Rain may be fun when you’re already wet, but experts are warning that pool owners need to take extra care this summer during the La Nina rains.
In a warning for pool owners, the Bureau of Meteorology has flagged the start of the La Nina weather phenomenon, which will bring extra rain, some storms and possibly even flooding.
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According to BOM, increased rainfall is one of the features of the climatic shift. “La Nina usually means above-average winter – spring rainfall for Australia, particularly across the east and north,” according to a BOM summary. Six of the wettest winter-spring periods on record were during La Nina years, it said, including the years of the severe floods of 1955, 1988, 1998 and 2010.
Gold Coast flooding: Cars submerged at the rear of the Robina Hospital. Picture: Nigel Hallett
Among the everyday challenges La Nina is expected to throw up is one for pool owners, according to Theralux director, Eddie Lloyd.
He said this season homeowners could expect “a lot more rain” with pools to get a workout during long heatwaves.
“With a La Nina event we would expect to see fluctuating weather such as cooler temperatures one day, wind and storms the next, and humid, hot weather the day after. This makes it even harder for pool owners to keep on top of their pool chemistry.”
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His tips for pool owners included not letting water levels get too high – to prevent contaminants from the pool deck and surrounds washing in.
Rain would also bring contaminants to filters and pumps, he said, so equipment should be cleaned weekly and filters allowed to run at least six to eight hours a day.
The pool chemistry should be checked every second day, and adjusted as needed.
“Pay particular attention after a period of heavy use, a very hot day or following heavy rain,” he said.
