Monsoon Season Pool Maintenance
Throughout the warmest months of the year, monsoon season in Arizona is usually a great challenge for pool owners across the Sun Belt. Even though you can’t control the storm, you can help your pool get through the storm in one piece!
With a few easy pool care tips and tricks, you can help your pool weather the impending storm season. Allow our team at SPS PoolCare to share essential pool maintenance tips for the upcoming Arizona monsoon season.
Importance of Managing Pools During the Arizona Monsoon Season
The first step is recognizing what to expect from the monsoon season before the first raindrop falls. Monsoon season in Arizona is typically between June and September. It brings high humidity, heavy rainfalls, and flash flooding. Even in the desert, the risk of flooding from monsoons is real, as every year brings about flood-related injuries.
But the risk that comes with monsoons also extends to the poolside. Rainfall is acidic and can negatively affect your pool’s chemical levels and water chemistry, creating favorable conditions for algae growth. Instead of leaving your pool to bear the storm alone, take precautionary steps to protect your swimming pool from storm-based wear and tear.
How To Prepare for Monsoon Season in Arizona
When you see heavy thunderstorms in the forecast, the last thing you want to do for your pool is wait the storm out. You can take several simple steps to prepare your pool for the storm. Here are three of the most vital steps to take the day before the storm arrives:
1. Clear the Area Around the Pool of Potential Debris
During a storm, any loose items not secured can transform into dangerous projectiles that wreak havoc on your pool. Ensure all patio furniture is tied to your patio to prevent this scenario. Also, ensure any loose items that cannot be tied down are stored away in a shed or indoors. Some of these miscellaneous items include:
- Pool toys
- Rakes, shovels, and other lawn equipment
- Loose stones and rocks
- Sports equipment
- Smaller pieces of furniture
2. Check and Secure Your Pool Equipment
After you’ve tied down your loose patio furniture and items, it’s time to focus on your pool properly. After you power all your electronic systems down, thoroughly check each piece of equipment, including your filters and pumps. This will help minimize any damage or debris clogging up the machine as the storm passes.
3. Adjust Chemical Levels in Preparation for the Arizona Monsoon Season
An additional yet key part of storm preparation and overall pool maintenance is maintaining your swimming pool’s pH levels. The magic number to look for in your pool’s water chemistry is a pH level of 7.5. If your water chemistry is above 7.8 or below 7.2, adjust it accordingly with pool water balancers.
Managing Your Pool During Heavy Rains and Storms
Sometimes, storm predictions change over time and decrease as the day approaches. If a storm is likely to hit your neighborhood, there are several precautionary measures you should take just hours before the storm comes ashore.
Monitor and Adjust Your Pool’s Chemical Balance
Before the storm arrives, monitor your pool water chemistry to ensure the levels are between pH levels of 7.2 and 7.5. If you’ve tested your pool’s chemical levels and need to readjust, do so with a proper kit or chlorine. Make sure that you follow the instructions given to you by your pool water kit.
How To Deal With Potential Flooding
Although it’s never a pleasant thought, it’s wise to consider what to do about pool flooding and how to prevent it during a monsoon. First, you’ll want to clean out all your pool’s gutters and drains, allowing water to continue to flow through and decreasing your chances of flooding.
Lowering your water levels by a few feet is another intelligent preventive measure. But we don’t recommend draining your pool completely—a half-filled pool is the sweet spot between keeping it from overflowing and providing a little watery buffer between debris.
Using Pool Covers and Other Protective Measures
One essential pool upgrade to consider for monsoon preparedness is investing in a pool cover. By getting a robust and adequate pool cover, you can help prevent debris from entering your pool and causing damage or throwing your water chemistry askew. Find a pool cover that is secure and will cover the entirety of your pool without any openings.
Easy Pool Care Tips for Post-Storm Cleanup
After the storm has passed and you have checked your surroundings, see how your pool has held up. You may need to perform post-storm cleanup. This can range from testing systems for troubleshooting problems to simply clearing out any clutter. Here are some easy pool care tips for maintenance after the storm:
How To Remove Debris From Your Pool
Cleaning debris as soon as possible is among the most important first steps in post-storm cleanup. This will help prevent further contamination of the water and chemistry levels and better your odds against stains and mildew. Ensure all debris is removed from the water, poolside, and patio.
Clean Your Pool Filters
Once the immediate debris is cleared from your pool, inspect and clean your pool filters. A well-functioning and operating pool filter will keep your waters clear and crisp all year round. So when the storm passes, check if there are any signs of pool filter repair, such as:
- Increased pressure through gauge reading
- Reduced water flow
- Cloudy water
- Algae growth
How To Restore the Chemical Balance
An excellent next step in proper pool cleanup post-storm is to do one last check of your chemical levels. Although it may seem repetitive since you checked your water chemistry before the storm, the acidic rainfall can wildly change your pH levels. After ensuring the rainfall has ended, rebalance your pH levels using proper kits or chlorine at the instructed levels.
Inspect and Maintain Your Pool Equipment
Before you turn on any part of your pool system, check any electronic equipment and make sure it runs properly. Remove any coverings and carefully inspect for any signs of water damage. If any electrical equipment has been exposed to water, it must be inspected by a professional pool care technician.
Turn Your Pool System On
With reassurance that your pool’s electrical systems are in tip-top shape, it’s time to turn that baby on! Run your pool system for long hours each of the next couple of days after the storm. Pay special attention to any problems that might come across your filters and pumps. Whether it’s a small problem or a major malfunction, you’ll need to repair any issues with your system as soon as possible.
Monitor for Any Further Problems With Your Pool
As your pool systems run, do a final yet thorough inspection to ensure your pool is running correctly and clean as a whistle. Be on the lookout for any stains in your pool that need cleaning. Take notes if there are any malfunctions big or small, with your pool systems, including your pumps, filters, and drains.
If you notice any problems that require more than a simple cleaning or fix, don’t hesitate to contact a professional pool care technician for pool cleanup services.
Request the Best Pool Repair and Maintenance Services in Arizona at SPS PoolCare
Do you need a helping hand in repairing or maintaining your pool throughout the monsoon season? Come to SPS PoolCare to keep your pool in pristine condition. With several service branches across the Sun Belt, we offer premier repair and salt pool maintenance services that help you make owning a pool a joy. Reach out to your local SPS PoolCare branch to request our pool care services today!
