At Pool Troopers, we have thousands of pools on service that are in hurricane paths every year. Below is a quick reminder about pools and hurricane prep and then frequently asked questions and the answers to pool Hurricane Prep questions.
First, your life and our employees’ lives and safety are paramount. If you think a situation is dangerous, avoid it and call in an expert.
After you have prepped to protect you and your loved ones, there are a few things you can do to protect your pool. Remove all patio pots, furniture, and decorations and store them in the garage if possible. You want to remove all possible flying objects. Second, if a storm is eminent, turn off the breaker to the pool equipment from inside your house or garage, and leave it off until all flood waters have receded for at least two days. It is best during flooding to not have power going to your system. Finally, do not drain your pool. Your pool could act like a boat when empty or partially empty and float out of the ground causing catastrophic damage to it and possibly your home.
FAQs:
1. Do I need to continue to run my pool during a storm?
A: In a normal storm, yes, but in a hurricane or any major storm with possible flooding the best thing is to turn your pool off at the main breaker and leave it off until the pool equipment has had at least two days to dry out after flooding recedes.
2. Do I need to drain my pool down due to the amount of rain we expect?
A: No, this is not in any area that gets groundwater flooding. An empty or partially empty pool can float out of the ground like a boat and cause significant damage to the pool, deck, plumbing, and possibly the house and its foundation.
3. Am I safe to swim after a storm?
A: Only if your area received no flooding, then yes, it’s safe to swim after a storm has cleared your area. If you got any flood waters into the pool or around your pool equipment then please avoid swimming as we have to assume the flood waters were tainted with contaminants and we need to sanitize and filter your pool water before you use it. If the pool equipment flooded we can’t be sure there isn’t an electrical problem so it’s not safe to swim until we check out your equipment pad.
4. What should I do if my equipment floods?
A: Please keep the electrical off at the breaker and do not turn it back on for at least two days after the whole area dries out. Most pool motors will not survive even a partial submersion so plan on having to replace it if the water gets high in your area. If, you have any question about this get a licensed pool professional to come to check your equipment and turn the pool back on before you use the pool.
5. Should I cover my pool?
A: Unless it is a bolt to the deck certified safety cover then no you should not cover the pool.
6. Can I put my patio furniture in the pool? Will you remove it for me? (metal stains from rust)
A: It’s best to put your furniture in the garage, but in scenario where it does not fit in the garage then it can go in the pool, with the system off, however this is usually not good for the pool- stains, gouges, and it is usually bad for the furniture- rust and water damage. Never put glass furniture in the pool- it has to go in the garage or home. We will help get it out and we will attempt to remove rust stains, but cannot guarantee their removal. There will be additional charges. If you have heavy metal furniture these charges can be substantial, regular pool cleaning equipment is not meant to lift heavy furniture out of the water, and it typically takes multiple personnel.
7. Should I remove my potted plants from around the pool?
A: Yes, remove anything that is not permanently attached from the pool deck to the garage.
8. What do I do if my pool turns brown or black?
A: Please keep the pool turned off at the breaker and let our office know the pool got flooded and its condition. We will bring portable equipment to clean it the first few times before we turn your system back on. There will be additional charges for this service.
9. Can I put my glass top tables in the pool?
A: No, this is a very bad idea. Half the time the glass breaks and shatters and it is very difficult and dangerous to remove from the pool. Please put all glass tables and tops in the garage or house.
Again, our employees and customers safety is our priority, we will be out to the pools after a storm when our families are safe and when the roads are safe for our team. We will then quickly work to make your pool and equipment swim-safe for you and your family.
Beware that charlatans will go door to door offering to drain and clean pools flooded by the storm. This is very risky, dangerous, and should be avoided as they do not have pool popping, workman’s comp, or general liability insurance, so you as the homeowner are taking all the liability for them, their workers, and any damage they cause. They are not pool contractors so cannot be held liable for any contract you enter its illegal contracting. Homeowners insurance does not cover your pool if you use an unlicensed contractor and the pool gets damaged, and no homeowners policies cover pool popping. Only use licensed pool contractors and make sure they have the right insurances.
Pool Troopers has all the right insurances required and is licensed to repair your pool in all the states in which we operate.
