When Hurricane Season Leaves Your Pool Damaged: Understanding Surface Impact and Resurfacing Decisions

Hurricane season in Florida brings more than just powerful winds and heavy rainfall—it can wreak havoc on your pool’s surface, leaving behind damage that requires immediate attention and potentially costly resurfacing. Understanding how these severe weather events affect your pool and knowing when to consider resurfacing can save you from more extensive repairs down the road.

How Hurricanes Damage Pool Surfaces

Hurricanes are devastating forces of nature, and they can wreak havoc on swimming pools. Hurricanes can destroy swimming pools and put foreign objects and substances into them. The damage extends far beyond what’s immediately visible on the surface.

Storms that bring high wind and rain — such as hurricanes — can sweep large amounts of dirt and debris into your pool. Large storms may even cause flooding, which can generate an even longer list of potential contaminants, including mud, silt, and germs. This contamination doesn’t just affect water quality—it can cause lasting damage to your pool’s surface materials.

The water and chemicals will cause corrosion of the furniture and chemical reactions will leave permanent staining in the pool’s finish. Most of these stains require expensive resurfacing of the pool to remove them. Even seemingly harmless debris can create problems that extend far beyond the immediate cleanup period.

Common Surface Damage After Hurricane Season

Examine the pool’s structure, paying close attention to the presence of cracks, chips, or any other indications of structural compromise. These may have resulted from the powerful forces exerted by the hurricane. The most common types of surface damage include:

• Staining and Discoloration: The truth is hurricanes throw massive amounts of water around, and that water can either be contaminated already or pick up new contaminants along the way. While there is no way of knowing the severity of toxins that could be in the water without lab testing, you can safely assume you will need to super chlorinate.
• Surface Erosion: You are more than likely going to need calcium to prevent damage to your pool plaster. This is because soft rain water might have affected your water hardness.
• Structural Cracks: The intense pressure and debris impact during hurricanes can create hairline cracks that may not be immediately visible but can worsen over time.
• Chemical Imbalance Damage: With the soft rainwater, you are more than like going to need to check your water hardness and add some calcium back to the pool to prevent damage to the pool plaster.

Warning Signs That Indicate Resurfacing Is Needed

Not all hurricane damage requires immediate resurfacing, but certain signs indicate that your pool’s surface has sustained significant damage that won’t resolve with standard cleaning and chemical balancing.

One sign that it may be time to resurface the pool becomes evident when certain types of stains develop. However, if you are dealing with the types of stains that will not go away regardless of how hard you try, this could be a clear sign that a resurface job is in your future.

Peeling plaster, also called “spalling,” appears when thin layers of the pool’s surface start flaking off. Compared to stains or minor roughness, this form of deterioration signals advanced damage that cannot be reversed without new surface material.

Large cracks or spider web cracks occur due to the natural process of the cement hydrating. Also, if left untreated, these cracks can eventually lead to a pool leak, which is a serious issue that can drastically raise your home’s water bills.

Additional warning signs include:

• Rough or abrasive surface texture that causes discomfort to swimmers
• Persistent water level drops indicating structural leaks
• Loose or missing pebbles in aggregate finishes
• Discoloration that returns despite proper chemical treatment

When to Consider Professional Resurfacing

Hairline cracks might only degrade the finish, but deeper cracks risk leaks and shell damage. If you discover noticeable cracks, resurfacing combined with professional repair is the safest approach to protect your investment.

The decision to resurface shouldn’t be taken lightly, as homes with recently resurfaced pools tend to sell for about 7% more than similar properties with older pools, showing just how much a fresh finish can boost value.

Consider resurfacing if you notice multiple warning signs simultaneously, especially after hurricane damage. While some water loss through evaporation is normal, losing more than 1/4 inch per day indicates potential structural problems. Persistent leaks can compromise your pool’s structural integrity and lead to more extensive damage requiring complete resurfacing.

Professional Assessment and Local Expertise

For Broward County residents dealing with post-hurricane pool damage, working with experienced local professionals is crucial. DCP Pool Services understands the unique challenges that Florida pools face during hurricane season. Transform your backyard with DCP Pool Services in Broward County, FL. Expert pool installation, maintenance, and repair.

DCPP Services has been keeping Fair Gate pools swim-ready for years. We understand that Florida pools face challenges you won’t find in other states – intense UV exposure, frequent afternoon storms, and year-round swimming that puts constant demand on your equipment. We know how to prevent problems before they start and fix them quickly when they do occur.

When considering pool resurfacing coconut creek and surrounding areas, it’s essential to work with professionals who understand both the immediate damage from hurricanes and the long-term implications for your pool’s structural integrity.

Taking Action After Hurricane Damage

Even if you are comfortable doing some of the work yourself, it is always best to refer to professionals regarding pool restoration after a hurricane. Working with electricity, using chemicals, and dealing with structural damage are all tasks only professionals can do.

The key to successful pool recovery lies in prompt professional assessment. Monitoring your pool for peeling plaster, stains, rough textures, cracks, leaks, and other signs of damage helps you stay ahead of major repairs. Addressing these issues before they spiral into structural failures can save on costs and preserve your investment in the long run.

Hurricane season damage to pool surfaces is more than just a cosmetic concern—it can indicate serious structural issues that require professional intervention. By understanding the warning signs and working with experienced local professionals, you can ensure your pool remains a safe, beautiful, and valuable addition to your home for years to come. Don’t wait until minor hurricane damage becomes a major structural problem; early assessment and appropriate resurfacing can protect your investment and restore your pool to its pre-storm condition.