Do you need assistance with pool equipment repair or cleaning out a pool that’s flooded due to rain? A flooded pool requires careful attention, including specific steps to guarantee sanitation, as runoff can contaminate the water with hazardous materials, creating a dangerous situation until the system has been completely drained and cleaned. If you need to clear out a pool that’s seen better days, follow these 10 steps.
Take Care of Electric Components
Modern pools have several electric components which may short out and create a fire hazard if they get wet:
- Automation
- Jets
- Pumps
In the event of a heavy rain forecast, try to turn these components off before the storm. If you can’t reach them before the rain hits, wait until after the weather system passes and then disconnect them. Stopping the circuit is especially crucial if you’re in a flood-prone area, as these components may end up underwater and present an electrocution hazard.
Secure People and Items
Make sure you bring any pool toys inside to prevent them from getting blown around, contaminated by runoff, or otherwise damaged. You should also make sure all pets are safely indoors and prevent children from swimming during a storm. Water is an excellent conductor, which means that if it’s struck by lightning, anyone submerged or touching, it is likely to be electrocuted.
Let the Water Go Down
Once the storm passes, your pool may be filled to the brim or overflowing. Though you may be tempted to drain it, don’t do so right away — if the filtration system is intact, it may be able to mitigate the overflow by itself. Give it a few days to see if the water goes down on its own; if you don’t see a significant difference, there may be an issue with the system.
Check for Safety Issues
During harsh storms, houses can be damaged, and unsecured items can get blown into neighbors’ yards. You may notice debris even if you took steps to secure your property, so inspect your pool for trash, sewage, and unexpected objects as the water recede. If safe, go ahead and remove the debris before you continue cleaning, as items can block drains and filters, potentially damaging them.
Let the Ground Dry
It’s also essential that you allow the surrounding ground to dry before hiring pool cleaning services or trying to clean it yourself. If the pool requires manual draining, the extra water may exacerbate flooding in other parts of the yard, since the ground won’t be able to absorb any more moisture.
Drain the Pool
Once conditions are optimal, it’s time to drain the pool. How you do so depends on what type of filter you have; you must follow the correct draining directions, or you may end up damaging your system.
Check Pool’s Condition
Once the water’s gone, you should be able to inspect for any structural damage such as cracks, large chips, or clogged drains and filters. If you spot any of those above, you’ll have to arrange for repairs before continuing, or you may face leaks and other expensive issues.
Clean Pool
If you don’t have any damage to take care of, you may safely clean your pool yourself:
- Brush walls clean of debris
- Vacuum pool
- Backwash the filter
- Add pool shock to the water
- Wait at least one day, then balance the chemicals
Let Pumps Dry
Before you can swim, you’ll need to allow the water to circulate through the filtration system, which necessitates turning your pumps back on. However, they’ll likely still be wet from the storm; using them in this condition may lead to expensive system damage, so only turn them on once you’re sure they’re completely dry.
Contact a Professional
If your circulation system has sustained any damage or if it contains large debris, it’s best to let a professional handle it. Professional pool maintenance and cleaning businesses have specialized equipment to help them effectively and safely handle these pool equipment repair jobs.
Are you looking for pool maintenance Houston? Manning Pool Service has been serving our community for over 30 years with a dedication to quality service, timely response, and affordability. For more information or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (713) 255-8325 or contact us online.
10 Easy Steps for Cleaning Pool Flooding and Pool Equipment Repair | Manning Pool Service – Houston, TX