Southwest Florida’s Storm Season and the Common Pool Problems it Brings

In the wake of the last major storm, is your pool a shade of green? Have you been at it day in and day out with debris in the water? You may be asking yourself if all the rain has put your water chemistry in disarray.

Those are questions we hear often. Pool Service Unlimited has been putting in the work to keep pools in good shape for homeowners in Collier and Lee Counties since 2005, and we have no shortage of business in storm season. To discuss what your pool is in need of, call (239) 306-6630.

The kind of heavy rain, high winds and now and then a tropical system that is part of a Southwest Florida summer will do its damage. Your pool can stand up to the weather here but the storms exact a toll on the equipment and the water itself. We have put together some of the more frequent issues we come across when the skies open up and the reasons behind them.

Debris in the Pump and Water

When a storm comes through the wind is the first thing to make an impression on your pool. It is not long before you have palm fronds, small branches, leaves and dirt blowing in. Once they go under they are apt to clog your pump and skimmer basket.

You will find heavy debris will have an effect on:

• A skimmer basket that will fill up and put an end to surface cleaning
• The pump basket where clogs can diminish flow
• Drains and returns that get blocked
• The filter being made to work over time for fine particles
• Any organic matter left on the pool floor to break down and leave stains

It is not merely an eyesore either. Organic material will feed algae and unbalance the chemistry so the quicker it is removed the better.

Water Turning Green or Cloudy

We are frequently called about water that has gone cloudy or green in the span of a night following a storm. Rain will dilute the chlorine and move your pH around, opening the door for algae.

With enough rain you can expect a number of things:

• Rainwater will see your chlorine levels fall
• The acidity of the rain can cause the pH to swing
• Contaminants from debris
• Fertilizer and dirt coming in with the runoff
• Algae taking hold in the warm water

But it is something we can put right. Clearing the debris and getting the chemistry in order does the trick. Every visit with us involves chemical balancing as part of our 10-Step process; standard pool chemicals are included in the service.

An Imbalance in Chemistry

Storms have a way of wrecking your chemical balance even when the water appears clear. The volume of rain is usually to blame. After a week of afternoon downpours a pool that was in perfect order on Monday will be off by Friday.

That sort of imbalance is a headache in the form of:

• Sanitizer too weak to deal with bacteria or algae
• Skin and eye irritation from a pH that is out of whack
• Scale or corrosion on the equipment
• Equipment wearing out quicker than it should
• Water that will not clear up

Our technicians are Certified Pool/Spa Operators and can tell by looking at the water what is needed to stave off trouble.

Power and Water Damage to Equipment

Pumps, heaters, filters and automation systems can suffer from the power surges, flooding and debris of a storm. A surge is enough to put a pump motor out of commission and you can have electrical issues from a flooded pad.

After the fact look for:

• Anything out of the ordinary with the pump or motor
• Little or no flow
• A breaker that is tripped and will not reset
• Non-responsive timers or automation
• Water in places it ought not to be on the equipment pad

Should any of that require attention, our in-house repair department will take care of it. We do not use subcontractors, all our technicians are employees who have been background checked, so there is no question as to who is on your property.

When the Water Level Rises

A lot of rain will put the water level over the skimmer line, halting the skimming and possibly flooding the deck. Part of restoring the pool is to lower it back to where it belongs and rebalance after the added rainwater.

Be Prepared for Storm Season

There is no substitute for regular maintenance to ward off the effects of a storm. A pool on a schedule of being cleaned and inspected will recover much swifter than one left to its own devices. Our 10-Step process is designed for just that, and you will not be signing any long-term contracts.

For a free estimate and to have us make your water clear again, give Pool Service Unlimited a ring at (239) 306-6630. From 8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday we are at your service in Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Marco Island and throughout the rest of Collier and Lee Counties.