I hope this is the right place to seek advice. How do I maintain a 10,000 gal pool due to power outage? I got hammered by the eye of Hurricane Ian. I will have my hands full due to power outages that will last days or weeks.
Hurricane Ian
- Thread starter thedude123
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,711
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum.
Safety first. Pool can be managed later. If all else is safe, then add chlorine and mix it in with Pool brush, paddle, etc. Do you have a test kit?
Safety first. Pool can be managed later. If all else is safe, then add chlorine and mix it in with Pool brush, paddle, etc. Do you have a test kit?
Thanks for replying. I do have a Taylor K2005 test kit. Do you know for starters about how much chlorine is added daily to 10,000 gal pool?
- May 3, 2014
- 62,711
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
1 gallon of 10% liquid chlorine will add 10 ppm FC to your pool.
What is your CYA? You need that to know what your target level FC is. See FC/CYA Levels
What is your CYA? You need that to know what your target level FC is. See FC/CYA Levels
I don’t remember the last time I tested the CYA. I’m rather new at this and have only really ever tested FC,TC,PH and TA.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,711
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Understood, but you must know your CYA to know what level your FC should be maintained at. Likely you were never taught that if you have relied on pool stores and/or a pool builder/maintenance company.
Read Pool Care Basics
Understood. Thank you kindly for helping me get on the right track. Time for much needed rest. Ian is finally letting up.
Katodude
Silver Supporter
- Aug 22, 2017
- 3,004
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I hope everyone is safe. I hope you also have power and water.
If you do have power, empty your skimmers, they are full.
If you do have power, empty your skimmers, they are full.
For our coastal GA & SC folks stay alert. I follow a group of guys called firsthand weather and they posted this last night and they are usually pretty good at predicting stuff.
WE have a condo in Hilton Head so a little concerned also
WE have a condo in Hilton Head so a little concerned also
Ian Coming To Georgia, Carolinas, and Mid-Atlantic Next | Firsthand Weather
Hurricane Ian will bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge to Georgia and the Carolinas.
firsthandweather.com
We have been extremely fortunate that Hurricane Ian changed course and that restarting our pool is one of our few post-hurricane concerns. And hearts go out to those in SW Florida, including friends that are just starting recovery. That area will be years in recovery, and many still facing feet of water covering their properties (or no home at all).
I would like input from the group about pool restart procedures post-hurricane.
I powered off the pool before evacuation as I knew a lot of debris would enter the pool (no screen cage, multiple trees nearby). No pool levels yet as still off-site, but neighbors have cleared debris and show a cloudy pool. No power or ETA on when power will return to our area. While hoping for days, it could be weeks or more.
Temps are in the 70-80s, and a lot of sunshine now that the storm has passed. Is there any value in adding chlorine without any circulation to attempt and stop algae growth? Or do I just let the pool go green until power returns, then perform a SLAM?
I have followed TFP guidelines since SLAM in March, and it has been outstanding. Acid regularly due to bubblers/spillover, and occasional baking soda or a chlorine boost post thunderstorms/debris cleanup.
Appreciate any thoughts.
P.S. attaching the latest pic of water clarity pre-debris cleanout
I would like input from the group about pool restart procedures post-hurricane.
I powered off the pool before evacuation as I knew a lot of debris would enter the pool (no screen cage, multiple trees nearby). No pool levels yet as still off-site, but neighbors have cleared debris and show a cloudy pool. No power or ETA on when power will return to our area. While hoping for days, it could be weeks or more.
Temps are in the 70-80s, and a lot of sunshine now that the storm has passed. Is there any value in adding chlorine without any circulation to attempt and stop algae growth? Or do I just let the pool go green until power returns, then perform a SLAM?
I have followed TFP guidelines since SLAM in March, and it has been outstanding. Acid regularly due to bubblers/spillover, and occasional baking soda or a chlorine boost post thunderstorms/debris cleanup.
Appreciate any thoughts.
