What will mess up a pool

You will probably have to run the pump for an extended period of time to clean debris. If you were able to safely remove the pump before a hurricane, then you will need to reinstall it.

After getting the debris out of the pool, test the water chemistry and add start the process of balancing it. The faster you can start this, the easier it will be to get things back in place. If your pool is looking green after a storm , you can take some simple steps to get it looking crystal clear again.

Running the pump continuously can reduce the time in between cleanings. Make sure to check it before and after running the pump. From the high winds to the copious amounts of rain, hurricanes and tropical depressions can cause a lot of damage to your pool and other parts of your property. Usually, you do have warning that a major weather event is on the way, so you can take the following steps to prepare your pool to protect against damage:. Make sure you turn off all power before the storm.

Turn off your pool pump and the timer if you have one. Cover the pump and filter if you have a cover. If not, remove it if you can do so safely. Turn off the gas to help prevent any leaks if you have a heated pool or hot tub. Add algaecide to help combat the effects of algae and other rainwater contaminants.

Shock the pool by adding chlorine. If you have a pump cover, place it over the pump before the storm hits as an added layer of protection. If you have a gas-powered water heater, you need to protect it from severe storm damage. Try to turn off the gas at its source. Also, invest in a heater cover. This will protect your heater from undue damage during a severe downpour or thunderstorm. Most pools have an overflow system to handle extra water. If you want to be extra safe, you can lower the pool water by up to one foot before a heavy storm.

Hydrostatic pressure from saturated earth will put pressure on the bottom of your pool. It is crucial to keep enough weight from the pool water to counteract that pressure. You can expect a heavy rain to introduce lots of organic matter and algae spores to your pool.

The main time to deal with the mess is after the storm has passed. Adding some algicide to your pool water will help you get out ahead of the algae. It can help prevent an algae bloom when the rain clears and the sun comes out and warms the water. The first thing you should do is remove any large debris.

Fallen tree branches, blown patio furniture, and other large, obvious debris should be removed from the pool. Next, check the skimmer and pump basket for debris such as leaves and organic matter. Once the skimmer and pump basket have been emptied, you can turn on the pump to start filtering out small debris.

While your pump is doing its job, break out the skimmer net and pool vacuum to clean up larger debris. Since homeowners with pools face the potential for pool-related injuries or even deaths, insurance providers commonly refer to residential pools as "attractive nuisances. Taking out a personal umbrella insurance policy is a good way to do this.

The additional coverage can help cover paying for judgments against you, as well as attorney fees, according to the Insurance Information Institute. You might think that adding a pool to your backyard would boost your home's resale value significantly.

It won't. This includes living in a warmer climate and residing in a high-end neighborhood where most of your potential neighbors have a pool in the backyard, as well as having a lot big enough to accommodate a pool while still having room for a garden or play area for kids, the site notes. A backyard swimming pool might even scare away potential buyers who are turned off by the work and expense required to maintain a pool, says Christopher Suranna, a Washington, D. As if your energy bills weren't high enough during the hot summer months, add an in-ground pool to the mix and they will climb even higher.

If you have a pool that's heated, you'll spend much more. The low estimate is for a heat pump, and the high estimate is for an electrical resistance heater. Recreational water-related illnesses such as ear and respiratory infections, rashes and diarrhea are caused by exposure to water contaminated with germs and chemicals found in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, and various other public swimming spaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control CDC. What can pool owners do to avoid water-related illnesses?

Never allow swimmers with diarrhea to swim in a pool. It's a leading cause of pool contamination. Regular pool maintenance is also critical to help prevent these types of germs from making you, your family and your friends sick. The out-of-pocket costs that come with buying a home are already high, but purchasing a home with a pool is even more expensive.

That's because hiring a traditional home inspector to examine the pool won't cut it. Most have limited knowledge and training, says Maria Zamora, a real-estate agent based in Addison, Texas. The pool inspector will also need to examine the operating systems both plumbing and electrical , the pool's interior surface, main drain and deck surfacing, Zamora adds.

This person should also be able to identify any federal, state or local issues pertaining to fencing, as well as any other safety-related problems. You'll get search results for certified pool inspectors within a to mile radius of your home. Zamora also advises buyers to purchase a home warranty that includes coverage for any major pool repairs.

For families with young children, having a home with a pool can be a great source of recreation during summer breaks from school. Parents don't have to shell out a small fortune to visit a water park or worry about paying for overpriced food and drinks at the concession stand. However, by the time the kids hit high school, hanging poolside with Mom and Dad is likely the last thing they'll want to do. Your main drain will handle some of the cleaning while you keep busy.

Shocking your pool replenishes the chlorine lost from the rain. That way, by the time you do start adjusting chemicals, your chlorine levels will be closer to the normal range.

Most pool surface debris is limited to leaves, twigs, and bugs. But the point here is to clear out everything on the surface. To speed up skimming in the future: add an automatic skimmer to your pool. These handy pool accessories attach to your return jets and peak out just above the surface of your water, catching any surface debris that comes around.