Are storms on their way?

Prevent your pool from flooding, with our simple Storm Preparation Checklist

If heavy storms are predicted and you have time to prepare, here is a quick checklist that will help you avoid having to deal with a flooded pool.

1. Reduce Water Level - if you don't have an auto leveller installed on the pool (not many people do), then you will need to reduce the water level in your pool so it is sitting halfway up your skimmer box. If the level is any lower than this, there will not be enough water in the skimmer box to allow your pool filtration to operate. Reduce your pool water level by doing a Backwash and Rinse on your Sand Filter.
2. Clean Drains - any drainage points located around the pool should be cleaned and free of debris.
3. Clean Pool Area - put away any pool toys, pool cleaning equipment and light weight entertaining furniture (you don't want them to blow away or cause damage to the pool in any way). Also clean the area to ensure it is free of leaves and other debris that may block drains or wash into the pool.
4. Clean Pool Filtration Area - the pool's filtration area can also flood, it is a great idea to clean this area and ensure it is free from debris and chemicals (especially open packets).
5. Remove Pool Cleaner - to prevent damage to the pool cleaner (suction cleaner or robotic pool cleaner), remove it completely from the pool and place it in storage. If you have a robot, be sure to store the power box for the robot up high - if this is submerged in water it will need replacing.
6. Prevent a Green Pool - it is common for pools to turn cloudy or green with heavy rain and storms. To help minimise the chances of this happening, a shock dose of chlorine should be added to the pool (follow the directions on the chlorine's packaging in terms of dosage) before the rain and storms arrive.
7. Sand Bag - if you are able to, some pool owners place sand bags around the pool's edge (be careful that they don't fall in) to help prevent excess water/garden bed run off ending up in the pool.

Flooded Pool?

Our Flooded Pool Checklist will help you tackle your flooded pool head on!

Having been in the local community for over 40 years, we have experienced a number of flash floods and now know a thing or two on how to best handle a flooded pool. Here is a checklist to follow before you start treating the pool water chemically:

1. Reduce Water Level - first start by reducing the water level back to a normal level (1/2 up the skimmer box).
   Sand Filter: Turn filter to Waste and turn on system.
   Cartridge: Connect the waste hose to the diversion valve located at the base of the cartridge filter and open valve.
2. Equipment Check - check the pump, filter and other mechanical parts of the pool system for damage. If there is any damaged equipment, see the applicable manufacturer for instructions or replacement parts or contact the Albatross Pool Shop for guidance.
3. Clean Out  - to ensure you achieve the best circulation when treating your flooded pool, be sure to clean out your skimmer basket and pump basket.
4. Scoop  - scoop all debris from the pool (if you can’t see the bottom of the pool, scoop carefully as objects may have washed into the pool water). The water has probably brought in leaves and other debris from the surrounding areas. They will add large amounts of organic matter to the water (also known as algae food), which in turn will cause issues with algae and your pool's chlorine residual. The sooner the rubbish is removed from the pool; the sooner clean-up can begin. Handy Tip: take care when scooping as the net in the scoop may get damaged (replacement nets are available in store)
5. Vacuum - if you have a sand filter and can see the bottom of the pool and there is matter settled on the pool floor, do a vac-to-waste (top up water level if needed afterwards). Be sure not to vacuum as normal as you want to avoid having this debris going through your media in the filter.
6. Remove Cleaner - robotic/automatic pool cleaner from the pool and remove pool cover completely.
7. Water Sample - take a water sample into your local pool shop for testing - it is a great idea to take a photo of your pool (the entire pool and a photo looking into the pool), this will allow local pool shop to recommend the best treatment option so you can get back to enjoying safe, crystal clear water as quickly as possible.
   REMEMBER: The water sample needs to be a true indicator of your pool water, if the pool hasn't filtered for a few hours and you simply skim water from the top, it is likely you are only sampling fresh rain water (fresh water and pool water separate if they haven't been filtered after a big storm).

Depending on your pool's water clarity, sometimes the best treatment is to floc your swimming pool water using a good quality Pool Water Flocculent such as BioGuard Power Floc Maxi or BioGuard One Shock Floc (after you have followed the Flooded Pool Checklist). Once you have flocked the pool water, you can then begin balancing the pool water and treating the algae. During the last floods, particularly in the Warrandyte Community, we found BioGuard Pool Tonic to also be a very effective in removing unwanted contaminants from the pool water that the storm and excessive flooding had introduced. Open seven days a week (our Dandenong store is currently closed Tuesday and Wednesday), the Albatross Pool Stores would test and assess your pool water (and look at any photos you have available) before suggesting the best treatment plan for your flooded pool.