by Nolan Guthrie, owner, Nolan's Pool Services
Living in Polk County means tropical storms are part of pool ownership. Even when a storm weakens before reaching Central Florida, heavy rain, strong wind, power outages, and debris can create problems for your pool.
The good news is that a little preparation can make post-storm cleanup much easier. The important thing is to focus on the steps that actually help: and avoid the advice that can create more damage.
I’m Nolan, and this is my straight-talking checklist for preparing your pool before a tropical storm, protecting it during the storm, and getting it back in shape afterward.
Before the Storm: Prepare the Pool and Equipment
If a tropical storm is expected to affect Polk County, start preparing as soon as you have a reasonable window. Waiting until the rain and wind arrive makes every step more difficult and less safe.
Lower the Water Level Slightly
Heavy rain can quickly raise your pool water level above the normal operating height. If the pool overflows, water may run toward your home, deck, landscaping, or equipment pad.
You can lower the water level modestly before the storm, usually several inches below the normal waterline. Many pool owners aim for roughly 6 to 12 inches, depending on the storm forecast and the amount of rain expected.
Do not drain the pool. An empty or nearly empty pool can be damaged by high groundwater. In Florida, groundwater pressure can cause a pool shell to lift, shift, crack, or “pop” out of the ground. That is a much bigger problem than temporary overflow.
If you lower the water, use the filter’s waste setting or a suitable submersible pump. Do not lower the level below the point where the pump could run dry later. If you are not familiar with your equipment, it is better to ask for guidance than to guess.
You can find more general information about Florida pool ownership and protecting your investment in our pool care resources.
Clean the Baskets and Filter
Before the storm, empty the skimmer basket and pump basket. If you have a cartridge filter, clean it if it is due for maintenance. If you have a sand filter, backwash it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Starting with clean baskets and a clean filter gives the system a better chance of handling leaves and small debris after the storm. It also reduces the chance of a clogged basket or restricted flow when you restart the equipment.
Balance the Water and Super-Chlorinate
Rainwater can dilute chlorine, while leaves, dirt, and organic debris can consume it. Warm standing water can also become a breeding ground for algae.
Before the storm, test the water and correct obvious pH and alkalinity problems. If the pH is out of range, chlorine will not work as efficiently as it should. Then super-chlorinate or shock the pool according to the product label and your pool’s water volume.
Some pool owners raise free chlorine to approximately 10 to 12 parts per million before a significant storm, but the correct amount depends on the product being used and the pool itself. Do not pour in extra chemicals just because a storm is coming. More is not always better.
The goal is to give the water some protection before the rain and debris arrive: not to create a chemical imbalance that will be difficult to correct later.
Our water chemistry guide has more information about testing and balancing pool water.
Secure Loose Items Around the Pool
Remove or secure anything the wind could move:
- Patio furniture
- Umbrellas
- Pool floats and toys
- Cleaning poles and nets
- Small planters
- Outdoor decorations
- Trash cans and loose yard equipment
Do not throw furniture or loose items into the pool for “safe storage.” That can damage the finish, clog the circulation system, and create additional cleanup work.
Store removable items indoors whenever possible. Check gates, screen doors, and enclosure components as well, but do not put yourself at risk trying to make major structural repairs right before a storm.
Turn Off Pool Equipment Only If It Is Safe
Before strong winds, lightning, or flooding arrive, turn off the pool pump, heater, salt system, automation equipment, and pool lights at the appropriate breakers: provided you can do so safely.
Do not stand in standing water while accessing an electrical panel. Do not handle electrical equipment with wet hands. If the panel or equipment area is already wet or flooded, stay away and contact a qualified professional.
Turning off equipment at the breaker is safer than relying only on a timer. Lightning, power surges, and repeated power interruptions can damage motors, control boards, salt cells, and other components.
Once the storm begins, do not run the pump during lightning or flooding. A pool can wait. Your safety cannot.
What Happens to a Pool During a Tropical Storm?
Understanding what is happening in the water makes post-storm decisions easier.
Debris Enters the Pool
Leaves, branches, roof material, insects, and yard debris can end up in the water. Organic debris uses up chlorine as it breaks down. Large branches can also damage the pool surface, skimmer, cleaner, or circulation equipment.
If your pool has a screen enclosure, it may catch some debris, but it will not keep everything out during strong wind.
Rain Dilutes the Chemicals
Heavy rain adds a large amount of relatively untreated water to the pool. This can lower the chlorine concentration and affect pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and salt levels.
The exact change depends on how much rain falls and how much debris enters the water. That is why testing is more reliable than guessing.
Power Loss Stops Circulation
If the power goes out, the pump and filter stop circulating water. That is not automatically an emergency. The bigger concern is turning equipment back on before checking for flooding or damage.
