How to clean your pool after a dust storm

After a dust storm, clean your pool in this order: skim the surface, empty the baskets, brush the walls and floor, vacuum, test the water, shock if needed, and then clean the filter. Arizona haboobs and monsoon storms dump dust, leaves and organic debris into the water, and that debris uses up your chlorine fast. Skipping the test and shock steps is how a clear pool turns cloudy or green within days.

Time: about 1 to 2 hours. Skill: moderate.

What do you need?

• A leaf skimmer net and a pool brush
• A pool vacuum, manual or automatic
• A water test kit that checks chlorine, pH and alkalinity
• Pool shock (chlorine) and gloves, goggles and a bucket
• Your filter's instructions

Safety first

Turn the pump off before you reach into the skimmer or pump basket. Wear gloves and eye protection with pool chemicals. Never mix different chemicals, never add water to chemicals (add chemical to water), and store them away from kids, pets and heat. Follow every label.

How do you clean a pool after a dust storm?

1. Skim first. Remove leaves, twigs and floating debris with the net before it sinks and stains the surface.
2. Empty the baskets. With the pump off, empty the skimmer basket and the pump basket. After a big storm they may fill fast. Restart the pump when done.
3. Brush everything. Brush walls, steps, benches and the floor toward the main drain so the dust gets pulled into the filter. Dust that stays on the surface will stick and stain.
4. Vacuum. Vacuum the floor slowly. Very fine dust can pass through some filters and cloud the water. If your system has a waste or backwash setting and you know how to use it, it can help with heavy dirt. If you are not sure, ask a pool pro.
5. Test the water. Check free chlorine, pH and alkalinity. Typical targets are chlorine of about 1 to 3 ppm and pH between 7.2 and 7.8, but follow what your pool maker or pool pro recommends.
6. Shock if needed. If chlorine is low or the water looks hazy, shock the pool according to the label, ideally in the evening, since sun burns chlorine off. Run the pump while it works.
7. Clean the filter. Dust loads a filter quickly. Check the pressure gauge. If it has risen noticeably above its clean reading, often around 8 to 10 psi, rinse a cartridge filter or backwash a sand or DE filter according to its manual.
8. Run the pump longer. Run it for extra hours for a day or two after a storm. Retest in a day and add what is needed.
9. Wait to swim. Do not swim until chlorine and pH are back in range and the water is clear.

Arizona notes

• Summer heat burns chlorine quickly, and dusty water uses even more.
• Stabilizer builds up over time in pools using certain chlorine forms. A pool pro can test it if your chlorine keeps disappearing.
• After heavy monsoon rain, test again. Rain can dilute your chemicals and wash dirt in.
• Check the water level, since a storm followed by heat can change it.

When to call a pro

Call a pool pro if the water turns green, stays cloudy after a day or two of cleaning, the pump sounds wrong, the filter pressure stays high after cleaning, or the pump or heater lost power in the storm. Cleanup after a big storm is also a good time to book a weekly service. Here are local pool service companies in the directory, with phone numbers:

For equipment work, check any contractor's license at roc.az.gov. Not sure what you need? Ask the helper.

Questions people ask

How long should you wait to swim after a dust storm?

Wait until you have cleaned up and tested the water, and chlorine and pH are in range and the water is clear. That may be a few hours or a day or two, depending on how much dust came in.

Why is my pool cloudy after a haboob?

Fine dust is suspended in the water, and the filter has to catch it. Run the pump longer, clean the filter, balance the chemicals and shock if needed. If it stays cloudy, ask a pool pro.

Should I backwash after a dust storm?

Check your filter pressure gauge. If the pressure is up noticeably from its clean reading, clean the filter. Cartridge filters are rinsed, while sand and DE filters are backwashed, so follow your manual.

See every pool service in Phoenix or visit the Phoenix page.