P.S. attaching the latest pic of water clarity pre-debris cleanout
There is absolutely a value. It will be very effective if your other priorities allow some effort devoted to the pool.
With no circulation, some/most will settle on the floor as chlorone is heavier than water. Your pool will be easy to brush to mix it around. A couple passes will work wonders and only take a few minutes.
I'd SLAM the best you can with no power. Even though you can't filter out the dead algae, it's way better than exponentially growing algae until the power comes on.
If you have more pressing matters, we can always fix it after too.
Keep us posted.
Saturn94
Bronze Supporter
- Mar 11, 2015
- 1,864
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
This storm is huge. Even way up here in coastal SE Virginia, it’s really nasty today and we are under both a flash flood warning and a coastal flood warning (our neighborhood should be ok). The surf in the Chesapeake Bay looks like what you expect in the ocean during a storm. 
My heart goes out to those in FL and areas severely impacted by Ian.
My heart goes out to those in FL and areas severely impacted by Ian.
@Newdude, TY.There is absolutely a value. It will be very effective if your other priorities allow some effort devoted to the pool.
With no circulation, some/most will settle on the floor as chlorone is heavier than water. Your pool will be easy to brush to mix it around. A couple passes will work wonders and only take a few minutes.
I'd SLAM the best you can with no power. Even though you can't filter out the dead algae, it's way better than exponentially growing algae until the power comes on.
If you have more pressing matters, we can always fix it after too.
Keep us posted.
I have enough chlorine to start a SLAM. Didn't know I could do without power!
Should I also test levels after brushing for pH and TA and adjust?
Everything else (Salt, CH, CYA) were in balance prior to storm, and pool did not overflow. Just very full.
Will test levels be accurate for pH and TA without full circulation? Brush, test, and assume enough circulation for a valid test?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,367
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Do you have enough chlorine or able to get enough liquid chlorine to finish a SLAM?
I would not be so quick to start a SLAM Process. You are not going to be swimming in the pool for a while.
I would use the liquid chlorine you have and maintain a FC level to keep algae tamed. You don't know how long you will need to stretch the supply you have at hand.
Once you have power restored and the house habitable then you can do a SLAM Process to get the pool swimable.
I would not worry about TA. Just keep pH in the 7's.
Test your CYA. You may have got more dilution then you think. Then use that CYA to set your FC level.
Salt and CH does not matter now.
If you get any real out of wack test results then stop. You may have stratification of the fresh rain water on top of the pool water. You may need to churn the pool to get a good mix of the water.
Allen brings up a good point. (Several actually but specifically this one) Bleach may become hard to get by if areas nearby got it worse than you. Or folks just panic buy for cleaning and/or their pools. So you may start with a healthy supply and not be able to finish.
TY! Will test CYA, then focus on pH and FC for now after stirring up the pool.
Great point on the availability of chlorine to complete a SLAM. Will hold off until power is restored since I'd rather inhibit growth than stop short and have to restart.
Appreciate the advice.
golovko
Gold Supporter
Should I be concerned about my new concrete pool overflowing during the hurricane? I'm in NC and we're right in the middle of the worst of it for our area.
The waterline is already maybe an inch below the coping after a solid 12+ hours of heavy rain. I already have a long hose attached to the waste out (sorry unsure of the proper technical term). Do I need to go out there when the strong gusts die down a bit and drain some water out?
The waterline is already maybe an inch below the coping after a solid 12+ hours of heavy rain. I already have a long hose attached to the waste out (sorry unsure of the proper technical term). Do I need to go out there when the strong gusts die down a bit and drain some water out?
If you can, safely, then it's probably a good idea with no end in sight.
golovko
Gold Supporter
Just got back in, let the water drop back down about 3". Will check on it again in the morning when there is some daylight. Also emptied all my skimmer baskets that were already nearly full.
getliquified
Member
I got about half a tree worth of debris in my pool 
At least my family is safe. Clean up this weekend.
At least my family is safe. Clean up this weekend.