What to Do With Your Pool After a Wind Storm
After a Bakersfield wind storm, get the debris out before it sinks and breaks down. Empty the skimmer and pump baskets, skim the surface, brush and vacuum, clean the filter, then test the water and shock if chlorine is low. Dust and leaves use up chlorine and feed algae, so a pool that looks fine the day after a storm can turn cloudy or green within a few days if the debris stays in.
Why does a wind storm cause pool problems?
- Fine dust and dirt. Much of it is too fine for the filter to catch on its own, so the water turns hazy.
- Leaves and plant debris. As they break down they use up chlorine, add phosphates that feed algae, and can leave brown stains on plaster.
- Clogged baskets. A packed skimmer or pump basket starves the pump of water, which can make it lose prime or run dry.
- Pollen and other organics. They raise chlorine demand, so chlorine that normally lasts all day can be gone by afternoon.
What should I do right after a wind storm?
- Step 1: Check the baskets first. Empty the skimmer and pump baskets so the pump gets full flow.
- Step 2: Skim the surface before leaves sink. Floating debris is much easier to remove than debris on the floor.
- Step 3: Brush the walls and vacuum the floor. Brushing puts settled dust back into the water where the filter can catch it.
- Step 4: Clean the filter. Hose off cartridges, or backwash a sand or DE filter. A storm can load up a filter in one afternoon.
- Step 5: Test and balance the water. Check free chlorine and pH first, because debris pulls both out of range.
- Step 6: Shock in the evening if chlorine is low. Liquid chlorine added after sunset gets a full night to work.
- Step 7: Run the pump longer for a day or two. Extra filtering clears the fine dust that brushing stirred up.
How do I keep storm debris from turning into algae?
Get leaves and dirt out within a day or two, and keep chlorine in range while the water clears. Debris feeds algae, so the longer it sits, the more likely a green pool becomes. If your water tests high in phosphates after a storm, ask us whether a phosphate remover such as Orenda PR-10,000 makes sense. An enzyme such as Orenda CV-600 helps break down oils and other non-living gunk that use up chlorine.
When should I call for help?
Call us or come in if the pump still won't prime after you clear the baskets, if filter pressure stays high right after cleaning, or if the water is still cloudy or turning green after 3 to 4 days with good test results. If you'd rather have us come to you, a service visit starts with a $139 diagnostic fee. It covers our fuel and travel time, diagnosing your pool equipment, and a written work order for your approval. The fee doesn't cover any repairs.
Should I run my pool pump during a wind storm?
Yes, in most cases. Running the pump lets the skimmer catch floating debris before it sinks. Check the skimmer and pump baskets as soon as the wind dies down, because a packed basket can starve the pump.
Can dust make my pool cloudy?
Yes. Wind-blown dust is often too fine for the filter to catch. Brushing, running the pump longer, and a clarifier help the filter pull it out. If the water is still hazy after a couple of days with good test results, bring in a sample.
Do I need to shock my pool after a storm?
Often, yes. Leaves, dust, and pollen use up chlorine quickly. Test first, and if free chlorine is low, shock in the evening with liquid chlorine and keep testing until it holds.
Will a cover help during windy weather?
Yes. A cover or leaf net keeps most debris out of the water, which means less cleanup and less chlorine used up after a storm.
Don't cry, we can help
Bring a water sample to Top Dog Pool Supply. Local pool owners get a free water test on our Taylor Xpress Flex system, and we'll tell you what to add, and how much, for your pool's size.
Visit us at 7440 District Blvd Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93313, or call (661) 664-9000. We're open Monday to Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 9 to 4, and Sundays 10 to 4 from April through September.
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