Many homeowners have been confronted with this problem and often wonder 'what do you do when your pool is overflowing?' This is a problem that can occur quite frequently in Dallas during bad rain storms. Not to worry though, Pool Surgeon has you covered. If you are racking your brain trying to figure out how to remedy the problem, read on.
Draining Your Swimming Pool
The first step is to drain the excess water from your pool so you can focus on balancing your pools water chemistry. But what do you do when your yard is flooded and there's nowhere for the water to go? Unfortunately, because your yard can't store any more water, you'll have to wait for it to absorb some of it or start siphoning some out.
Here are a few options for reducing the water level:
To lower the levels, siphon the water. Keep in mind where you'll put the water. Know your city's restrictions if you plan on emptying it into the street drains. Wait a few hours if your backyard is too flooded.
- Attach your hose to a spigot and place the other end into the pool to siphon the water.
- Turn on the spigot until you see water coming out of the pool hose's end.
- Detach it from the spigot and cover the end with a cap.
- Finally, go to the drain and let the water out.
Pro Tips on Draining Water From Your Pool:
Use the drain on your pump. Drain spigots are available on some pumps, making it considerably easier to use than siphoning. Connect the hose to the spigot and the drain on the other end. Allow the pump to work by opening the spigot.
Consider using a submersible pump. You may simply have too much water for the other ways, in which case this is your best bet. Take out your pump, follow the instructions, and take a step back.
If any of this sounds like it's outside of your wheelhouse or just a task you don't want to be bothered with, absolutely contact us. We have skilled pool service specialists on hand and are always ready to assist.
Rain and the Chemistry of Your Water
When rain causes your pool to overflow, you must adjust the amount of chemicals you add to the pool. Why it important to balance your water chemistry after a storm? In a nutshell, there's simply too much water in your pool for the amount of chemicals you used. Rain is also acidic, which changes the chemistry of your pool.
Rainwater also carries contaminants from the air to your pool, as well as contamination you don't want. Algae can grow swiftly if you don't act promptly.
When your pool overflows, you must treat the chemical issues immediately. Test your water, or have us do it for you, to see what chemicals you'll need. It's also a good idea to shock your pool after a lot of rain.
Preventing a Pool from Overflowing
There are a few things you can do to keep your pool from overflowing or at least reduce the damage. First, before the storm, you can lower the water level in your pool. Check the weather forecast for the week. If it looks like a big rain storm is coming, it doesn't hurt to be a little preemptive and reduce the water level by a few inches.
Second, is take care of your yard's drainage. If you notice that your yard frequently floods again and again and you're always fighting the same problem, odds are drainage is your issue. Poor drainage is the source of a slew of water issues for homeowners, and ensuring that your drainage is appropriate will benefit both your home and your pool. Nipping drainage problems at the source can alleviate many future maintenance issues.
Final Thoughts on The Subject
Prepare for rain by lowering your water levels and ensuring that you have the necessary equipment to test your water chemistry. You can always have us test a sample of your water after it rains, and we'll tell you the exact chemicals you need to balance your pool and help restore your water back to swimmable levels. As one of the local leaders for Pool Service in Dallas, frequently we're the first company that homeowners and businesses call on to service their pool after a storm. If you need some help getting your pool back on track, we're just a phone call away.
