Category: Blog

Central New York weather keeps pool owners on their toes. A strong line of thunderstorms can bring inches of rain and damaging wind in a single evening, and your pool is a significant investment worth protecting. These are the questions the Precision Pool & Spa team hears most often when a storm is in the forecast, along with our recommendations.

Should I lower the water in my pool before a storm?

Only if it’s already high. When the water is at the top of the tile line or the coping, bringing it down a few inches leaves room for rainfall and helps keep debris from washing in as the pool overflows. If your level is normal, you can leave it alone.

Would it be safer to drain the pool completely?

No, and this is one of the most damaging mistakes a pool owner can make. The water in your pool provides the weight that holds the structure in place. When the ground is saturated after heavy rain, an empty pool can be damaged by the pressure of groundwater beneath it. A few inches is the most you should ever remove.

What should I do with my patio furniture and pool accessories?

Store them. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, cushions, floats, planters and toys can all be picked up by strong wind. Moving them into a garage or pool house protects the pieces themselves and keeps them from ending up in the water or striking your equipment, fencing or home.

Do I need to adjust my chemicals ahead of time?

It helps. Heavy rain and the leaves and dirt that come with it use up sanitizer quickly. Testing and balancing your water before the storm gives it the best chance of staying clear and shortens the recovery afterward.

Should I close my automatic cover?

We recommend leaving it open during significant rain and wind whenever possible. Most homeowners expect the opposite, but a closed cover has to bear the weight of rainwater, debris and any limbs that fall on it. That stress can damage the fabric, tracks, ropes and pulleys. Cleaning the pool after a storm is generally much easier and less expensive than repairing or replacing an automatic cover system.

Is there anything I should do during the storm?

Stay indoors and let it pass. Please don’t try to skim the pool, pull out debris or check on your equipment while the weather is active. Lightning, high wind and wet electrical equipment are a dangerous combination. It’s also worth knowing where your pool equipment breaker is before the storm arrives, in case you need to shut the power off afterward.

What’s the first thing to check when the storm is over?

Your equipment pad. Before turning the system on, look for flooding or standing water around the pump, filter and heater. If you find any, shut off power to the pool equipment and contact us once it’s safe. If the system is running and you hear something unusually loud, or it just doesn’t seem right, turn it off and call us so a technician can take a look.

How do I get my pool clean and clear again?

Skim leaves and branches from the surface and empty the skimmer and pump baskets before running the system. Then test the water. Rain and runoff will have shifted your pH, alkalinity and sanitizer, so plan to rebalance and shock the pool. Large debris, or anything you’d rather not handle, can be left to our team.

Can Precision take care of the cleanup for me?

Yes. Our Syracuse team offers post-storm service that includes debris removal, water balancing, filter cleanings and a full check of your equipment, so your pool is back to its best with no effort on your part.

Questions After a Storm? Call Precision Pool & Spa

If you have concerns once the weather clears, our team is here to help. Contact Precision Pool & Spa to schedule a post-storm cleanup or service visit in the Syracuse area.

If you’ve spent a winter in Rochester, you know we don’t get a gentle transition into cold weather. It’s time to start thinking about closing your pool before the first real freeze hits, and doing it right makes all the difference come spring.

Why a Proper Closing Matters Here

Rochester winters are long and unforgiving, and a pool that isn’t closed correctly pays for it. Water left in pipes, pumps, and filters freezes and expands as temperatures drop, and that expansion can crack equipment that’s expensive to replace. A proper closing protects:

• Your pump, filter, and heater from freeze damage
• Pool surfaces and liners from staining over the winter
• Water chemistry, so spring opening isn’t a fight with algae
• Your cover, fitted and secured to hold up through lake effect snow

How Precision Pool & Spa Closes Your Pool

Our technicians take care of every step so nothing gets overlooked:

• Skim, brush and vacuum if applicable
• Lower water levels as required
• Winterize and plug all plumbing lines
• Removing handrails
• Shock pool with granular chlorine and algaecide
• Raise safety cover anchors and install safety cover (if anchors are seized, further service may be necessary)
• Remove UV if applicable to be stored indoors

*Your pool must be properly maintained up to the date of pool closing. Please make sure your side of your autofill has been winterized prior to the scheduled pool closing if applicable to prevent freeze damage. Please do not turn off your filter system prior to our technician’s arrival.

Handle Repairs Before Winter Takes Over

Fall is your last real chance to deal with anything that came up over the summer. A pump running rough, a heater that hasn’t kept up, or a leak you’ve been putting off are all easier and cheaper to fix now than after months of freezing and thawing. We can often bundle a service visit with your closing appointment.

When to Schedule Your Closing

Timing matters more in Rochester than most places. Close too early and you lose usable pool days. Wait too long and an early freeze could catch your pool unprepared. Once nighttime temperatures start settling into the 50s, it’s time to get on our schedule. Fall books up fast around here, so calling early means more flexibility.

While You Wait

If your closing date is still a few weeks out, keep skimming leaves and debris so nothing sinks and stains the pool floor, and keep testing your chemical levels as cooler weather and lighter use throw things off balance.

Let’s Get Your Pool Winter Ready

Precision Pool & Spa is ready to handle your fall closing and any service needs so your pool is protected through everything Rochester winters bring.

Contact Precision Pool & Spa today to schedule your fall closing and service appointment.