April Showers and Your Fiberglass Swimming Pool
It's true what they say; April showers bring May flowers. What they don't tell you is how those showers can put a damper on your pool time and the pool itself.
Here we will discuss how these Spring showers can affect fiberglass pools, and what you can do to get your pool in tip-top swimming shape.
Grab the Net
After a storm, you will want to skim and clean your pool for any debris. You'll also want to check the baskets and clear those too.
In addition, if you bought a vacuum from the pool company, you will want to run that through your pool. This, of course, is something you should be doing on a regular basis regardless, but most definitely after a storm.
Check for Overflow
Another important thing to do after a rainstorm is to check your swimming pool's water level. Depending on how long and how hard it has been raining, it's possible in-ground pools in Biloxi, Ms can overfill with water and flow out into your yard.
If there is an excess of water, your equipment may have a way to lower the level safely. Because valve and plumbing setups differ from pool to pool, check the instructions for your equipment or ask a pool service professional rather than experimenting with the valves yourself.
Balance the Pool's pH
Following a rain storm, it is probable your pool's pH will be off balance, as well as your total alkalinity. Both of these will need to be addressed and remedied before getting back in the pool.
You will also want to test your chlorine levels or any other alternative sanitizer. If your pH is off balance, it can lead to problems with the effectiveness of the chlorine, so it's worth it to go ahead and check this too while you're at it.
Industry sources publish general target ranges for pool water balance; the guide below is one commonly cited reference. Always follow your test kit and chemical labels for your specific pool:
- pH: 7.2 to 7.8
- Total Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness, 180-220 ppm
- Chlorine levels should remain constant in the 1-3 ppm range
Although it may be tempting to cannon ball after a week of heavy downpours, following these tips are vital not only to the health of your pool, but, and most importantly, to the health of you.
For a deeper understanding of how to manage your water balance, read our complete guide to swimming pool water chemistry. If severe weather is on the horizon, you may also want to review our tips on hurricane preparedness for your fiberglass pool in Mississippi.
This article is general educational information about pool ownership. It does not describe the methods, specifications, or warranties of Bay Pool Company. Construction and installation practices vary by site and follow the pool manufacturer's specifications.