Quick Hurricane/Tropical Storm Preparedness ?

Hi - we're looking at Tropical Storm Ernesto coming through this evening. This is my first hurricane season with a brand new pool. I have a plan for dealing with the water chemistry - but I wanted to know if this is ok as far as the pool operations...

Apparently they are predicting this will be a "rain event" to a large degree. We're forecasted to get anywhere from 10"-15" inches of rain in some areas. I have the water in the pool down to about 2" at the water line tile at this point, which would give me about 6" of fill before the pool overflows (3" pool tile plus 3" coping). I want to drain the water down another couple of inches for more cushion.

Can I shut off the skimmer at the equipment so that only water will circulate through the main drain? This way I can drain the water down to the bottom of the water line tile. Will this affect my pool pump/filter/skimmer operation in any way? Anything I need to do besides that.

any quick suggestions/replies are appreciated...We're under the gun here.

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gracy101

Can I shut off the skimmer at the equipment so that only water will circulate through the main drain? This way I can drain the water down to the bottom of the water line tile. Will this affect my pool pump/filter/skimmer operation in any way? Anything I need to do besides that.
Assuming you have the valving to do that, yes.

It's also a good idea to shock the pool today or at least bring the chlorine up to the maxiumum for your level of CYA. You may well lose power and not be able to run your filter pump for a day or two.

Thanks

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Hope this helps.

Kurt - thanks for the quick reply - I have a valve labeled skimmer at the equipment. I am assuming it shuts it down since this is also the same place where I have the valves to shut off the dedicated vacuum line, main drain and bubbler. Thanks for the reply. I actually was about to post a question about the shocking of the pool on the water chemistry forum, thanks for the heads up. :)

I have a similar thread in "off topic" you can check out too. Good luck - glad it's not a Wilma, a Jeanne, a Frances, a Charlie, a Ivan, a Dennis, a Katrina or one of the other major hurricanes FL has had in the last 24 months!