5 Tips to Prepare Your Pool for a Storm

Severe weather can strike without warning, leaving pool owners scrambling to protect their investment. In cases where you are aware of storms approaching, however, knowing how to properly prepare your pool can mean the difference between minor cleanup and costly repairs afterward.

Proper storm preparation protects both your pool structure and equipment from damage. Here are five essential tips to guard your pool when severe weather threatens:

1. Include your pool in your homeowner’s insurance policy
2. Power down and cover your pool equipment
3. Secure any movable objects around your pool
4. Never empty your pool
5. Avoid using the cover

At Caribbean Pools, we’ve witnessed many storms in our nearly 50 years of serving Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Taking these simple precautions could help you better protect your pool from severe weather and minimize any potential damage.

Include Your Pool in Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

Before any storm hits, verify that your pool is properly covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Many homeowners assume their pool is automatically included, but this isn’t always the case.

Contact your insurance agent to review your coverage. Document your pool’s current condition with photos for your records so that you can later demonstrate the extent of storm damage, if needed.

Power Down and Cover Your Pool Equipment

Your pool equipment can face serious risks during storms. Power surges can damage pumps, heaters, and filtration systems in seconds.

Before the storm arrives:

• Turn off all electrical equipment at the breaker
• Unplug portable equipment when possible
• Cover equipment with waterproof tarps or protective coverings
• Secure coverings to prevent them from blowing away

This simple step can save thousands in equipment replacement costs, as even brief power fluctuations during storms can cause permanent damage to sensitive electronic components.

Secure Any Moveable Objects Around Your Pool

Strong winds can turn ordinary pool accessories into dangerous projectiles. Unsecured items can damage your pool, deck, or neighboring property.

Items to secure or store indoors:

• Pool furniture and loungers
• Umbrellas and impermanent shade structures
• Decorative items and planters
• Grills and outdoor cooking equipment
• Pool toys and cleaning equipment

Store lightweight items in your garage or basement. Tie down heavier furniture or weigh it down securely. Remove anything that could become airborne from the pool area.

Never Empty Your Pool

Emptying your pool before a storm may seem like a good idea to prevent it from overflowing, but it can actually cause significant structural problems.

• Empty pools can shift, crack, or even pop out of the ground
• Hydrostatic pressure from groundwater can cause structural failure
• Pool walls may buckle without water support
• Refilling and rebalancing after emptying is expensive and time-consuming

Leave your pool full and uncovered. The water’s weight helps anchor and sustain your pool structure.

Avoid Using the Cover

A cover may seem like a smart choice to increase protection of your pool, but it can end up sustaining more damage if used during a storm.

• Covers can be damaged or destroyed by debris
• Strong winds can rip covers completely off
• Damaged covers often cause more problems than they prevent
• Covers often don’t effectively keep storm debris out

Protect Your Investment with Professional Care

Storm preparation helps protect your pool investment and ensures years of family enjoyment. These five steps offer essential protection methods, but severe weather can still cause unexpected damage.

Caribbean Pools has been helping families build and maintain their pools since 1976. Our experienced technicians provide comprehensive assessments, equipment repair, and chemical balancing services throughout Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area. Don’t let storm damage keep you out of the water. Contact Caribbean Pools today for professional, trusted pool care services to keep you and your family swimming.