Freeze Protection for Pool and Hot Tub Owners

Costly freeze damage can occur to your pool, hot tub, and/or equipment when the temperature is at 32 degrees or lower.
With the very cold weather coming our way this winter, please be aware of the following five important tips for freeze protection for pool and hot tub owners.

Freeze Protection

1. Run your filtration pump and all auxiliary pumps continuously (the pool cleaner pump doesn’t need to run) – all day and all night. If it’s functioning properly, your freeze guard should run the pump automatically until temperatures rise above freezing.

2. Always maintain proper pool water levels (at the middle of the tile line). If the water level drops too low, the pump will draw in air through the skimmers, increasing the risk of equipment freezing damage.

3. NEVER backwash during extremely cold conditions. Filter pressure gauges can freeze, resulting in inaccurate readings.

4. DO NOT use your heater during extreme cold unless it has constantly been running (like in your hot tub) prior to the drop in temperature.

5. If possible, adjust your pool and spa jets upward to reduce surface freezing.

If You Have a Power Failure

If the power fails during extreme cold, your pool pump will shut off unless it’s connected to a home generator.

If this happens to your un-winterized swimming pool, RUN to your pool equipment pad and unscrew the two drain plugs on your pump and heater, and the single filter drain plug.

Open the filter air bleeder and any closed pool lines. Shut the power off at the breaker so the pump won’t turn on without water inside. When your power is restored and any ice has melted, replace the plugs, prime the pump, and start it up.

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to give us a call!