When circulation stops in Florida’s warm weather, algae can begin developing quickly: especially if chlorine has been diluted and the pool contains leaves or other organic material.
pH and Alkalinity Can Shift
Stormwater, debris, and dilution can change the water balance. The pH may move outside the ideal range, and alkalinity may need adjustment.
Do not add multiple chemicals at once without testing. Make one correction at a time, allow the water to circulate, and retest. That approach is slower, but it is more accurate and helps prevent overcorrecting.
Warm, Still Water Can Turn Green
A pool does not usually turn green the instant a storm passes. It often happens over the next several days when warm water, low chlorine, debris, and poor circulation combine.
If the water starts looking dull, cloudy, or green, act early. Early green pool algae treatment is generally more manageable than waiting until the pool becomes heavily contaminated.
After the Storm: Recover in the Right Order
Once the storm has passed, resist the urge to turn everything on immediately. Start with safety.
1. Check the Area Before Touching Equipment
Look for standing water, exposed wiring, damaged conduit, loose electrical covers, fallen branches, and visible damage to the pump, filter, heater, or automation equipment.
If any equipment or electrical component was submerged, do not energize it. Arrange an equipment evaluation before restarting it. Water damage is not always visible, and turning on flooded equipment can create a serious shock or fire hazard.
Do not enter the pool if nearby electrical equipment or wiring appears damaged.
2. Remove Large Debris First
Use a pool net or leaf rake to remove branches, leaves, and other large debris before restarting the pump. Check the skimmer and pump baskets and clean them again.
Running the pump with a basket packed full of debris can restrict water flow and place unnecessary strain on the system. If there is heavy mud, silt, sewage, or other contamination in the pool, stop and seek professional guidance rather than trying to solve it with chemicals alone.
Most importantly, do not drain the pool as a first response.
3. Restart Equipment Only When It Is Safe
Once the equipment area is dry and there is no visible electrical hazard, restore power according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have any doubt about the condition of the system, arrange an equipment evaluation first.
After safe circulation is restored, the pump may need to run longer than normal: sometimes continuously for a day or two: to help clear the water. Keep checking the baskets and filter because storm debris can load them quickly.
Our pool equipment care resource covers basic equipment concerns and maintenance.
4. Test and Rebalance the Water
Test the water before adding more chemicals. Check at least:
- Free chlorine
- pH
- Total alkalinity
- Salt level, if you have a saltwater pool
- Calcium hardness when needed
Bring the water back into the appropriate range gradually. If chlorine is low and the water is cloudy or beginning to turn green, a second shock treatment may be necessary. Follow the product label and base the amount on current test results.
Do not automatically double or triple the shock dose after the storm. Over-shocking can waste money, damage some pool surfaces or equipment, and make the water difficult to use safely. Proper pool chemical balancing is more effective than guessing.
5. Watch for Algae Over the Next Several Days
A pool may look acceptable immediately after cleanup and still develop algae later. Continue checking chlorine and water clarity for several days.
Watch for:
- Green tint in the water
- Cloudiness
- Slippery walls or steps
- Green spots in corners
- Weak circulation
- A filter that becomes dirty unusually quickly
If the pool starts turning green, prompt green pool algae treatment can prevent the problem from becoming much more involved.
Homeowners looking for dependable pool cleaning in Lakeland, FL or pool service in Winter Haven can contact Nolan’s Pool Services for honest guidance. We will tell you what the pool actually needs instead of recommending unnecessary work.
A Simple Polk County Storm Checklist
Before the storm
- Lower the water level modestly if heavy rain is expected.
- Do not drain the pool.
- Clean skimmer and pump baskets.
- Clean or backwash the filter as needed.
- Test and balance the water.
- Super-chlorinate or shock according to the product label.
- Secure or store loose items.
- Turn off pool equipment at the breaker only if it is safe.
- Do not run pumps during lightning or flooding.
After the storm
- Stay away from flooded or damaged electrical equipment.
- Remove large debris before restarting circulation.
- Check baskets and filter pressure.
- Arrange an equipment evaluation if anything was submerged or damaged.
- Test the water before adding more chemicals.
- Rebalance pH, alkalinity, and chlorine gradually.
- Run the pump longer while the water clears.
- Watch closely for green algae over the next several days.
- Do not over-shock or drain the pool without a valid reason and professional guidance.
The Takeaway
The best tropical storm pool preparation is practical: lower the water level a little, keep the pool full enough to protect its structure, secure loose items, shock before the storm, and shut down equipment safely.
Afterward, remove debris first, inspect the equipment area, test the water, and correct the chemistry based on actual results. Never run pool equipment during flooding or lightning, and do not drain the pool just because it overflowed or looks dirty.
Good pool maintenance in Florida is not about adding the most chemicals or doing the most work. It is about taking the right steps in the right order and knowing when a problem needs an honest evaluation.
We're here to help! Give us a call at 863-242-6260 or contact us.
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