Prep Your Pool For a Hurricane or Storm

We’re entering hurricane and storm season in many parts of the country, so we wanted to talk to pool owners about preparing their above ground pools for storms. 

As the weather shifts, follow these helpful tips to minimize damage to your swimming pool. 

1. Lower Water Level But Do NOT Drain Your Pool

Even with a major storm coming, you don’t want to drain your above ground pool. Instead, you can lower the water level to prevent overflow from excessive rainfall. 

Do not lower the water level by more than 1-2 feet. Draining the pool any further than that can cause structural damage and destroy the liner.

2. Balance the Water Chemistry

Storms bring heavy rain and debris, which disrupt your pool’s chemical balance. Adjust the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels to protect your pool and equipment from contamination and algae growth.

• pH levels should be between 7.2 and 7.8. Proper pH ensures chlorine works effectively.
• Alkalinity should be between 80-120 ppm. It acts as a buffer for pH levels.
• Calcium hardness should be between 200-400 ppm to prevent corrosion or scaling.
• Sanitizer levels (Chlorine/Bromine) depend on your pool size and water levels. You may want to add a bit extra to shock the pool, especially if you won’t be able to swim for a couple of days.

Properly balanced water is easier to clean and treat after the storm, reducing the effort and chemicals needed to restore the pool to a safe, swimmable condition.

3. Secure and Protect Pool Equipment

Storms can seriously damage your pool pump, filter system, and other equipment, so it’s important to protect it as best you can. 

If you’re wondering if you should turn off the pool pump during a storm, the answer is yes. Turn off a

nd unplug all equipment to prevent damage from electrical surges.

Next, remove any movable equipment such as pool pumps, motors, heaters, and pool covers, and store them in a safe place, like a garage, shed, or basement. 

For equipment that cannot be moved, try to wrap it in plastic and secure it with duct tape or zip ties. Be careful not to damage the equipment in the process of securing it. 

4. Remove Pool Accessories and Patio Furniture

Pool accessories can quickly become dangerous projectiles if picked up by the wind or flood waters, so remove and store them before the weather gets bad. 

Ladders, diving boards, slides, pool floats, and toys are usually fairly easy to remove. Make sure they’re clean and dry, then store them in your garage, basement, or storage area alongside the other pool equipment. 

5. Trim Nearby Trees and Shrubs

Cut back any branches or foliage that could break off during the storm and damage the pool, vinyl liner, or any surrounding structures. 

In addition to boosting safety, minimizing the amount of foliage that can be torn off by the storm also helps reduce the amount of debris that may end up in your pool. By clearing it 

ahead of time, post-storm cleanup will be much easier.

6. Cover the Pool

Put on your pool cover and ensure it’s properly fastened so it doesn’t fly away with strong winds. 

Covering your pool will help keep debris out and add an extra layer of protection from sharp, flying objects. Covers are much cheaper to replace than a pool liner. 

7. Plan Ahead As Much As Possible

When there’s a storm or hurricane coming, you can expect leaves, branches, and other debris to end up in your pool. Plan ahead to make sure you have everything you need to get your pool back up and running as soon as the storm passes. 

Rather than waiting until after the storm passes, buy any skimmer nets, pool chemicals, and replacement pool equipment and accessories beforehand. That way, you don’t risk it being out of stock if there’s a post-storm rush or shipment delays. 

After the Storm

After the storm passes, the real work begins. It’s time to survey the damage, clean your yard and pool, and get back to having fun splashing around. 

Here’s what to do: 

• Clean up major debris and hazards such as fallen trees, branches, etc. 
• Check for any structural damage to your pool and surrounding area. Closely inspect your pool liner for tears or holes. 
• Remove any debris from the swimming pool using a net or pool vacuum.
• Check and balance the water chemistry. 
• Inspect and reinstall your pool pump and other equipment.
• Clean the pool and patio area thoroughly to remove any dirt or contaminants.

LinerWorld is Here to Help

If you experienced pool damage from heavy rainfall and storms, we’ve got your back. We’ve got everything you need to get back up and running — from high-quality pool liners to pool covers, pumps, and filters.