Summer in Arizona can down right be miserable. With the commonality of temperatures rising above the triple digit mark almost daily, to the thunderstorms that plague the Valley of the Sun during the monsoon season, people living in Arizona can often be challenged by the weather that comes with living in the desert. And one of the biggest threats to living in Arizona is when a Haboob dust storm blows into town – literally out of nowhere. A Haboob can cause extensive damage if you are not prepared to deal with one. In order to get you be better prepared, here are a few important haboob dust storm tips for keeping your Arizona home and pool safe during the storm.
Keep Your Windows Closed During a Haboob Dust Storm
If you are at home and see a Haboob dust storm approaching, the first thing you should do is make sure your doors and windows are completely closed – and locked. You will also likely need to bring in or tie down any towels and pool toys are poolside. If the storm hits your home, the amount of dust and debris that is often contained in a Haboob can potentially enter the house – and can be the cause of breathing issues to flair-up. The best tip here is to be aware during this time of year and be ready to shut all doors and windows and lock them. After the storm is over, you’ll want to check outside of your home for any issues that may have been cause by the high winds, dust & desbis. Sometimes trees are down, furniture blown over or broken, or HVAC units malfunctioning.
Don’t Stand Outside During a Haboob Dust Storm
Finally, if you’re around the house during a Haboob, the best tip we can offer is for you to get inside and away from windows and glass doors. You just never know what the wind may bring. To be as safe as possible you’ll want to stay on the ground floor of your home in the center of your home to ensure that if for whatever reason the dust storm breaks glass or opens doors, you’ll be protected as much as possible inside.
Although a Haboob is not as destructive as a tornado or hurricane, it sure can cause a big mess – and has the potential to cause damage both on the road and at a home. The best piece of advice we can offer is to be aware of these simple haboob dust storm tips that are designed to help you ride out the next storm.
There is nothing we can do to prevent severe weather or natural disasters, so pool owners must be ready at all times to help protect their pool from damages resulting from storms, fires, and floods. Storms that bring high wind and rain can sweep dirt and debris into your pool, while floods can bring with them an even longer list of potential contaminants, such as mud, silt, and bacteria. Fires, even if they present no danger to you or your home, can kick up large amounts of dust and organic debris, which can often find their way into your pool.
Although there is no way to keep all debris out of your pool, there are many things that a pool owner can do to protect their pool and equipment from damages, as well as potential bacteria and algae growth that can result from severe weather or natural disasters. While storms, fires, and floods all require their own procedures and preparations, Leslie’s has compiled a list of steps you can follow to ensure that your pool will be in the best possible shape to handle any kind of severe weather or natural disaster.
- Do NOT Remove the Water From Your Pool
When preparing for a storm or a flood, you might have the urge to remove the water from your pool to prevent the pool from overflowing and the water from becoming contaminated. The reality, however, is that this can do much more harm than good. Removing the water from your pool not only leaves the pool walls and floor unprotected and likely to become scratched or damaged by flying debris, but it can also cause your pool to pop out of the ground. Underground water tables rise during storms and floods, and without water, your pool could pop up and “float” on the rising water table. Keeping even the contaminated water in your pool will make cleanup much easier than if you remove the water.
- Do NOT Put Your Cover On Your Pool
Again, it may be tempting to pull your winter or safety cover across your pool in preparation for storm, but this too can cause more damage to equipment. Installing any kind of cover across the pool will not do much to protect against dust and contaminants, because storms often bring strong winds and heavy rain that can cause the cover to lift off your pool.
More importantly, placing your cover over your pool leaves it extremely vulnerable to sharp branches and other debris that can become airborne during a storm. By keeping the cover off your pool during a storm, you will prevent damage to the cover and can avoid having to deal with a difficult removal if the cover is full of water and debris.
- Clear Yard and Pool Deck of Debris, and Put Away Toys and Outdoor Furniture
During a storm with high winds or a powerful flood, any sort of free-standing object left near your pool is capable of causing serious damage to your deck, your pool, or your house. If you have time before the storm or flood, remove as many toys, furniture, and other items as you can, and store them in a safe place like a shed or basement. Much of the damage from storms is caused by debris that could easily be stored out of harm’s way. Never put objects into the pool to protect them from a storm, as this could damage the objects and cause serious metal staining problems for your pool water.
- If Possible, Trim Branches From Nearby Trees
If you are given advanced warning of an approaching storm or flood, trimming branches and limbs from trees near your pool can be one of the most effective methods for protecting your yard and your house. Large and overgrown branches can snap off easily, and often become dangerous projectiles during storms. Trimming the branches from any large trees and removing the branches from your pool area should always be done if you have enough time, as this will drastically reduce the chances of serious damage or injury.
- Balance Water Chemistry and Add Algae Controller
During a storm, fire, or flood, it is inevitable that dirt, debris, and other contaminants will find their way into your pool. Even though you will most likely need to shock and balance your pool after any occurrence of severe weather, balancing and adding algae controller to your water beforehand will save you a lot of work after the weather has subsided.
By balancing your pool chemistry and adding a large dose of an algae controller like Leslie’s Algae Control , most of the organic contaminants that are blown into your pool will be quickly and easily eliminated. Any of the contaminants that do remain in your pool should be destroyed by shocking your pool after the storm, fire, or flood.
- Turn Off Power To Pool Equipment
If there is a chance that your equipment, such as your pump, your filter, or your motor might come in contact with large amounts of water, it is vital that you protect the equipment by cutting their power. You will want to turn off the circuit breakers to all pool equipment, including your pump, motor, filter, heater, chlorinator, and lighting fixtures. This will help to prevent potentially dangerous electrical problems that could result from flooding.
- Cover and Protect Pool Equipment
Even if you shut off the power to your pool equipment, it can still be damaged by the large amounts of wind, rain, and debris that come with severe weather problems. To avoid any damage to equipment, it is a good idea to cover them with a large plastic tarp or other waterproof coverings. Make sure to tie down the coverings as tightly as you can, to help prevent water from getting into the equipment.
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