Living in Florida means enjoying beautiful weather and year-round pool days—but it also means preparing for hurricane season. Strong winds, heavy rain, and flying debris can all impact your pool and outdoor space if proper precautions aren’t taken ahead of time.

Preparing your pool before a storm arrives can help minimize damage, protect your equipment, and make post-storm cleanup much easier. Here are some important steps homeowners should take to get their pool ready for hurricane season.

Don’t Drain Your Pool

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make before a hurricane is draining their pool. While it may seem like a good idea, removing water can actually cause serious structural damage.

Pools are designed to stay full, and the weight of the water helps protect them from:

• Groundwater pressure
• Pool “floating” or shifting
• Structural cracking

 Instead of draining your pool, keep the water at its normal operating level.

Balance Your Pool Water

Before a storm arrives, it’s a good idea to shock your pool and balance the water chemistry. Heavy rainfall and debris can quickly throw off chemical levels.

Recommended prep includes:

• Adjusting chlorine levels
• Balancing pH and alkalinity
• Adding algaecide if needed

Balanced water can help prevent algae growth and make cleanup easier after the storm passes.

Remove Loose Outdoor Items

Strong hurricane winds can turn patio furniture, pool accessories, and decor into dangerous projectiles.

Before the storm:

• Store patio furniture indoors
• Remove pool floats and toys
• Secure umbrellas and outdoor decor
• Bring potted plants inside if possible

This helps protect both your pool and surrounding property.

Protect Pool Equipment

Your pool equipment is one of the most important parts of your system, and protecting it during hurricane season is essential.

To help reduce damage:

• Turn off power to pool equipment before the storm
• Shut off gas lines to heaters if applicable
• Secure loose equipment components
• Cover equipment if recommended by the manufacturer

Avoid wrapping equipment tightly in plastic, as trapped moisture can sometimes cause additional issues.

Trim Trees and Landscaping

Overhanging branches and weak landscaping can quickly become a problem during high winds. Trimming trees and removing dead branches before hurricane season can help reduce debris falling into the pool.

This simple step may also help protect:

• Screen enclosures
• Pool decks
• Outdoor lighting
• Water features

Don’t Cover the Pool

While it may seem logical to cover your pool before a storm, most standard pool covers are not designed to handle hurricane-force winds or heavy debris.

In many cases, leaving the pool uncovered is the safer option. The pool itself can collect debris more safely than a damaged or torn cover.

After the Storm Passes

Once conditions are safe:

• Remove large debris carefully
• Check equipment before restarting it
• Test and rebalance water chemistry
• Clean filters and skimmer baskets
• Inspect the pool and surrounding area for damage

If flooding or major debris is present, it may be best to contact a pool professional before restarting your system.

Hurricane season is a reality for Florida homeowners, but a little preparation can go a long way in protecting your pool and outdoor space. By securing loose items, balancing water chemistry, and protecting equipment ahead of time, you can reduce stress and help prevent costly damage.

Taking the right precautions now means your pool will be easier to clean, safer to operate, and ready to enjoy again once the storm passes.

For other tips and tricks, check out our blog!

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