In this article
Sandstorms are part of life in Saudi Arabia, and the pool is the first place you see them. The water turns cloudy, sand settles on the floor and the skimmer fills with dust and leaves. Cleaning in the right order brings the pool back quickly; the wrong order can clog the filter or strain the pump.
Before the storm
- Fit the pool cover when weather warnings are issued, if you have one.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets.
- Make sure the water level is normal, neither high nor low.
- Move light furniture and umbrellas away from the pool.
After the storm: the right order
- Skim out leaves and large debris by hand.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets before running anything.
- Let the water settle so sand drops to the floor instead of circulating into the filter.
- Vacuum the floor slowly. With heavy sand, vacuum to waste if your system allows it, so the sand leaves the pool instead of loading the filter.
- Backwash the filter and watch the pressure gauge until it returns to normal.
- Top up the water lost to vacuuming and backwashing.
- Rebalance the water chemistry, since dust shifts alkalinity and pH and consumes chlorine.
Why the water can stay cloudy
Very fine particles can keep the water hazy for a day or two. Run the filtration longer, backwash when the pressure rises and use a suitable clarifier for your filter type if needed. If it stays cloudy beyond that, the filter media or the water balance is usually the issue.
Protecting the filter and pump long term
- Check filter pressure after every dust event.
- Filter sand needs periodic replacement, and frequent dust shortens its life.
- Never run the pump with a full basket or with water below the skimmer opening.
- A maintenance contract makes post-storm cleaning part of the service.
Frequently asked questions
How long until the water is clear again?
Following the right order, usually one to three days depending on the amount of dust and the filter condition.
Can I run my robotic cleaner straight away?
Remove large debris first and empty its basket often, because heavy sand fills it quickly.
Does a cover keep dust out completely?
It greatly reduces it, but some dust can enter at the edges, so a light clean is still needed.
