If you’ve lived in Arlington long enough, you know our storms don’t do anything halfway. One minute the sky is clear, the next you’ve got wind-whipped rain, hail, and enough debris to make your backyard look like it lost an argument with a tree. When that storm rolls through and leaves your pool cloudy, littered, or just plain off, pool cleaning after a storm becomes the thing standing between you and your next swim.
Aquamaid shares what you need to know about why storms hit our pools so hard, what you can do before the weather turns, and how to handle the cleanup once it’s over…including when it’s time to call in a professional for pool cleaning in Arlington.
Your Pool vs. North Texas Weather
North Texas storm season isn’t shy. Between spring thunderstorms and the occasional hailstorm rolling through Tarrant County, pools in our area take on more than just a little rain.
Strong wind gusts send leaves, branches, and yard debris straight into the water. Heavy rainfall dilutes your chemical balance and can raise water levels past the skimmer line. Hail can chip pool decking, damage pool covers, and even affect equipment housings. And if lightning is involved, your pool’s electrical systems (including pumps, heaters, and lighting) can take a hit, too.
After a storm, your pool looks (and tests) very differently than it did the day before. Cloudy pool water, an off-balance pH, floating debris, and sometimes silt or runoff staining the pool floor are all common calling cards of a good North Texas storm.
Storm Cleanup Differs From Routine Maintenance
Regular pool upkeep and pool cleaning after a storm aren’t quite the same job. A typical maintenance visit is about staying ahead of the curve. Storm cleanup is about correcting a pool that got knocked off balance all at once.
Heavy rain dilutes pool water. That sudden influx can spike the total dissolved solids, throw off your sanitizer levels, and leave your pool struggling to kill bacteria the way it normally would. Runoff and organic debris also tend to introduce phosphates into the water, which act like fertilizer for algae growth even in a pool that looked perfectly clear the day before the storm rolled in.
Restoring water clarity after a storm usually takes more than a quick skim and a shock treatment. Your pool needs some extra attention beyond your usual pool cleaning schedule to properly address what’s actually in your water, not just what you can see floating on top.
Before the Storm: What You Can Do to Minimize the Impact
You can’t stop a storm, but you can absolutely reduce how much cleanup it leaves behind. A little prep goes a long way.
- Trim trees. Overhanging branches are one of the biggest sources of post-storm pool debris and contaminants. If you’ve got trees near your pool, keep them trimmed back.
- Secure loose items. Also walk your yard and secure or store anything that could blow into the water, such as furniture, toys, planters, umbrellas.
- Lower your water level slightly. Dropping the water a couple of inches below normal gives heavy rainfall somewhere to go without overflowing the pool deck or flooding your equipment pad.
- Turn off pool equipment. Before the storm hits, shut down your pump, filter, and any electrical equipment. This protects your system from power surges and lightning strikes, which are common with our spring and summer storm systems.
- Cover what you can. A pool cover (even a temporary one) will cut down significantly on the amount of debris that ends up in your water.
- Check your pool chemical levels beforehand. Starting with balanced water means you’re not fighting an uphill battle once the rain stops.
While this prep takes a bit of time, it can save you hours of cleanup and a few headaches once the storm passes.
Pool Cleaning After a Storm
Once the storm passes and it’s safe to head back outside, here’s the process we recommend for pool cleaning after a storm.
- Inspect before you touch anything. Walk around your pool and check for downed branches near equipment, exposed wiring, or damage to your pool deck, fence, or cover. Safety first, always.
- Clear the big debris. Use a net or skimmer to remove leaves, branches, and any larger items floating in or around the pool. Getting this out early prevents staining and clogged filters down the line.
- Clean out skimmer baskets. Pop the lid, dump out the debris and waste, rinse the basket if it’s slimy, and pop it back in before you restart your equipment.
- Check your filter and backwash if needed. Your filter can become blocked fast by storm debris, so check your pressure gauge; if it’s reading high, it’s time to backwash (and recharge DE filters with fresh powder afterward).
- Check and adjust your water level. If heavy rain pushed your pool above normal levels, you may need to drain some water before restarting your equipment.
- Restart your equipment carefully. Turn your pump and filter back on and keep an eye on them for unusual noises, leaks, or performance issues, especially if there was significant wind or hail.
- Test your water chemistry. Storms wreak havoc on pH, chlorine, and alkalinity levels. Rainwater is naturally acidic and can throw off your balance fast. Test your water and adjust as needed, since unbalanced water can lead to algae blooms within days.
- Vacuum and brush the pool. Dirt, fine silt, and runoff often settle on the pool floor and walls after a storm. A thorough brushing and vacuum helps prevent staining and keeps your filtration system from working overtime.
- Shock the pool if needed. If your water looks cloudy or you notice organic debris breakdown, a shock treatment can help clear things up and get your sanitizer levels back where they should be.
Working through this list doesn’t have to happen all in one afternoon, but the order matters. Skipping ahead to shock the water before you’ve cleared debris or balanced your chemistry usually just means doing the work twice. Take it step by step, and your pool will bounce back a lot faster than it looks like it will standing in your backyard the morning after.
When You Can Handle It Yourself and When to Call a Professional
Minor storms that add light debris to your pool and cause small chemical shifts may be manageable on your own, especially if you already maintain your pool regularly. Skimming leaves, testing water, and rebalancing chemicals are things some pool-savvy homeowners feel confident tackling with the right tools and a little time.
Bigger storms call for a bigger response. It’s time to call in a professional if you’re dealing with:
- Major flooding
- Visible equipment damage
- Electrical concerns
- Extensive hail damage to your decking or liner
- Green or cloudy water that stays no matter what you do
If you’re not comfortable handling minor pool cleaning after a storm, or a big storm has caused bigger pool issues, call Aquamaid. Whether you’re near Lake Arlington or tucked into a quiet street in Viridian, our technicians know exactly what North Texas storms do to pools and how to fix it fast.
We handle the inspection, the chemical rebalancing, the equipment checks, and the deep cleaning so you don’t have to spend your weekend troubleshooting instead of swimming.
Get Your Pool Back to Normal, Fast
Storm season is something we can’t avoid here in North Texas, but a damaged or neglected pool doesn’t have to be your new normal. Whether you need a same-week cleanup or want a professional set of eyes on your equipment after a rough storm rolled through, Aquamaid is ready to help.
Don’t let a North Texas storm keep you out of your own backyard. Get a fast quote from Aquamaid today and let us handle the hard work of pool cleaning after a storm. We’ll restore your pool’s sparkling glory so you can get back to enjoying the water.
