With March well on its way and April just around the corner, it’s time to start talking about how the rain can affect your pool’s water chemistry. Many pool owners don’t think about this fact, but rain is very acidic, which means it can throw your pool’s entire pH balance out of whack. Why does this matter? Not only can it cause an uncomfortable swim session, but the water can actually become corrosive and damage various parts of your pool. While a little bit of rain won’t do much, when we get one of those big, heavy rains Texas is famous for, it is of the utmost importance that you recheck and rebalance the chemicals in your pool to the best of your ability. If your water chemistry is not in balance because of rain when temps are around 60-70 degrees, it can lead to serious algae problems.

Here at Mid City Custom Pools, we strive to provide you with all the information and knowledge you need to properly care for your pool. We know how intimidating and overwhelming this can be, especially for first-time pool owners, but if you want your pool to last without breaking the bank, you must stay on top of maintenance needs like this. If you ever have any questions or aren’t sure what to do, please do not hesitate to contact Mid City Custom Pools.

What to Do After a Heavy Rainfall

As mentioned, rain can sometimes affect the water chemistry of your pool, namely because it is so acidic. After a heavy rain, it is not uncommon to have a lot of extra water in the pool, which can actually dilute the chemistry and throw the pH balance completely off. While a few light showers shouldn’t do much damage, we still encourage you to test the chemicals and pH balance to make sure all is as it should be. Following a heavy rainfall, you should do the following:

• Collect a sample of the water for testing to bring into Mid City Custom Pools to have us test it
  • It is important to test the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels to ensure the pool is safe for you and your family
• Clean the pool
  • After it rains, it is quite common for dirt, leaves, and other debris to make its way into your pool. This can also increase the nitrogen and phosphorus levels, which can lead to the growth of algae and bacteria.
  • Always clean your pool thoroughly after a heavy rainfall to avoid the above
• Check pH and alkalinity levels
  • Acidic rain can cause your pH to drop, which is where alkalinity comes in. Alkalinity often takes the biggest hit following a big rain, which can be a good thing as this means they are working to balance out the pH drop

 
Rain is hard and can lead to serious damage not only to your pool water but to the materials around it. Always test the water and recheck levels following a heavy rain, or give Mid City Custom Pools a call and we will be happy to help.