What to Do With Your Pool After a Storm
Sydney summer storms can drop a lot of rain and debris into a pool in a short time. Rain dilutes the chlorine and changes the water balance, and leaves and dirt use up whatever chlorine is left. Left alone, a clear pool can turn green within a few days. Here is what to do once the storm has passed.
Stay safe first
Keep clear of the equipment if water has got into the pump, the control box or the power points. Have it checked before switching anything back on.
Check the pool fence and gate. Fallen branches can damage panels or hold a gate open.
Then get the pool back on track
Clear the surface. Net out leaves and debris before they sink.
Empty the skimmer and pump baskets. They fill quickly after a storm and starve the pump of water.
Check the water level. If the pool has overfilled, lower it back to the middle of the skimmer opening so it can skim properly.
Brush and vacuum. Dirt and leaves on the floor feed algae.
Clean the filter. It will be working hard, so backwash or hose it once the debris is out.
Test and rebalance. Rain usually lowers chlorine, pH and alkalinity, so test before adding anything, then bring the chlorine up.
Run the pump longer for a day or two until the water is clear again.
If it has already turned
If the water is already cloudy or green, it needs more than a top up. A green pool needs a proper shock treatment and a lot of filtering to bring it back.
Want a hand?
After a big storm our diary fills quickly. Get in touch and we will come out, clean up and get the water balanced again.