Texas is no stranger to hurricanes and powerful storms. We’ve seen firsthand how high-powered winds and heavy rain can wreak havoc on our backyards, patios, and pools.
During a storm, your pool can be blasted by blowing debris and may even overflow if there’s a deluge of rain. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prepare your pool and yard for an impending storm.
How Can a Storm Damage My Pool?
Heavy rainfall or strong winds can upset a pool’s sensitive ecosystem in several ways. If there’s a torrential downpour, your pool may overflow, which will dilute the pool’s chemicals. The water quality can also be compromised by dust, dirt, sand, and other particles that are blown into the pool’s water.
Further, intense winds can blow larger debris into your pool. This can tear the liner, damage equipment like a pump or heater, or impact supporting structures around the pool like your fence.
How to Prepare Your Pool Before a Storm
You just got the alert that a hurricane is heading your way. Before the weather turns, here’s what to do with your pool to protect it as best as possible.
Do not cover the pool
You might be tempted to put your pool cover on to prevent debris from dropping into your pool. This would do more harm than good. Contaminants will still get into the water, and your cover could get ripped or damaged from any flying debris or fallen branches.
Store loose objects
Gather up anything that could be picked up by strong winds, such as lounge chairs, umbrellas, pool toys, and awnings, and store them away. For larger items you can’t put in a shed or garage, secure them as much as possible.
Some people think they’re outsmarting the system by throwing their waterproof-furniture into their pool. It can’t fly away if it’s submerged, right? Do not do this! The legs could scratch your pool, and the chemicals can damage the furniture.
Turn off gas and electricity to your pool
When it comes to power and water, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Turn off anything connected to your pool until the storm passes. This protects your pump, heater, lights, and other systems from surges and water damage
Shock your pool
While your chemical balance will likely get thrown off from the storm, administering a shock treatment before the storm can offer an initial barrier against bacteria and algae. Then, as soon as the storm has subsided, you can get chemicals back to their optimum levels.
Trim trees at the beginning of the season
Before getting into hurricane season, it’s smart to assess your trees and trim any dead or low-hanging branches. This will save you a lot of clean-up (and prevent possible damage) during the next big storm.
Do Some Pools Fare Better Than Others in Storms?
Of the three main types of in-ground pools—concrete, vinyl liner, and fiberglass—the soft vinyl liners have the highest chance of being punctured by falling debris in a hurricane or storm.
Concrete pools are more durable, but the tile or coping could be chipped or damaged from debris. Fiberglass pools have some of the fewest long-term risks, as the shell is resilient and stone is often used around the pool.
Choose FiberLux for Your Weather-Proof Pool
When you own a pool, you should be focused on cannonballs and sunbathing—not worrying about what to do with your pool during a hurricane or how it could be damaged.
At FiberLux Pools, we offer some of the most weather-resistant fiberglass pools on the market. Contact us today to see what a durable pool could look like in your backyard.