As hurricane season approaches, homeowners in Tampa are urged to take proactive steps to safeguard their property. This includes outdoor spaces that often get overlooked, such as 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. For those in need of post-storm recovery, professional services such as pool repair are often required, especially in storm-prone regions like Tampa.
Below, we outline five practical and manageable steps to help you prepare your pool and spa before a hurricane makes landfall.
Balance the Water Chemistry Ahead of Time
Before a storm, ensure that your pool water is properly treated and balanced. 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 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. When you turn off the power, cover or move sensitive electrical components inside to a location where they are not exposed to movement, such as in-ground control panels, and 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. An empty or even partially drained pool may lift out of the ground, especially if it was recently installed as part of a pool remodel project. Instead, consider lowering 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. Removable accessories for spas, such as headrests or covers, should also be stored safely. Heavy-duty straps or ties can be used on fixed items that are not removable to secure them in place. Remove solar blankets, skimmer baskets, or automatic pool cleaners to prevent damage.
Install Protective 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 regular covers will be torn apart or become safety hazards in strong gusts. Temporary windbreaks or barriers, such as sandbags or portable fencing, can be placed 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. To restore your pool to operating status or create an entire pool remodel from storm damage, local experts 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.
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