POOL CARE TIPS DURING ARIZONA’S MONSOON SEASON

Arizona residents are very aware of the upcoming monsoon season in the desert & need to prepare their homes, landscaping and pools to prevent potential disastrous results. During monsoon season, the wind speeds increase greatly and can range from 30 to 50 MPH. These storms also have the potential to bring the risk of dust storms, or haboobs, which can hurl dirt & debris at whatever is in its path. These increased wind speeds can damage windows, roofs, and can increase water damage to vulnerable areas of a home, especially when they are combined with dust storms. Many residents in Arizona who have pools often struggle to keep them clean and working properly during the stormy monsoon season. We will discuss tips & tricks to keep your pool in good condition during the monsoon season in Arizona.

Along with keeping the pool clean and operational during monsoon season, be sure to keep an eye on your water chemistry as well. If you are struggling to maintain your water chemistry, especially with chlorine, cyanuric acid, and salt levels, you may very well have a leak in your pool. Also, if your autofill valve is running constantly, especially with the heavy rainfall from the storms, that is a good sign that your pool has a potential leak that needs to be addressed.

POOL PREPARATION PRIOR TO MONSOON/DUST STORM

In Arizona, not only is it vital to test & maintain your pool water chemistry all year round, including PH & alkalinity, but specifically during the storm season to maintain clean & healthy water. It’s always a good idea to skim the pool surface before the storms to remove twigs, leaves and other debris from inside of the pool. Along with that, we also recommend removing any patio furniture & planters from the edge of the pool to avoid items falling into the pool, potentially causing damage to your deck & pool interior from excessive winds. If you own a pool cover, whether automatic or manual, it would be a very good idea to cover your pool prior to a monsoon or dust storm to prevent additional dirt & debris from entering the pool. Lastly, it is highly recommended to run your pool pump for a 2-3 hour duration right before the storm hits to make sure the pool is circulating & filtering out the newly added dirt & debris.

POOL MAINTENANCE AFTER THE MONSOON/DUST STORM

After the storm passes & it is safe to go outside, it’s a good idea to clean the skimmer & pump baskets to avoid clogs and ensure the pool pump is running at its optimal efficiency. Also, if you notice higher pressure on your pool filter after the storm passes, it is very important to clean your cartridge filter or backwash your sand/DE filters. This vital step will keep the pool clean and the system operating efficiently. After the storm, when the pool pump is still running its temporary cleaning cycle, shock the pool with liquid or granular chlorine to eliminate potential bacteria that may have been added by rainwater & debris. Now that the skies are clear and the pool is clean, you are now safe to restore your patio furniture & planters around your pool and continue enjoying your backyard oasis. Pinpoint Leak Detection & Repair are here for all your leak detection needs and look forward to helping you in any way we can!.