AG pools and hurricanes

[ShelleyAnn]

I'm trying to convince my sister in Delray Beach, Florida that she can enjoy an above ground pool for very little expense. She asked me, however, how well they handle hurricanes. I have no idea. Anyone with any experience?

Thanks, Shelley

[Phillbo]

No real experience but I would assume they are like all other things and it depends on how strong the hurricane. A direct hit by a Cat 5 and I'd say they will not hold up well. A near miss by a Cat2 and it should be ok.

so the answer is - It depends

[RavenNS]

I found this interesting story with pictures of a metal-framed pool in hurricane....
pretty amazing really:

http://www.splashpools.com/store/ind...urricane%2Ecfm

& here is an article on Hurricane prep:


From Orlando Sentinel
Preparing your pool for hurricanes
Sentinel Staff Writer
There are several steps you can take to prepare and protect your swimming pool during hurricane season.

Before the storm





Afternoon thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes can drop a lot of water onto your pool deck and out to your yard.

The first step is to make sure as much water as possible drains from the deck as quickly as possible. Test how well your deck drains by using a garden hose to spray water on the deck and watching how quickly the water disappears.

Most pools have a plastic slotted deck drain designed to take water from the slab to the yard.

If you have an acrylic painted deck, some of the slats may be painted over. Carefully use a small flat screwdriver to push the paint through and open the slats. If there is dirt inside the drain, you can insert a garden hose from one side and try to flush it out with water.

During any test, make sure that the water runs unobstructed out the ends of the drain to low spots in the yard, flowing quickly away from the house and pool deck. Remove any grass, mulch or dirt that may block the end of the drain.

If you don't have a deck drain, make sure high grass, dirt, mulch or stones do not block the edge of the deck. These obstacles can prevent water from quickly moving off the edge and into the yard.

An easy solution for edges that don't drain quickly is to dig a small trench directing the water to a low spot away from the house and pool deck.

Take time to trim trees of extra limbs and branches that may become airborne during afternoon thunderstorms and high winds. This debris could cause damage to your house, pool equipment or screen enclosure.

Don't forget to store light toys and patio furniture properly; they too, can become flying projectiles inside your pool area.

Remember to close an umbrella when not using the pool to prevent the wind from sending it skyward. High winds can overturn an open umbrella fitted into a patio table, causing the table to fall over and, if made of glass, to shatter on your pool deck.

What to do when a storm approaches

Keeping sufficient water levels in your pool provides the important weight to hold the sides and bottom in place, especially when heavy rains that accompany most storms raise the local water table.

Never empty your pool. Pools that have been emptied may experience serious structural problems and could even be lifted off their foundations.

If your pool is properly equipped with adequate drains and skimmers and the surrounding area is properly drained, the water level can probably be left as it is. Clear the area around any deck drains to allow maximum water flow off your deck.

It is recommended that you superchlorinate the pool water. You should shock the pool as you normally would.

All electric power should be turned off at the circuit breakers before the storm hits.

If you cannot store loose objects such as plastic or PVC chairs, tables, pool equipment and toys inside a building and your pool is concrete, gently place them in the pool to help shield them from the winds. Just dropping them in may scratch or damage the inside finish of your pool.

Never put any metal or glass items into your pool at any time. If glass were to shatter on the deck or in the pool, it would be almost impossible to locate and remove every small sliver.

If your pool is vinyl or fiberglass, don't ever put anything in the pool because the vinyl liner could tear and the fiberglass could be scratched.

Questions are answered by the National Spa and Pool Institute -- Central Florida Chapter, an industry trade group.