Freezing Temps And Your Pool
When the temperature drops pool owners shouldn’t worry if water freezes across your pool’s surface. Your main concern should be with your pool pipes and equipment. If your pool equipment isn’t winterized, water can freeze inside of your pump, filter or heater damaging these components so it’s important to keep water flowing through your pool’s system the entire time the temperature is freezing.
There are things you can do to prevent costly repairs and replacement:
Keep your system running 24/7
- Most automation systems (Pentair, Hayward, Jandy iAqualink) have built in freeze protection settings that will activate once temperatures get below 39/40 degrees. Your system will run continuously until the temperatures elevate back above 39/40 and will resume your regular schedule.
- If you do not have an automation system and have a dial timer (timeclocks), you can take the ON and OFF clips off of the dial timer and let your system run continuously so there is always water moving through your system.
- If you have a second auxillary pump for water features or a waterfall, you will want to make sure to turn that pump on and run it continuously as well until the temperatures elevate back above freezing.
- Be sure to keep an eye on your equipment. If for any reason your freeze protection setting is not activated by the temp sensor, put your pool into service mode at the automation panel and start the pumps manually. Leave it running 24/7 until the temperatures rise back above freezing.
DON’T let your water level drop.
- In many homes, the swimming pool is within eyesight of the backyard, so it’s easy to see when the water is down. But for others, the swimming pool is out of view. If you don’t have a water timer or refill mechanism, make sure your pool stays full because your equipment can freeze if air gets through the skimmers and into the system.
DO NOT cover your pool heater with insulation or a blanket.
- It could accumulate moisture which can corrode the heater’s interior parts causing the coils inside to deteriorate or the burner compartment in the gas heater to rust.
- The heater could turn on by itself or someone unfamiliar with your pool could turn it on accidentally while the cover is still on. The heat pump needs proper air flow over the coils. Without allowing fresh air in and flue gases out, the equipment won’t operate properly and become damaged causing an expensive repair.
If the power goes out and your pool system stops running:
- Cut off the current to your equipment from the circuit breaker.
- Open the air relief valve at the top of the filter. If your air bleed valve is frozen, open it up by melting the ice with warm water.
- Remove all drain plugs and drain the water from the pump and heater and store them inside the pump basket. Then just place the lid over the pump basket, but don’t lock it down.
- If you have a chlorinator, remove the tubbing and lid.
- Open all your valves or adjust your 3-way valve to allow water through to all pipes back into the pool.