer can work.
4. Clean the filter, then run the pump around the clock until the water clears.
5. Shock, brush and test. Bring pH, chlorine and alkalinity back into range.

If the pool turned green or the equipment won’t start, call Duff’s at (561) 223-1688. Green-to-clean service starts at $350.

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