Arizona Monsoon Pool Cleanup: What to Do After the Storm
How to Clean Up Your Pool After an Arizona Monsoon
Arizona monsoons can turn a clean swimming pool into a mess in a matter of minutes. High winds and dust storms can dump leaves, branches, dirt, insects, landscaping debris, and fine desert dust directly into your pool.
The temptation is to immediately turn on the pool equipment and let the filtration system handle everything. But after a major storm, that can put unnecessary strain on your skimmer, pump, and filter.
The right cleanup order can make a big difference.
Start by Removing Large Debris From the Pool
Before running your pool equipment, remove as much large debris as possible.
Use a pool leaf rake or deep skimmer net to collect leaves, twigs, palm debris, flowers, insects, and other material floating on the surface or sitting on the bottom.
Don’t worry about getting every small particle yet. The goal is to remove anything large enough to clog the skimmer basket or restrict water flow.
If branches or other heavy objects have fallen into the pool, remove those carefully before operating an automatic pool cleaner.
Empty Your Skimmer and Pump Baskets
Arizona monsoon winds can fill a skimmer basket surprisingly quickly.
Check and empty every skimmer basket before starting the filtration system. A packed skimmer basket can significantly reduce water flow.
You should also inspect the pump basket.
If debris has already reached the pump basket, shut the pump off before opening it. Remove the debris, reinstall the basket, secure the pump lid, and make sure the pump is properly primed before restarting the system.
During a particularly messy cleanup, check the baskets several times.
Brush the Pool
Fine Arizona dust doesn’t always remain suspended in the water. It can settle across the pool floor, steps, benches, walls, and other surfaces.
Brush the entire pool to loosen dirt and dust.
- Steps and benches
- Corners
- Behind ladders
- Around drains
- Areas with poor circulation
Brushing helps move fine debris into circulation where the filtration system can begin removing it.
Vacuum the Pool
Once the larger debris has been removed, vacuuming can handle material that has settled on the bottom.
If there’s only a light layer of dust, your normal pool vacuum or automatic cleaner may be sufficient.
After a severe dust storm, however, the amount of sediment can be substantial.
If your system allows vacuuming to waste, that may be useful when there’s an unusually heavy layer of dirt on the pool floor because the debris is discharged instead of being sent through the filter.
Keep an eye on your pool’s water level whenever vacuuming to waste.
Run the Pool Filter Longer Than Normal
Your filtration system now has to remove the fine particles you couldn’t collect manually.
Consider extending your normal filtration cycle after a significant monsoon.
How long the system needs to run depends on the severity of the storm, your pool size, circulation, filter type, and how dirty the water became.
Check the pool periodically rather than assuming one filtration cycle will completely clear the water.
Check Your Filter Pressure
Your filter may collect considerably more dirt than usual following a monsoon.
Watch the filter pressure gauge.
If the pressure rises significantly above the normal clean operating pressure for your particular system, the filter may need to be cleaned or backwashed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Don’t simply assume cloudy water means you need more chemicals. The problem may be that your filter is loaded with debris and isn’t operating efficiently.
Test Your Pool Water
A monsoon doesn’t just bring debris. Heavy rain, windblown dust, organic material, and runoff can affect pool water chemistry.
Once the physical cleanup is underway, test the water for important levels such as:
- Free chlorine
- pH
- Total alkalinity
- Cyanuric acid
- Calcium hardness
Correct the chemistry based on actual test results rather than automatically adding large amounts of chlorine or other chemicals.
If you’re unsure about your results, take a water sample to a local Arizona pool supply store for professional testing.
Don’t Automatically Shock the Pool
It’s common to hear that every pool should be shocked immediately after a storm. That isn’t necessarily true.
If testing shows your sanitizer level is adequate and the water remains clear, automatically adding a large dose of chlorine may be unnecessary.
However, if chlorine has dropped significantly, the pool is cloudy, algae is beginning to appear, or a substantial amount of organic contamination entered the water, additional treatment may be appropriate.
Test first. Treat second.
What If the Pool Is Still Cloudy?
Don’t panic if your pool isn’t crystal clear immediately after cleanup.
Arizona dust can contain extremely fine particles that take time for a filtration system to remove.
Continue filtering, monitor filter pressure, clean the filter when necessary, brush the pool, and maintain proper water chemistry.
If the water isn’t improving after continued filtration and proper chemistry, there may be a circulation, filtration, or water-balance issue that needs further attention.
Watch for Debris Around Your Pool Equipment
The pool itself isn’t the only area affected by a monsoon. Inspect the equipment area for leaves, branches, mud, and other debris.
Make sure nothing is blocking airflow around equipment or interfering with the pump and plumbing.
If your equipment was flooded, damaged, or exposed to electrical problems during the storm, don’t attempt to operate questionable electrical equipment. Have it inspected by a qualified professional.
A Simple Arizona Monsoon Pool Cleanup Order
- Remove branches and large debris.
- Skim leaves and floating material.
- Empty skimmer baskets.
- Check and clean the pump basket.
- Brush the walls, steps, and floor.
- Vacuum settled debris.
- Run the filtration system.
- Monitor filter pressure and clean the filter when necessary.
- Test the pool water.
- Correct chemistry based on the test results.
Physical cleanup first, filtration second, chemistry third.
Arizona Pool Owners Should Expect Monsoon Cleanup
Monsoon storms are simply part of owning a swimming pool in Arizona.
A pool that looks terrible immediately after a dust storm doesn’t necessarily have a serious problem. Much of what you’re seeing may simply be leaves, organic material, and desert dust that needs to be physically removed and filtered from the water.
Getting the large debris out before asking your filtration system to do the heavy lifting can make cleanup easier while reducing unnecessary stress on your pool equipment.
Need Help Cleaning Up Your Pool?
If a monsoon left your pool overwhelmed with debris, cloudy water, algae, or filtration problems, a local pool professional can help get it back into shape.
Learn About Pool Cleaning Companies Near You on AZ Pool Advisor.
