Hurricane prep when you’re not in the Keys
Short answer: if you will not be in the Keys during hurricane season, set up help before June. Hire a professional pool service to watch the pool and check it after storms, arrange for someone local to secure furniture and shut off equipment power, and never drain the pool. Buildia does not provide these services; this guide is general advice for owners.
Set up help before the season starts
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. When a storm is forecast, the Overseas Highway gets busy and Keys contractors and services fill up fast. If you live in Miami or farther away, sort out who will look after the house before the season, not when a storm is two days out.
Hire a professional pool service company
This is the most useful step for an empty house. A good pool service already visits weekly. Before a storm they can balance and shock the water, and after a storm they can check the water level, clear debris, test the chemistry and look over the pump, filter and heater before anything restarts. Ask for photos after each visit, and agree on storm visits in writing so you are not waiting in a queue.
Line up a local contact
A property manager, neighbor or house-watch company can secure outdoor items, close shutters and let you know how the house looks once it is safe to go out. Share door codes, the breaker panel location and your pool service’s number with them.
Before a storm
Keep the pool full
Do not drain the pool. The water’s weight helps hold the shell down against the high Keys water table, and an empty pool can crack or be pushed up out of the ground. If anything, the pool service may lower the level slightly to leave room for rain, as long as it stays above the skimmer.
Secure everything that can fly
Patio furniture, umbrellas, grills, planters and decor can damage glass, screens and the pool finish. Bring them inside or tie them down. Some owners put heavy furniture into the pool to keep it from blowing away, but this can scratch or stain the finish. Ask your pool service before doing it.
Protect the equipment
Have your pool service or an electrician turn off power to the pump, heater, lights and automation at the breaker. If flooding is likely, ask whether any equipment that can be removed should be covered, secured or moved. Do not wrap motors airtight, since trapped moisture can cause corrosion.
After a storm
Have the pool service check the pool before any equipment is turned back on. Their checklist usually includes:
- Looking for standing water, damaged wiring or a flooded equipment pad before restoring power
- Skimming debris and checking the water level, draining down to normal if rain overfilled it
- Testing and rebalancing the chemistry, which storms throw off quickly
- Cleaning the filter, checking the pump and heater, and running the system for longer until the water is clear
- Photographing any damage to the deck, coping, fence or screen enclosure for your insurer
Keep the pool barrier and gates in working order. A damaged fence around a pool at an empty house is a safety risk.
If your pool is new or under construction
A newly plastered pool needs professional water care for its first 30 days whatever the weather. If the pH is not kept balanced, the new plaster can be damaged, and storms make that harder. If your pool is plastered during hurricane season, make sure your pool service knows it is a new finish.
During a Buildia build, we pause work when a named storm threatens, secure our work area, equipment and materials, and send you photos and an updated schedule afterward. See how we build for second-home owners, or building a pool when you live in Miami.
We build in Key Largo, Tavernier, Islamorada and Marathon.
Common questions
Should I drain my pool before a hurricane?
No. A full pool is heavier and more stable. An empty shell can crack or be pushed up by groundwater, which is a real risk with the high water table in the Keys.
Who should check my pool after a storm if I live in Miami?
A professional pool service company. Arrange it before the season, so they check the water level, chemistry and equipment before anything restarts and send you photos.
Should I turn off pool equipment before a hurricane?
Yes. Have the power to the pump, heater, lights and automation turned off at the breaker, and have it checked before power is restored after the storm.
Does Buildia offer hurricane prep or pool maintenance?
No. Buildia builds and remodels pools and backyards. For storm prep and ongoing care, hire a professional pool service company and a local property manager or house watcher.
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