How To Protect Your Pool In A Winter Storm
Brace yourselves, winter is coming! And with it, the potential for some real damage to your pool equipment. But fear not, for with a little preparation and these handy pool protection tips, you'll be able to weather even the most severe winter storms and cold snaps without a scratch. And if the worst happens and a power outage strikes, our freezing weather pool care tips will have you covered so you can emerge victorious, with a sparkling pool and equipment intact.
Get Your Pool Ready for Cold Temperatures
When you know harsh weather is approaching, take these steps to protect your pool:
Keep the water level at the middle of the skimmer.
Adjust the water balance to the following levels: pH: 7.4–7.6, Total Alkalinity: 80–120 ppm, Calcium Hardness: 200–400 ppm, and Free Available Chlorine: 2.0–4.0 ppm.
If you have a Polaris, take it out, empty the water, and store it in a safe place.
With Power
During typical central Texas winter storms, the temperatures usually aren't low enough to result in a complete power outage, making this method a reliable solution.
It is important to note that this approach does comes with potential risks. In case of power outages during prolonged extreme weather conditions ( like the crazy Snow-pocalypses that hit in 2021 ), your equipment may be at risk. If the power is cut off for even a brief amount of time, water inside the equipment can freeze, causing severe damage.
If you choose to continuously run your pool pump and filter, consider the following steps:
Before freezing weather and low temperatures, clean or backwash your pool filter to ensure proper water flow during the cold.
Run your pool pump and filter continuously, as moving water freezes more slowly.
If you have a variable speed pump, run it at higher speeds throughout the freezing period to ensure proper water flow.
Listen to your pump motor. If it makes a loud noise during operation, there may be trouble with the bearings. As soon as the temperatures rise above freezing, have the motor serviced by a professional.
Insulate plumbing lines with blankets or towels to prevent
PRO TIP: For those short term cold spells where temps drop between 0°F and 32°F: turn on your pool heater, but make sure you do it before it gets too cold and keep your pump running non-stop. Just a heads up, though, using your heater for too long when the water's below 50°F can do some damage that your warranty may not cover.
Without Power
Well, we hope it doesn't come to this, but in the event the power is out and your pool equipment is unable to run, here are some steps to take to maintain the safety and integrity of your pool:
Turn off all equipment and breakers.
Open the air relief valve on your pool filter.
Remove drain plugs from the front and rear headers of your pool heater, as well as from your heat pump if you have one.
Remove the lid and drain plugs from your pump.
Take out drain plugs from the filter or any other unit that holds water, including in-floor system valves.
Remove the top from Jandy valves, check valves, or other valves and open them if necessary to allow water to flow through the pipes.
Place empty plastic gallon jugs in your pool to absorb ice expansion and protect your pool tiles or finish from freezing weather. Make sure each jug has a bit of weight (sand or rocks) to keep them submerged but not fully submerged. You can also use inflatable pool floats or anything else that can absorb pressure.
Put an empty plastic drink bottle (if a Gizzmo is unavailable) in the skimmer to protect it. The bottle should have enough weight to stay partially submerged, but it should not be full. Do the same for in-deck chlorinators or deck debris traps for in-floor cleaners.
If there's an auto leveler, wrap a towel around the vac break (backflow preventer) to prevent damage.
What If I Didn’t Prepare?
If you didn't have a chance to prepare your pool for freezing weather, damage may be unavoidable. To minimize any damage, try to insulate and cover the system's pipes as much as possible using pool noodles, blankets, towels or other options. But be careful not to use anything that could cause further damage by interacting with heat-producing equipment.
After The Storm
Start by visually inspecting your pool and equipment. Look for any cracks, chips, or other signs of damage on the pool surface, as well as on the walls and floor. Check for any leaks or damage to the pool's plumbing and equipment, such as the pump, filter, heater, and valves.
Next, test the pool's water chemistry. A significant change in pH, chlorine, or other chemical levels can indicate damage to the pool's plumbing or equipment. Check for any discoloration or cloudy water, which can also be a sign of damage.
Finally, check for any signs of damage to the pool's electrical system. Look for any tripped breakers or blown fuses, and check that all lights and other electrical components are working properly.
Remember, if you are unsure of the extent of the damage or how to fix it, it's always best to contact a professional pool service technician for help. They will have the knowledge and experience to properly diagnose and repair any damage caused by freezing temperatures.