January 2023. Remember those atmospheric rivers? I sure do. Over three days, I fielded 15 emergency calls from pool owners across Sacramento and the Bay Area. The most memorable was a pristine pool in Folsom that went from crystal clear to swamp green in just 48 hours. The owner hadn’t done anything wrong—Mother Nature just decided to dump two months of rain in two days, along with half the neighborhood’s organic matter.
I’m Cooper from Pinnacle Pool & Spa Services, and after a decade of dealing with Northern California’s weather mood swings—from drought to deluge—I’ve learned that rain isn’t just water when it comes to pools. It’s a chemistry-destroying, debris-delivering, equipment-testing event that can turn your backyard oasis into a maintenance nightmare if you’re not prepared.
Here’s what I’ve learned about keeping pools healthy through our increasingly intense storm seasons, and how you can avoid those panic calls to your pool service company.
The Chemistry Chaos: It’s Not Just Dilution
Most people think rain just dilutes pool chemicals. If only it were that simple. Rain in Northern California isn’t pure water—it’s collecting everything in our air on its way down. Pollen, dust, air pollution, and yes, even algae spores hitchhike on raindrops right into your pool.
Last February, I tested a pool in Davis before and after a storm. The pH went from a perfect 7.4 to an acidic 6.8 overnight. The alkalinity dropped by 40 ppm. Free chlorine? Gone. It wasn’t just dilution—the rain was actually acidic, and all those contaminants consumed the chlorine faster than a teenager goes through pizza.
Here’s what’s really happening during a rainstorm:
- Rainwater (typically pH 5.0-5.5) drives your pool pH down
- Organic contaminants consume chlorine rapidly
- Phosphates from runoff feed algae
- Metals from roof runoff can cause staining
- Nitrogen compounds from air pollution affect water balance
My quick fix that actually works: Before a storm, I bump up the chlorine levels higher than normal—we’re talking 5-7 ppm instead of the usual 1-3 ppm. Add a phosphate remover if you haven’t used one recently. And here’s a trick—slightly increase your alkalinity to 120-140 ppm before the storm. It acts as a buffer against pH swings.
“We are in the middle of a yard renovation and the pool company we had hired was not responding to repairs needed quickly. So, I called Cooper. He called back within two hours and though he was very busy offered to come help with temporary repairs till he had time to come back to keep our yard renovation going.”
— S B., San Francisco
The Overflow Problem Nobody Talks About
Your skimmer needs about 1/2 inch of water surface exposed to work properly. When rain overfills your pool, that skimmer becomes useless. But that’s just the beginning of the overflow problem.
I’ve seen pools in Walnut Creek where the water level rose so high it flooded the surrounding deck, washing mulch, fertilizer, and soil back into the pool. One client’s beautiful flagstone deck actually channeled runoff from their entire backyard into the pool. After one storm, we pulled out enough organic matter to fill three trash bags.
The solution isn’t just draining water—it’s managing where excess water goes. If your filter has a “waste” setting, great. Use it to lower the level about 1-2 inches before a storm. But here’s what many people don’t know: draining too much during a storm can cause hydrostatic pressure problems if you have a high water table. I’ve seen pools literally pop out of the ground in Marin County during wet winters.
The best investment? A simple hose spigot plumbed after your pump. Costs about $150-200 to install, and you can control drainage precisely. Attach a hose, direct water away from your pool area, and maintain perfect water levels even during multi-day storms. Every pool should have one, yet only about 30% of my clients do.
Wind, Debris, and Flying Patio Furniture
Wind doesn’t just blow leaves into your pool—it turns your backyard into a debris launcher. I’ve pulled out everything from neighbor’s roof shingles to entire potted plants from pools after storms. The worst? A glass patio table that shattered in a pool during a windstorm. Took two days to vacuum every piece of glass from the bottom.
The pool cover debate always comes up before storms. Here’s my take: if you have a safety cover properly installed, use it. But those blue tarps and bubble covers? Take them off. They’ll either blow away (becoming someone else’s problem) or collect so much water they’ll sink into your pool, making things worse.
