How To Care for Your Pool after a Summer Storm

Cleaning your pool after a summer storm doesn't have to be difficult! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it.

If you live in Australia, you know a summer storm won't pass you by without leaving some mess behind. While the storm’s passing may bring a sense of relief, it’s essential to care for your pool after a summer storm to ensure it stays clean, safe, and ready for use. From clearing debris to checking water chemistry, taking the right steps can help your pool recover quickly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to get your pool back in shape after a storm.

Things You Can Do Before the Storm Hits

Preparation is half the battle, so if you know that a storm is coming, the best thing you can do is take steps to protect your pool in advance. One of the reasons you need a pool cover is to shield your water from debris, fallen branches, and dirt that could otherwise cause major cleaning headaches after the storm. A durable, weather-resistant cover will help keep your pool clean and reduce the amount of post-storm cleaning needed.

In addition to covering your pool, you should consider securing any loose items around your pool area, such as pool furniture, toys, or outdoor decorations, which could be blown into the water. If possible, lowering the water level slightly before the storm can also help prevent overflow and debris from getting trapped in the skimmer or pump basket. The point is to minimise the impact of the storm, making the cleanup process smoother once the weather clears.

Now, let's move on to what you should do immediately after the storm hits.

First Things First - Don’t Drain the Pool Right Away!

After a summer storm, you might be tempted to drain the pool to remove the dirty water, but it’s important to resist the urge to empty your pool right away. Draining can lead to pressure imbalances, especially if the surrounding ground is saturated from rainfall. This could cause the pool to shift or even pop out of the ground due to the rising water table, causing you more trouble than it’s worth.

Instead, focus on checking the water level in your pool. If the water has risen above the skimmer line due to heavy rainfall, you can perform a partial drain to bring it back down to an appropriate level. However, once again, avoid draining too much water, as this can disrupt the structural integrity of your pool. Always ensure there’s enough water inside to maintain pressure against the surrounding soil and prevent any shifting or damage.

Once you've checked and adjusted the water level, you’re ready to move on to cleaning and maintaining the pool - and getting your hands dirty.

Getting Your Pool Back to Optimal Shape after a Summer Storm

To get your pool back to 100%, you’ll need to clean the pool itself as well as the skimmer, pump basket, and filter, and chemically balance the water before running the pump and letting it do its job. Here is each step in detail:

Manually Cleaning the Pool

Your automatic pool cleaner can handle some of the work, but you still need to manually clean the pool to ensure it's free of debris and contaminants left behind by the storm. You can start by using a pool wall brush to scrub the walls. This will help loosen any dirt, algae, or debris stuck to the surface. If you notice any stubborn algae buildup, a specialised algae brush can be your best friend. 

These brushes are designed to be more effective at scraping away algae, especially in corners and crevices. Next, grab a pool leaf rake to scoop out any larger debris that has settled on the pool floor or is floating on the surface. The leaf rake will help you gather leaves, twigs, and other storm-related mess that could clog your filtration system if left unchecked.

Finally, manually vacuum the pool (if you’ve never done it, we’ve written a quick guide on How To Vacuum a Pool Manually to help you out) to ensure that any remaining debris is picked up. While an automatic cleaner might help, manually vacuuming gives you more control over tough spots where debris may have settled. Be sure to vacuum thoroughly to remove as much debris as possible before moving on to the next cleaning steps.

With the pool itself cleaned and ready, you can move on to maintaining the skimmer, pump basket, and filter.

Cleaning the Skimmer, Pump Basket, and Filter

After cleaning the pool after the storm, it’s time to check the pool’s filtration system. Start by inspecting and cleaning the skimmer and pump baskets. These baskets can easily become clogged with leaves, debris, and dirt, which can hinder water flow and reduce the efficiency of your filtration system. Empty them thoroughly to ensure the pump has a clear path for proper filtration.

Next, take a moment to inspect your pool equipment. Check the pipes, unions, and electrical components for any damage, especially if the storm brought strong winds or debris. Look for any leaks, cracks, or other signs of wear and tear. If you notice anything unusual, you might consider calling a professional to prevent further issues.

If everything looks good, focus on the filter. For D.E. or sand filters, backwash the system to clear out any debris or contaminants that may have built up. If you have a cartridge filter, remove the cartridges and rinse them thoroughly. If the cartridges appear damaged or worn, it might be time to replace them. 

Once your filter is clean and back in place, you can move on to balancing the pool’s water chemistry, knowing that the filtration system is good to go.

Test and Balance the Water

Now that your pool is clean and the filtration system is in check, it's time to test and balance your water chemistry. A balanced pool ensures that it stays safe, clear, and comfortable for swimmers. The easiest way to test your pool’s water is by using a 4-in-1 pool test kit. This kit will give you a quick reading of your pool’s pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels.

Once you’ve tested your water, you can adjust the chemicals accordingly. The typical ideal ranges for pool chemistry are:

• pH: 7.2 - 7.6
• Total Alkalinity: 80 - 120 ppm
• Calcium Hardness: 200 - 400 ppm
• Chlorine: 2.0 - 4.0 ppm

If something is off, add the appropriate products that will bring your water back to the desired range. Checking the stabilizer levels for chlorinated pools and salt levels for saltwater pools is also worthwhile, but these can only be accurately checked inside a pool store, so you may need to pay your local store a visit when you have the time. However, checking the stabilizer and salt levels doesn't have to take priority over your other tasks.

In addition to these standard tests, it’s also a good idea to check for phosphates, which can fuel algae growth in your pool. Phosphates can enter your pool through various sources like rain, leaves, and organic debris, all of which are in high supply during a summer storm. Though you can’t completely prevent phosphates from entering your pool, you can control their levels. 

Using a phosphate test kit will help you identify whether phosphate levels are high. If phosphates are present in high amounts, you’ll want to use a phosphate remover to lower the levels. Phosphate removers help control algae growth by eliminating this key food source. By managing phosphate levels, you can reduce the risk of algae bloom and maintain a cleaner, healthier pool.

In case you have a saltwater pool, it’s also a good idea to check the salt levels, but this can only be accurately checked inside a pool store, so that could be something you need to do after a storm. 

Don’t Forget to Shock the Pool!

It’s never a bad idea to shock your pool after a summer storm. Shocking the pool helps to break down contaminants that may have entered during the storm, such as bacteria and organic matter. It gives your pool a strong sanitising boost and ensures that the water stays clear and safe. Now, once your water is properly balanced, you’re ready for the final step: letting your pump and filter do their job.

The Final Step - Let the Pump and Filter Do Their Jobs

Once your pool is clean, the filtration system is checked, and the water chemistry is balanced, it's time to let the pump and filter do their work. Run the pump for several hours to ensure proper circulation and filtration. This will help remove any remaining small debris and allow the chemicals to disperse evenly throughout the pool, restoring the water to optimal clarity and cleanliness.

Where Can You Get Everything You Need to Clean a Pool after a Summer Storm?

That’s it - you now know how to care for your pool after a summer storm. The only thing left is to figure out where to get all the products you need to clean your pool. And that’s the easiest step. At Aquaneo, we have everything you need to clean your pool after a summer storm. 

From pool maintenance equipment to pool chemicals and testing kits, you can order what you need online, and we’ll deliver it right to your doorstep. If you can’t find something or need additional help, don’t hesitate to contact us; we’ll answer ASAP.