As hurricane season approaches, homeowners in Tampa need to take proactive steps to safeguard their property. This includes pools and spas! Whether your home features a newly installed system or a pool remodel, preparing your aquatic amenities properly can help minimize potential damage.
Below, we outline five practical and manageable steps to help you prepare your pool and spa before a hurricane makes landfall.
5 Things You MUST Do to Prepare Your Pool for a Hurricane
| 1 | Don’t drain the pool — the water weight protects it from popping out. |
| 2 | Shock and balance the water before the storm hits. |
| 3 | Remove loose items like furniture, toys, skimmers, and cleaners. |
| 4 | Turn off power to the pool equipment to prevent electrical damage. |
| 5 | Secure the pool area and protect equipment with waterproof covers. |
Balance the Water Chemistry Ahead of Time
Get your pool water treated and balanced before the storm arrives! This might seem counterintuitive when you anticipate heavy rainfall, but balanced water chemistry can help prevent algae growth and contamination. Superchlorination, or “shocking” your pool beforehand, will also destroy any impurities that reach your pool through debris or rain runoff. This will eliminate a significant amount of post-storm cleaning or pool maintenance that you would otherwise have to do.
Turn Off the Pool Power and Secure Electrical Equipment
Safety begins with turning off all electricity to your pool equipment. Turn off breakers that supply electricity to pool pumps, heaters, lights, and chlorinators. This minimizes the chance of electrical surges and fire hazards in the storm.
Turn off the power and cover or move sensitive electrical components to an indoor location. Be sure to secure them with weather-tight covers that offer high wind and rain resistance.
Do Not Drain the Pool—Lower It Slightly if Needed
No matter what anyone says to you, it is never wise to drain your pool before a hurricane hits. Water in the ground’s water table will surge with a rainstorm and build hydrostatic pressure against the pool shell. That means an empty or even partially drained pool may lift out of the ground, especially if it was recently installed. Therefore, lower the water level slightly—no more than one to two feet—to allow for rainwater while maintaining structural stability.
Remove and Store Loose Items Around the Pool Area
Pool toys, umbrellas, planters, and outdoor furniture become projectiles that are potentially dangerous in hurricane-force winds. Bring these items inside your home or store them in an enclosed, secure deck box. Secure all removable accessories for spas, such as headrests or covers.
Use Heavy-duty straps or ties to fix items that are not removable to secure them in place. Remove solar blankets, skimmer baskets, or automatic pool cleaners to prevent damage.
If pool items aren’t secured before a storm, they can quickly become dangerous projectiles. Strong hurricane winds can lift lightweight furniture, toys, floats, skimmer lids, and even pool cleaning equipment, sending them crashing into windows, screens, vehicles, or the pool itself. Loose items can damage your pump or plumbing if they’re pulled into the water, and they often create costly debris cleanup afterward. A few minutes spent securing everything around your pool area can prevent major damage once the storm hits.
Install Protective Pool Barriers and Coverings
If you do own a safety cover or a hurricane-rated pool cover, install it now. Correct coverings will prevent material from entering the pool and reduce the need for later cleaning in case of a storm. Non-wind-rated covers may be torn apart or become safety hazards in strong storms.
Use temporary windbreaks or barriers, such as sandbags or portable fencing, around the pool to deflect flying debris and reduce water contamination.
Post-Storm Assessment and Professional Support
Check your pool and spa system for damage following the storm. Do not turn on the equipment until you are certain that all equipment is dry and there is no damage. Structural or mechanical damage is typically the type that necessitates professional pool repairs. Restore your pool to operating status, or create an entire pool remodel by using only local experts who are highly trained to do the work.
Homeowners in the Tampa area seeking expert assistance should contact JJB Pools and Spas for reliable service and expert guidance. With hurricane preparation, a thoughtful and professional approach goes a long way in protecting your investment and restoring peace of mind.
Pool Owner Checklist: How to Evaluate Storm Damage After a Hurricane
1. Inspect the pool area for safety first.
Check for downed power lines, broken glass, sharp debris, loose screens, and damaged enclosures. Don’t approach the pool until the area is safe.
2. Check electrical equipment before turning anything on.
Look for flooding or visible damage to the pump, heater, automation panel, and salt system. If anything appears wet or compromised, do not restart it—call a professional.
3. Remove storm debris from the pool.
Branches, leaves, mulch, and blown-in materials can clog the circulation system. Use a skimmer net first—never start the pump with debris in the water.
4. Inspect the water level.
Your pool may be overfilled from heavy rain. Drain only to the middle of the skimmer—not below it.
5. Check for structural damage.
Look for cracks, lifted coping, damaged tiles, loose screens, or shifting around the deck.
6. Test and rebalance the water chemistry.
Heavy rainfall dilutes chlorine and disrupts pH, alkalinity, and salinity. Shock the pool and adjust chemicals as needed.
7. Clean the skimmer, pump basket, and filter.
Debris buildup can strain or burn out equipment. If you have a cartridge filter, rinse it well. DE and sand filters may need a backwash.
8. Restart equipment carefully.
Once everything is inspected and cleared of water intrusion or damage, turn equipment back on and monitor pressure, flow, and any unusual noises.
9. Document any damage.
Photos and notes help with insurance claims and speeding up repairs.
10. Schedule a professional inspection if anything looks off.
A quick visit from a pool technician can catch issues you can’t see—like pump damage, electrical failure, or salt cell malfunction.
JJB Pools & Spas provides expert pool maintenance, repair, resurfacing, and renovation across Tampa Bay — serving Largo, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Belleair, South Tampa, Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, St. Pete Beach, Davis Islands & Clearwater Beach. We use only the best pool and spa industry brands, including Wet Edge Technologies, Primera Stone, Prism Matrix, Luna Quartz, Signature Matrix, and Aquabella Tile. JJB Pools is also a platinum warranty station for all Hayward brand equipment, and an expert in Variable Speed Pumps and energy-efficient pool heating. Call for a free estimate! (727) 412-4373