Heavy rain is something Southern Ontario has experienced a lot of these past few weeks. The bad news is that rain always comes back – and it can stop you from using your pool.

So when the rain comes down, our customers come in to ask us if rainfall can cause issues to their pool. The answer is unquestionably YES!

If your pool is open, a light rain will likely have no effect on your pool. But on those days that bring large rainfall, you need to know what to look for to properly assess potential problems that rain can cause. This includes rainwater that has washed into your pool from your landscape or deck.

When left unchecked, these problems can lead to a green and cloudy pool or potentially expensive repairs, unless you have a plan to minimize the effects heavy rain can cause.

1) Watch Your Pool Water Level

Naturally, if we get a lot of rain at once, or several days of rain in a row, there’s a chance that the water level in your pool will rise. With very heavy rain, you may find your pool overflowing.

You need to take action before the water level gets too high. If it does, the skimmer won’t be able to pick up the surface debris, and everything that’s usually caught in the skimmer basket will sink to the bottom. This means you’ll have to vacuum your pool to get the debris, cutting into the time you could otherwise be enjoying it.

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to stop the pool water level from rising too high and making your skimmer less effective. If you have a sand filter, simply give the pool a long backwash. This will remove excess water from the pool and bring the water level down. At the same time, you’ll also be cleaning your filter!

Because backwashing can lower the water level quickly, don’t leave the pool area to let the filter run unsupervised. You don’t want to let the water level get too low, which can damage your pool pump.

2) Clean Up Pool Water Debris Quickly

We know you’re diligent about cleaning up leaves, twigs, and other organic debris that fall into your pool. But in the event of heavy rain, cloudy pool water can result from the extra organic materials that the rain has knocked off nearby trees.

A greater abundance of this debris can consume your pool sanitizer, which can cause cloudy pool water, green pool water, or algae growth.

Clean your pool soon after the rain stops, to recapture pool water that’s clean and crystal clear.

3) Shock Your Pool

Even if the rain didn’t cause leaves and organic debris to enter your pool, the rain itself can be cause for concern.

Rainwater carries nutrients, organic material, and nature that can cause algae to grow in your pool water. That’s great for the swamp, but not for your pool. You need to shock your pool as soon as possible after a heavy rainstorm.

BioGuard® Smart Shock will help remove nitrogen and other unwanted elements from your pool water so it doesn’t turn green or become cloudy. If your pool water has already discoloured after a rainfall, shock your pool with BioGuard® Burnout, which will bring back that crystal clear water you had before the rain.  

4) Prevent Equipment Damage – Have Your Pool Water Tested

You should also be aware that heavy rainfall can change your water chemistry which, if left unchecked, can lead to equipment or surface damage.

The pH and alkalinity levels of your pool water are affected by rain. Rainwater absorbs industrial gases in the atmosphere, bringing all sorts of unwanted effects to your pool when it falls.

The average pH level of rainwater is between 4.0 and 8.0. This can vary depending on where you live and changes from one rainfall to the next. We often capture and test rainwater and have found our most recent rains have a pH between 7.4 and 8.0, which doesn’t make a huge difference on your chemistry, but is not the end of the story.

The same goes for your pool’s alkalinity, which should be approximately 120ppm. Rainfall has an alkalinity of approximately 10ppm or less which is dramatically different from what your pool should be, so heavy rainfall can also negatively affect your pool’s alkalinity.

If your alkalinity level drops too low, your pool liner, concrete, tiles, and pool equipment will be damaged over time. These are expensive repairs that sneak up on you, but can be avoided with a simple water test.

Bring a sample of your water to Lakeshore Pools & Hot Tubs for a free pool water test after the storm. In five minutes, we’ll tell you if you need to make any adjustments so your investment is protected.

We can’t stop the rain, but by following these 4 steps your pool will be protected from the negative effects heavy rainfall can bring, and ensure that your pool will be swim ready, rain or shine!

Since 2004, Lakeshore Polls & Hot Tubs has been the “port” after every storm for Mississauga pool owners. Visit our store at 309 Lakeshore East in Mississauga or call (905) 891-8818 to speak to our award-winning staff about correcting any pool problems you might have, including pool water chemistry, pool chemicals, and cleaning your pool after a rainfall. We’re here to help so get in touch with us today!