Pool Freeze Damage Prevention
Did you know that taking care of your pool doesn’t stop when you put your pool cover on?
Now that winter is here, and we are starting to experience more freezing temperatures, we’ve put together some tips for pool freeze damage prevention.
Here are some tips for pool freeze damage prevention.
- Check the water level in your pool.
- If the rain has caused the water level in your pool to increase, lower it now so it doesn’t freeze and cause damage to your skimmers, tile, or coping. The water should be about 4-6 inches below the skimmer.
- Add some shock and algaecide to kill any algae and bacteria that may have grown during our warmer days.
- Double-check your pipes and motorized parts. Make sure there isn’t excess water in these parts. If there is, and water freezes in these pipes, they can crack, causing you to spend lots of money.
- We also advise checking your pool cover monthly. If you have a slow leak in the cover, you could experience water level problems. Drain or refill as necessary. If your cover is falling into your pool, make sure to fix it right away to prevent damage.
What to Do If You Have to Defrost
If you didn’t winterize correctly or missed a step and part of your pool equipment gets frozen, don’t panic, but act quickly.
1. Turn off Your System
If your pump is frozen, turn it off. Don’t leave it running while it’s frozen.
2. Cover the Equipment
To start the defrost process, put some heavy blankets around your equipment to help thaw out your pool pump. A small heater works too, but don’t leave this unattended.
You can use blankets over other parts, such as filters, pipes, etc. It may take a while to defrost.
3. Inspect for Damage
Once thawed, check for damage. If any of your equipment has extreme freeze damage, give us a call.
4. Defrost Your Swimming Pool
If your swimming pool water itself is frozen, which is likely in central Kansas, run your filter and pump. Moving water doesn’t freeze as easily.
If you leave your swimming pool open during the winter, you want to continue to run your pump and circulate your water 24/7!
Got questions or a major freeze problem? We are here for you! If you have any questions or would like our assistance, please stop by one of our three locations or contact our service department.
And remember, to ensure a successful opening come springtime, it’s important to check in with your pool during the winter.
Photo credit: MrHicks46 via Visualhunt / CC BY-SA
