Your pool-care checklist after rain.

First, check that the area is safe

Wait until the storm has passed before approaching the pool. Look for fallen branches, damaged barriers and water around electrical equipment. Keep people away from damaged or flooded equipment and arrange appropriate professional assessment before it is used again.

Check that the gate still closes and latches, and keep cleaning tools and movable furniture from becoming climbing aids beside the barrier. Pool maintenance does not replace adult supervision or a proper pool-safety inspection.

Test before choosing a treatment

Rain and runoff can change water balance and introduce debris or other material. Test the pool rather than judging it by colour. The useful checks depend on your system and include sanitiser and pH, with salt or mineral readings where relevant.

Use your equipment instructions and current test results to decide the next step. If readings are unexpected or you do not know what has entered the pool, ask for advice. Avoid repeating a treatment just because it worked after a different storm.

Clear ordinary debris and check circulation

Once conditions are safe, remove leaves from the surface with suitable equipment and check accessible baskets according to the manufacturer's instructions. Notice whether the water level, flow or filter-pressure reading is unusual.

A cartridge filter and a media filter need different care. Do not open a pressurised filter, change valves without understanding the system or restart equipment that may have been flooded. An unusual reading is a reason to investigate, not a reason to force the equipment to keep running.

Do not drain the pool automatically

The right response to a high water level depends on the pool's construction, drainage arrangement and surrounding conditions. Emptying or lowering a pool too far can create serious problems, especially when the ground is saturated. Get pool-specific advice before removing water.

Floodwater, sewage contamination, substantial mud or damaged equipment require a different response from a few leaves after a shower. Keep the pool out of use and seek qualified assessment. Routine cleaning is not a substitute for contamination recovery.

Give your service provider a clear picture

When asking for help, describe what changed and when. Include the latest readings, whether the equipment has been running, and any runoff or flooding you noticed. Photos can show debris and access, but do not confirm that water is suitable for swimming.

For an otherwise functioning residential pool, Pool Legends can discuss routine cleaning or water-testing availability. Describe heavy contamination at the enquiry stage so the scope is clear before a visit is arranged.

A few useful answers.