Immediately after a storm, here’s your priority list:
- Net out large debris before it sinks
- Empty skimmer baskets (they’ll be packed)
- Check equipment pad for flooding or damage
- Test and adjust chemistry
- Run the pump continuously for 24-48 hours
Don’t wait for your weekly service. Organic matter starts decomposing immediately, consuming chlorine and feeding algae. The difference between skimming debris the morning after a storm versus waiting three days? About $200 in chemicals and possibly an algae bloom.
My Storm Prep Checklist
After dealing with hundreds of storm-related pool problems, I’ve developed this timeline that actually works:
72 Hours Before the Storm:
- Test and balance water chemistry
- Clean filter (backwash or rinse cartridges)
- Trim overhanging branches near pool
- Stock up on chemicals (stores sell out fast)
24 Hours Before:
- Increase chlorine to 5-7 ppm
- Raise alkalinity to 120-140 ppm
- Lower water level 1-2 inches
- Secure or store loose items (furniture, cleaning equipment)
- Add algaecide as prevention
During the Storm:
- Run pump at least 8-12 hours daily
- Check water level twice daily if possible
- Monitor for equipment flooding
- Document any damage for insurance
After the Storm:
- Remove debris immediately
- Shock the pool (even if it looks clear)
- Clean filter again within 48 hours
- Test chemistry daily for three days
- Brush walls and floor to prevent algae
“I noticed that we had been losing water in our pool rapidly and was concerned with all the rain that it would saturate our yard. Pinnacle Pool was able to come out quickly, diagnose the problem, identify exactly where the leak was at and fix it extremely fast, all for a very reasonable price.”
— Michele D., Concord
Recovery: Getting Back to Blue
You’ve got about 48 hours after a storm to get ahead of problems. Wait longer, and you’re fighting an uphill battle against algae and cloudiness. Here’s my proven recovery process:
Day 1: Remove all debris, shock heavily (2-3 times normal dose), run pump 24 hours, brush everything
Day 2: Clean filter, test and adjust chemistry, add clarifier if cloudy, continue 24-hour pump operation
Day 3: Re-test chemistry, normal chlorine levels should hold now, return to regular pump schedule
If your pool is still green or cloudy after this process, you’re likely dealing with phosphates or metals from runoff. That’s when specialized treatments or professional help make sense. The cost of fighting algae for two weeks far exceeds a service call to get it right immediately.
Long-term Storm Solutions
If you’re tired of storm panic, consider these permanent improvements:
Landscaping: Create berms or French drains to redirect runoff away from your pool. Replace mulch near pools with river rock. Choose plants that don’t drop leaves or flowers into the pool.
Equipment upgrades: Variable speed pumps can run longer during storms without breaking the bank. Salt systems maintain chlorine levels automatically even during dilution. Overflow protection systems can manage water levels automatically.
Seasonal preparation: In October, I start preparing my clients’ pools for winter storms. We trim trees, adjust equipment settings, and ensure proper drainage. This preparation means the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major problem when January’s storms hit.
“Cooper goes out of his way to explain options, make recommendations, but does not push unnecessary services or products. He is punctual, returns calls in a timely manner, and I greatly appreciate his honesty, integrity, and work quality.”
— Eric V., Moraga
Your Pool Can Weather Any Storm
Northern California weather isn’t getting any less dramatic. Last year we went from atmospheric rivers to drought conditions in the span of three months. But your pool doesn’t have to suffer through these extremes if you’re prepared.
The key is understanding that storms affect pools in multiple ways—chemically, physically, and mechanically. Address all three aspects, and your pool will come through even the worst weather in good shape.
Remember, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure when it comes to storm damage. Those few hours of preparation save days of cleanup and hundreds of dollars in chemicals and repairs. Your pool is a significant investment—protecting it from storm damage just makes sense.
If you’re dealing with storm-related pool problems or want to prepare your pool for the next weather event, we’re here to help. From emergency storm response to long-term preparation strategies, Pinnacle Pool & Spa Services has the experience to keep your pool healthy through whatever Mother Nature throws at us.
Contact Pinnacle Pool & Spa Services for storm preparation and recovery:
Sacramento Area: (916) 530-2096 | Bay Area: (925) 849-6545 | Toll Free: (888) 994-7665 (POOL)
Professional pool service and storm recovery throughout Northern California. Emergency response available during severe weather events. Keeping pools healthy through California’s storms since 2012.
