Severe weather, especially cyclones and heavy flooding, can leave your pool looking less like a backyard oasis and more like a murky swamp. If ex-cyclone Alfred or recent flooding has impacted your area, your pool may be filled with debris, muddy water, or even contaminated runoff.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Follow these step-by-step recovery tips to get your pool back to safe, clean, and swim-ready condition.
Step 1: Stay safe & assess the damage
Before diving into pool cleanup, ensure the area is safe:
Check for electrical hazards – If your pool equipment has been submerged or damaged, do not turn it on until it has been inspected by an electrician.
Watch for structural damage – Look for cracks, lifted tiles, or displaced coping caused by flooding or shifting ground.
Remove large debris – Leaves, branches, and other storm debris can stain your pool if left too long. Use a skimmer net or pool pole to remove larger objects.
Tip: If floodwater has completely overflowed your pool, be cautious of contaminants such as sewage, bacteria, or harmful chemicals that may have entered.
Step 2: Clean & restore water levels
Drain Excess Water – If your pool has overflowed, use the waste setting on your pool filter or a submersible pump to lower the water back to its normal level.
Skim & Vacuum – Manually remove debris from the surface, then vacuum the pool to get rid of dirt and silt that has settled on the bottom.
Backwash Your Filter – If you have a sand or DE filter, backwash it to flush out storm debris. Cartridge filters should be cleaned thoroughly with a hose.
Step 3: Balance the water chemistry
Heavy rainfall can dilute chemicals and throw off your pool’s balance, leading to cloudy or green water. Follow these steps to restore safe water conditions:
Test Your Water – Use a pool test kit or take a sample to your local pool shop to check pH, chlorine, alkalinity, and calcium levels.
Shock Treatment – Add a high dose of chlorine to kill bacteria and contaminants introduced by floodwater.
Adjust pH & Alkalinity – Rainwater is acidic, so you may need to raise the pH and alkalinity with sodium bicarbonate or soda ash.
Step 4: Run your filtration system
To clear up cloudy or dirty water, run your pool filter continuously for at least 24-48 hours after adding chemicals. Keep an eye on your filter pressure—if it rises significantly, clean or backwash the filter as needed.
Tip: If your pool is still cloudy after a few days, try using a clarifier or flocculant to help bind tiny particles together for easier removal.
Step 5: Prevent algae & staining
With all the extra moisture and organic debris, algae growth is common after a storm. Keep your pool crystal clear by:
Brushing the pool walls & floor to remove algae spores.
Adding an algaecide to prevent future outbreaks.
Using a phosphate remover—phosphates from floodwater can feed algae growth.
Step 6: Inspect & restart pool equipment
Once your water chemistry is balanced, check your pool pump, filter, and heater to ensure everything is functioning properly. If your pump or electrical components were submerged, have them inspected by a professional before turning them on.
Pro Tip: If you have a robotic pool cleaner, wait until all debris has been removed before running it to avoid clogging or damage.
When to Call a Professional
While many pool cleanups can be done DIY, you may need expert help if:
Your pool structure is damaged (cracks, shifting, or leaks).
Your electrical equipment was submerged and may be unsafe.
Your pool remains green or cloudy despite chemical treatment.
If in doubt, reach out to a qualified pool technician or electrician to ensure your pool is restored safely and efficiently.
Recovering your pool after a cyclone or flood may take some effort, but following these steps will help you restore it to a safe and sparkling condition. By acting quickly, maintaining proper filtration, and balancing your water chemistry, your pool will be swim-ready in no time!
If you have any concerns about your Queensland Plunge Pool, don’t hesitate to contact our team—we’re here to help.
Stay safe and happy swimming! 🏊♂️✨
Thanks for reading!
love the QPP Team
Queensland Plunge Pools.
Queensland born, proudly delivering excellence across Australia.
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