Hurricane Matthew swept through central and northeastern Florida bringing several inches of rain as expected. You may not have been forced to evacuate if you were out of the coastal storm surge area but you were instructed to take the necessary precautions to prepare for a hurricane.
This includes removing any loose items from your yard and pool deck. You probably made sure any pool or spa tub covers were on as tight as possible. Nevertheless, high winds probably brought debris to your yard and pool area.
There are several steps to take for assessing damage and cleaning the pool after the storm.
Hopefully, your pool cover and/or spa cover remained tight during the storm. The Brevard County coast was hit with 97 mph winds that could pull up trees. You may have tree limbs and palm fronds littering your yard. A pool cover should be pulled back slowly to remove debris and excess water.
Pull all leaves, twigs, and palm fronds out of the pool if it was not covered. Sweep the pool and use the leaf net to remove as much surface debris as possible. Vacuum the pool when power is restored. Check for damage to the pump system before using it.
If your pool was uncovered, the rain probably added more water. Several in-ground pools along the coast were inundated with seawater from the storm surge. Those pools will need all sand removed and the water drained when the weather and seas are calm.
Do not partially drain a pool anywhere until you are certain the ground is dry. This may take days, a week, or more, especially if you are in a flooded area.
If the water level is actually lower, you may have a leak that is flooding the saturated ground. Check all railings and other fittings around the pool that may have come loose in the wind. Tighten any ladders or rails in pools and tubs. This can be an easy swimming pool repair to prevent further water loss.
Check the pH balance of the water even if you are not using the pool. You don't need a build-up of algae while the ground dries out. Also check your pump fittings, skimmer, and filters to make sure everything is secure.
Check the area at the waterline and the surface below for cracks when you are ready to go back into the pool. Any damage should be immediately repaired.
It may be easier to check for problems in above-ground pools and spa tubs. These pools are usually covered. Check the frame and decking for wind damage. The outer surface of a fiberglass or vinyl pool can be checked for cracks.
A hotel or resort may need a swimming pool repair as a result of storm damage. Pools not at ground level may still have sustained some wind damage. Commercial pools often have more railings and ladders that can come loose from high winds. The drains and skimmers must be checked as well. Many resort pools have covers that hopefully protected them from flying debris.
Aquaman Leak Detection is standing by with a staff ready to make swimming pool repairs in Brevard County and all of Florida. We are prepared for every post-storm swimming pool repair that might be necessary for residential or commercial pools.