SWIMMING POOL HURRICANE PREPARATIONS

Pool Prep Checklist

1. Do Not Drain Your Pool– Many homeowners think it is a good idea to drain the pool in preparation for the impending flooding. This is not a good idea. If the ground is flooding you need all the weight of the water of a full pool to keep the shell and/or liner in place. Never drain your poolbelow halfway down the skimmer when heavy groundwater and flooding is expected. Once the pool reaches the top of the skimmer, then you can backwash until it reaches halfway down the skimmer. Do not forget towatch the level or you will endanger the integrity of your pool.
   *Please only go outside if it is safe to do so.
2. Do Not Drain Your Pool Equipment – Once again, the weight holds it down.
3. Landscaping – Trim any branches near the pool that may break during heavy winds.
4. Secure All Outdoor Furniture – Tie down or safely store pool umbrellas, chaise lounges, and any moveable outdoor furniture. If you have a vinyl liner you do not want items poking holes in your liner if blown into the pool.
5. Do Not Cover Your Pool – It is not recommended to cover your pool. Many times strong winds and tree branches damage even safety covers. Automatic covers are especially susceptible to damage. It is typically best to leave the pool uncovered and full of water.
6. Chemicals to Add Before the Storm – A properly balanced pool weathers the storm and can actually remain clear even with huge dilution of chemicals. Perfect pool water is much more forgiving than pool water that is already experiencing problems. Be sure to stock up on shock, and add algaecide, phosphate remover and an enzyme to ward off the pesky algae. If you have a chlorine pool make sure it has chlorine tabs, and salt pools have enough salt already in the pool water.
   
   LIST OF CHEMICALS TO ADD BEFORE THE STORM:
   ALGAECIDE
   PHOSPHATE REMOVER
   ENZYME
   CHLORINE SHOCK *Double your normal dosage and add additional shock after more than 10 inches of rain.
   
   
7. Pools Currently Under Construction – If you have a recently installed pool with concrete be certain you have laid sod around the concrete to prevent erosion from the rainwater. Heavy rainfall can cause erosion, pool shifting, and concrete cracking if sod was not placed against the concrete. *Make sure your pool is on your insurance policy.
8. Again, DO NOT PRE-DRAIN YOUR POOL!
   Above Ground Pools need the weight so they will not blow away.
   Inground Fiberglass Pools need the weight so they will not float away.
   Inground Vinyl/Concrete Pools need the weight so they will not cave in or float from excessive groundwater.