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High-angle shot highlighting in-pool lounge chairs, swim-up bar, and sea wall

Hurricane Preparedness: Protecting Your Pool

Critical instructions to safeguard your pumps, maintain shell weight, and secure electrical assets before a Florida storm hits.

What Our Clients Say

Pre-Storm Checklist

Do not wait until the last minute. Follow these three critical steps when a hurricane warning is issued.

1

Keep the Pool Filled

DO NOT drain your pool. The water weight is the only thing keeping the concrete shell anchored against rising groundwater pressure.

2

Store the Pump Motor

Disconnect the quick-release unions, unplug the power cable, and store your pump motor safely inside your garage or home.

3

Cut the Main Breakers

Turn off the electrical panel at the main breaker before the storm makes landfall to prevent electrical shorts and fires.

ELECTRICAL SECURITY

Quick-Disconnect Plumbing Unions

Standard pool filtration systems are hard-plumbed, making it impossible to remove the pump during a flood warning. The motor gets submerged, ruining it instantly. We install high-quality PVC quick-release unions and watertight plug connectors on all our pool installations. This allows you to remove and protect your pool motor in under 60 seconds with no tools required.
Hands unscrewing a modern white PVC plastic quick-disconnect union joint on pool equipment plumbing

Waterfront Defenses & Engineering Details

Anchors, structural frames, and relief setups.

Shimmering turquoise pool with sun shelf overlooking a coastal waterway canal
waterfront

Clearwater Waterfront Canal Pool

Shimmering turquoise pool with sun shelf overlooking a coastal waterway canal Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Finished rectangular concrete pool next to a waterway canal with travertine decking
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Clearwater Canal-Front Custom Pool

Finished rectangular concrete pool next to a waterway canal with travertine decking Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Under-construction custom pool showing grey stone pavers deck and circular spa shell
construction

Waterfront Pool Deck Installation

Under-construction custom pool showing grey stone pavers deck and circular spa shell Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Side angle of concrete pool shell and raised spa under construction next to a canal
construction

Excavated Waterfront Pool Shell

Side angle of concrete pool shell and raised spa under construction next to a canal Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Drone photograph of a coastal pool showing custom swim-up bar and putting green
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Waterfront Luxury Pool Drone Overview

Drone photograph of a coastal pool showing custom swim-up bar and putting green Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Top-down drone view capturing the entire pool shell, swim-up table, and spa
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Complete Custom Waterfront Pool Layout

Top-down drone view capturing the entire pool shell, swim-up table, and spa Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Vertical drone shot of waterfront pool, raised spa, artificial turf, and dock
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Top-Down Coastal Pool Overview

Vertical drone shot of waterfront pool, raised spa, artificial turf, and dock Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

High-angle shot highlighting in-pool lounge chairs, swim-up bar, and sea wall
waterfront

Waterfront Pool Swim-Up Bar & Ledge

High-angle shot highlighting in-pool lounge chairs, swim-up bar, and sea wall Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Elevated rock waterfall spa spilling into the main pool waterway next to a dock
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Rock Grotto Spa & Waterfall

Elevated rock waterfall spa spilling into the main pool waterway next to a dock Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

Close-up of submerged stone table and concrete bar stools in clear pool water
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Submerged In-Pool Concrete Dining Table

Close-up of submerged stone table and concrete bar stools in clear pool water Professional custom design and engineering by Neikens Pool & Spa.

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Pinellas County Storm Resilience

St. Petersburg is exceptionally vulnerable to storm surge and high tidal water tables. When a major hurricane approaches, taking correct action can save you thousands of dollars in structural and equipment damage. Erik & Ada Neikens are committed to providing local homeowners with the engineering upgrades and knowledge needed to protect their pools.

Equipment Protection

We install heavy-duty union joints, elevated concrete equipment pads, and weatherproof sub-panels to protect your system.

Schedule a Storm-Prep Upgrade

Ask Erik to install quick-disconnect unions and audit your storm prep.

PREPAREDNESS RULE

Why We Plumb for Portability

"During a major hurricane, the storm surge will submerge pool equipment. A flooded pump motor is ruined instantly, costing $2,000+ to replace. By plumbing pumps with quick-release unions, you can disconnect the motor, carry it to the garage in 60 seconds, and reinstall it once the storm passes. This simple prep saves your equipment."
Erik Neikens, Master Builder
Erik Neikens Master Builder

Frequently Asked Questions

Important storm safety and pool care answers.

Yes. Power will likely go out, shutting off your chlorinator. Adding liquid chlorine or shock before the storm keeps water clean and prevents algae while the pump is off.

Most standard policies exclude outdoor pool equipment and motors from flood damage coverage, or carry high deductibles, which is why manual removal is crucial.

Throwing furniture in the pool can damage the plaster and pool lining. Instead, store all loungers, chairs, and toys inside the garage or home.