Afternoon storms and what they leave behind
From early summer into the fall, southwest Florida gets regular afternoon thunderstorms. A hard downpour dilutes the chemicals in a pool and can push the pH and chlorine out of range within hours. Wind blows leaves, bugs and fine debris through the screen, and a storm can fill the skimmer basket quickly.
Lightning is a real concern for equipment, too. A strike nearby can damage a pump motor, a control board or a salt cell without any visible sign. If the pump has not run properly since a storm, it is worth having someone look at the electrics.
