How to Save Your Pool Water After a Heavy Storm (Even if You Have a Pool Cage)
Living in Florida has its perks, but dealing with heavy rains and storms isn’t one of them. Many of us think that having a pool cage protects us from weather disasters. However, there is nothing more frustrating than stepping out into your backyard after a downpour only to discover your private oasis has turned cloudy or green.
If your pool is covered but the water is ruined anyway, here we explain the science behind the problem and the exact steps to fix it fast.
Why Do Storms Ruin the Water if I Have a Screen Enclosure?
Your pool cage does a fantastic job blocking large branches and whole leaves, but it can’t stop the water. Because rain is contaminated, it will bring a significant amount of pollution into the water, tending to unbalance the pH and TAC (the water’s alkalinity), consuming the sanitizer.
Furthermore, if the rain is accompanied by strong winds, fine dust, pollen, and microscopic algae spores manage to pass through the cage mesh and fall into your pool. All this invisible pollution is the perfect breeding ground for crystal-clear water to disappear in a matter of hours.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recover Your Pool
If you decide to tackle this chemical imbalance on your own, you will need to follow a methodical process:
- Clean dust and fine debris: Even with a cage, you must brush the sides of the pool and use a net to remove any impurities that managed to filter through or fall onto the surface.
- Clear the filtration system: You must empty and clean the skimmer baskets, and backwash the filter to ensure the system isn’t clogged.
- Restore the chemical balance (The critical step): First, you must check the TAC and increase it if necessary to a value greater than 80 mg/L. Then, make sure to adjust the pH between 7.0 and 7.4.
- Eradicate microorganisms: It’s time to check the chlorine level, and if it is below 0.5 mg/L, perform a shock treatment with the appropriate product. This will destroy what the rain brought in.
- Clarify the water: If the pool is equipped with a sand filter, you must flocculate the water with a product like Superflock Plus. This clumps together the microscopic particles clouding your pool so the filter can catch them.
- Uninterrupted filtration: Finally, you must leave the filter running 24 hours a day until the water is crystal clear again.
Stop Cleaning Your Pool and Start Enjoying It
Recovering the water’s chemical balance after a storm requires buying the right products, doing chemical testing, and dedicating physical effort. And we know perfectly well that losing your only day of rest under the Florida sun measuring pool pH is not your idea of an ideal weekend.
Your backyard should be a private oasis to relax or host friends, not an endless list of household chores.
If you prefer to regain control of your weekends and have the absolute peace of mind of guaranteed crystal-clear and safe water (rain or shine) , our premium maintenance service takes care of everything.
