Cleaning Your Swimming Pool After Heavy Rains, Storms, and Strong Winds

Heavy downpours, storms, and fierce winds often turn your beautiful swimming pool into a debris-filled mess. But don’t worry, because we've got your back! In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you step by step through restoring your pool to its sparkling glory. From brushing and skimming to water testing and shock treatments, we've got all the tips and tricks you need to conquer post-storm pool maintenance like a pro. 

Cleaning your pool after heavy rains or storms

Brush and Skim the Pool: Start by brushing and skimming the pool surface to remove any excess debris brought in by the storm. Thoroughly clear out all debris from your skimmer and pump baskets to ensure optimal filtration efficiency. In addition, vacuum the pool if finer debris has settled to the bottom of the pool.

Lower the Water Level: Depending on the intensity of the rainfall, you may need to lower the pool’s water level to prevent overflow. Follow your pool's recommended water level guidelines to maintain the proper balance and prevent potential damage.

Test and Rebalance Pool Water: A heavy rainstorm can cause an imbalance in your pool's water chemistry. Use reliable testing methods like HTH™ Pool Care 6-Way Test Strips to assess the pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and other crucial levels. Download the HTH™ Test to Swim App to get quick, accurate test results plus personalized recommendations to make weekly water care easier and more convenient.

Shock the Pool: To eliminate any contaminants and restore water clarity, shock your pool with a strong chlorine treatment like HTH™ Pool Care Shock. Run your filtration system continuously for at least 12 to 24 hours to ensure thorough circulation and sanitation.

To make your post-storm pool maintenance hassle-free, we recommend the following products:

Want more?

If you have additional pool water care or product questions, we’re always here to help. Follow HTH™ Pool Care on social, reach out via our Chat feature or find a store near you.

Our Pool Opening page also has great into to make sure the start of the season goes swimmingly. You’re all clear with HTH®!