Prepare Your Pool For Freezing Temps

Prepare Your Pool For Freezing Temps

January 10, 2024 Amanda Cox Comments Off

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.

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.

Prepare your backflow device:

Freezing temperatures don’t happen too often in Houston, but when they do, it’s important to prepare! With the arctic blast scheduled to hit Houston on Thursday, taking the time to prepare your home and yard for the freeze could save you hundreds of dollars on burst pipes.

Following the below steps will help depressurize your system and prepare it for the freeze. There are so many variables that can cause one residents irrigation to freeze and the next door neighbors not to freeze, the biggest being is your backflow preventer being exposed to the north.

Follow the steps below to remove water and winterize your backflow device:

STEP 1: Turn off the shutoff valve

On most residential backflow devices, there are two shut-off valves. These are typically covered in blue rubber and are located before and after the actual backflow device.

STEP 2: Release the water pressure

Now that you have shut off the water valve, you must release the water that is in the device so that it doesn’t expand when it freezes and crack the device. With a flat head screwdriver, loosen the two bleeder valves (#3 and #4 as illustrated). The bleeder valves are usually located just under the plastic top of the backflow. Sometimes, they have rubber inserts you have to remove before you can see the flathead screw. When opening these, be aware that the water will spew out for a few seconds and your hands will get wet. NOTE: If the water doesn’t stop spitting out after a couple minutes, you haven’t fully turned off the water in step 1.

STEP 3: Leave the smaller bleeder valves open

This will allow the water to expand and freeze without being hindered and causing damage.

STEP 4: Insulate your backflow

At almost all home improvements stores, they carry backflow preventer insulation materials. Amazon and other stores also carry insulated bags that can be slipped over your backflow and secured with velcro.