Rain Water and your Inground Pool
In the final segment of our summer pool health series, we would like to address a common issue for many parts of Florida: heavy rains and inground pools.
Heavy rains are a common occurrence in many parts of Florida. Rainfall can create problems for gardens, lawns, and even homes. Heavy rains are also a problem for inground pools. Many common cosmetic and health concerns arise from the effect of rainwater in pools. Here are some facts about what can happen to your inground pool after heavy rains, when to take action, and what to do.
Rain Brings Bigger Problems
Inground pools rely on proper levels of chemicals to prevent problems like algae, bacteria, and mosquito breeding. When unchecked, many issues can arise. These can be linked to health concerns for swimmers. For example, swimming in untreated inground pools, can lead to skin disorders and bacterial infections. Because of its acidity, rain water can sometimes change the chemical composition of your pool and lower its resistance to bacteria and algae contamination.
Did you know that airborne algae spores can be transported through raindrops?
Community-wide issues like mosquito infestations, a common problem in many parts of Florida, can also be a result of heavy rains. Not only will the altered chemical composition of the pool water not properly defend against larvae, but the floating debris that washes into your inground pool can easily become a breeding ground for these pests.
Through regularly scheduled maintenance, you can ensure that your inground pool does not become a problem.
Rain Maintenance and your Inground Pool
Pool water is less likely to be affected by a small amount of rainfall. However, heavy rains can significantly impact a pool’s health. In many parts of Florida, small afternoon storms are a daily summertime occurrence. These can also have a cumulative effect on your pool’s health. Furthermore, debris can be washed into your pool from any amount of rain. So, it is important to keep a constant eye on your inground pool’s cleanliness and chemical levels throughout the rainy season.
Maintain a regular pool cleaning routine during the rainy season, but take extra care after a heavy storm or extended period of rain.
What to do After a Heavy Rain
If you have a professional service maintain your pool, much of the routine maintenance will already be handled on a regular basis. However, after a heavy storm, you may need to address certain issues on your own. Here are a few tips from swimuniversity.com about what to do after a heavy rain.
- Clean your inground pool of any debris. This helps to maintain the appearance of your pool, prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the floating debris, and extends the life of your filters and circulation systems.
- Check the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels of your inground pool. These help maintain the clear quality of the water and potential health risks.
- Check the water level of your pool. While this might not seem as big of an issue as the others, it is important to ensure that the balance of chemicals is correct for your pool.
Even if you have a pool service for maintenance, a quick check after a heavy storm can have a significant impact on your pool.
Pool Care and You
To conclude our series about pool health, it is important to note that pools are supposed to be fun. So, stick to a schedule, and make sure that your pool does not become a problem. Plenty of services are available to help. For situational maintenance, such as after a heavy rain, follow your specific pool’s guidelines for care. If you have a professional service, you may want to ask them for some maintenance tips in-between scheduled cleanings.
A healthier pool means more fun for you and your family!
