Texas weather is unpredictable, and storm season brings unique challenges for pool owners. From heavy rain and flooding to high winds and hail, severe weather can cause real damage to your pool, equipment, and surrounding area. The good news is that a little preparation goes a long way. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a storm keeps your pool protected and your recovery time short.
Before the Storm: Preparation Is Everything
The most effective thing you can do is prepare before a storm arrives. Start by securing or removing anything around your pool that could become a projectile. Patio furniture, umbrellas, pool toys, and decorative items can cause serious damage to your pool shell, equipment, or home if high winds pick them up.
Do not drain your pool before a storm, which is a common mistake many homeowners make. A full pool is actually more resistant to flooding pressure and ground movement than an empty one. An empty or partially drained pool can actually pop out of the ground when the surrounding soil becomes saturated with water, a phenomenon called hydrostatic uplift. Therefore, keeping your pool full is one of the smartest things you can do.
Trim Back Nearby Trees and Overhanging Branches
Before storm season even begins, take a walk around your pool and assess any trees nearby. Overhanging branches are one of the biggest sources of storm damage for pools and equipment. A falling branch can crack your pool deck, damage coping, puncture a cover, or destroy pump and filter equipment.
Additionally, even without a direct hit, high winds send smaller debris flying into pool water and circulation systems. Pruning back trees and removing dead limbs reduces this risk significantly. This is a routine maintenance step that pays off not just during storms but year-round.
Protect Your Equipment
Your pump, filter, and any automation equipment are vulnerable to both water intrusion and electrical damage during a storm. If heavy flooding is expected, shut off the power to all pool equipment at the breaker. Do not simply turn the equipment off at the control panel, because power surges can still reach the components.
In contrast, if only moderate rain is expected, you can keep equipment running because circulation actually helps distribute any chemicals diluted by rainwater. Use your judgment based on the severity of the incoming storm and follow local guidance. Covering exposed equipment with waterproof materials can provide additional protection against hail and wind-driven rain.
Lower Your Water Level Slightly
While you should not drain your pool, lowering the water level by six to twelve inches before a major storm is advisable. Heavy rain can quickly cause a pool to overflow, which can flood your yard, your deck, and potentially even reach your home’s foundation.
Lowering the water level gives the pool room to absorb significant rainfall without overflowing. Use your pool’s drain or a submersible pump to remove some water before the storm arrives. This step takes only a few minutes and prevents a significant headache afterward.
Shock the Pool Ahead of Time
Storms introduce all kinds of contaminants into your pool water, including debris, dirt, algae spores, and bacteria. Shocking your pool with a higher than normal dose of chlorine before a storm hits helps prepare the water to fight off this incoming contamination.
Additionally, check and adjust your pH and alkalinity levels before the storm. Balanced water chemistry going into a storm recovers much faster than water that was already out of balance. This step reduces the time and chemical cost of getting your pool back to swim-ready after the weather clears.
After the Storm: Assessment and Recovery
Once the storm passes, begin by removing debris from the water and pool deck as soon as it is safe to do so. Leaves, branches, and dirt left sitting in pool water accelerate algae growth. Use a net to clear the surface and vacuum the floor if sediment has settled.
Next, test your water chemistry and shock the pool again if needed. High rain volume dilutes your chemicals and shifts your pH, so a post-storm treatment is almost always necessary. Run your filtration system continuously for 24 to 48 hours to help clear the water.
Inspect your equipment, decking, coping, and pool shell for any visible damage. Look for cracks, shifted pavers, equipment that is out of position, or any signs of flooding around your pump and filter.
If you notice structural damage or if your equipment will not restart properly, contact a pool professional before attempting repairs on your own.
Call a Professional When Needed
Some storm damage is straightforward to address on your own, but other issues require expert attention. Cracks in the pool shell, shifting decking, electrical problems, or equipment failures should all be handled by a licensed pool professional.
At Avree Custom Pools, as pool builders in Houston, we serve homeowners with both new pool construction and ongoing service and repair. If a Texas storm leaves your pool in need of attention, our team is ready to help you get back to enjoying your backyard as quickly as possible.
