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Take steps to protect swimming pool
By Times Staff
Published April 16, 2006
How should I prepare my pool for a hurricane? Shock your pool with a heavy dose of chlorine, said Jim Manning, executive director of the United Pool and Spa Association, a trade group for pool contractors and service companies based in Tampa. It's okay to throw the pool furniture in the water, but remove it promptly after the storm so steel parts don't leave rust marks on the pool floor and sides. There's no need to lower the water level in the pool before a storm, Manning said. "It doesn't do any good. But if you feel compelled that you absolutely must do something, do not lower the water level below the operational level of the skimmer.'' The pool pumps are cooled by water, and if there's no water available, the pumps get hot, "and you're in big trouble,'' Manning said. "It's not good for the filtration system ever to lower the water below skimmer level.'' What about after the storm? Give your swimming pool routine maintenance as you would after any heavy use, Manning said. Remove large debris (branches, big leaves), clean the pool to remove small particles and balance the chemicals. If you think your pool had any kind of saltwater contamination, "seek help from a local pool service company,'' Manning said. "That's not something a typical homeowner can deal with.''
[Last modified April 13, 2006, 16:16:28]
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