Winter Guide for Texas Swimming Pool Cold Weather Care
** CAUTION ** Update: 1/19/2025
WE ARE STRONGLY URGING DRAINING EQUIPMENT DUE TO HEAVY FREEZE PREDICTIONS WITH SLEET/SNOW ACCUMULATION.
IT IS NOT GOOD TO KEEP YOUR PUMP RUNNING IN ANY HEAVY FREEZE CONDITIONS
(see heavy freeze instructions below - do not run your heaters in freeze conditions)
Their pipes and pumps started freezing even though their pumps were running the whole time. Luckily, none of these customers suffered any major damage, but it was too late for 1 customer to drain their equipment as their drain plugs had already frozen over and water could not be drained. Take precautions early with predicted weather.
IF TEMPERATURES WILL BE BELOW "FEELS LIKE" FREEZING (32*) FOR A PROLONGED AMOUNT OF TIME
FOLLOW STEPS 3-6, THEN 1-2 BELOW.
If there is any chance of losing electrical power and you can't keep pumps running in ANY freezing conditions (feels like 32*),
then it is best to follow steps 3-6, then 1-2 below.
Do not turn your pool heater on when temperatures are below 50*, this can damage your heater and void your warranty.
If there is a chance of snow or rain during any freezing conditions, it is best to cover all equipment with cushions/cardboard insulation AND then place a WATERPRROF tarp over cushions, so tarp is not making contact with any equipment or plumbing.
We advise using our guidelines to decide what is best for your property based on what the "real" conditions look like for your property.
Please stay safe and warm!
Bill & Renee
HEAVY DEEP FREEZE INSTRUCTIONS
AIR TEMPS BELOW "FEELS LIKE" 32* FOR EXTENDED HOURS
AND/OR WITH POSSIBLE RAIN, SLEET OR SNOW:
Follow steps 3-6, then steps 1-2.
3. TURN OFF Main Power To Pump(S).
So Pump Will Not Automatically Turn On Until You Manually Turn It Back On.
4. Open Filter Air Relief Valve(S).
5. Remove Pump Strainer Pot Lid(s).
Loosely set them back in place to keep rain/snow accumulation from getting in pots.
6. Open ALL drain relief plugs on pumps, valves, heater, filter, filter valves, chlorinator, and salt cells to allow water to drain out and make air gap room for any frozen water expansion.
Drain relief plug locations will be different for every make and model equipment.
Here is a link to the general locations of drain plugs:
Pumps - 1 or 2 (usually thumb) drain plugs will be located at the bottom of pump housing either in the front or on the side of pump.
Filter -
a. Air relief is located on top of filter and should have a pressure gauge attached to it.
b. The 1.5" filter drain plug will be located at the bottom of the filter close to the ground, either in the front or on the backside of the filter.
Channel lock pliers will help make this removal the easiest.
Filter Valve - 1 plug - Usually needs a flat head screwdriver or socket wrench to remove.
Heater - Depending on model of heater it may have 1 or 2 drain plugs.
a. On the plumbing side - the drain plug will be located on the lower part of the header where the pipes go into the header.
b. On the opposite side of plumbing - the drain plug will be located on the return header which is usually behind a small removable access panel.
c. Some model Raypak heaters will have a clear Protek shield under the header where the plumbing attaches to the heater instead of a drain plug.
To remove: Take off wing nut and disconnect ground wire. Unscrew the clear Protek shield.
IF PUMPS ARE INOPERABLE DURING LIGHT FREEZE CONDITIONS LASTING MORE THAN 4-6** HOURS:
- Follow steps 3-6, then 1-2.
Do not turn pumps back on until everything is completely defrosted and all freeze dangers have passed.
(** If we have a HEAVIER freeze then follow these steps if freeze will last more than an hour)
*Once your water freezes in the pipes or equipment it is too late to effectively drain all the water out.
SHORT TERM FREEZE ONLY - FREEZE PREPARATION ADVICE IS AS FOLLOWS:
During All Short Term Cold Temperatures Below 38* Or With A Slight Chance Of Freezing Temperatures:
- KEEP ALL PUMPS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY so the warmer pool water (50-60 degrees) will circulate and not allow water in equipment or plumbing to freeze.
- For variable speed pumps, make sure they are not running on low speed when the cleaner booster pump is running.
- Variable speed pumps should have a temperature sensor that will make sure the pump runs at a minimum speed to keep the computer from freezing.
- 38 degrees with a wind chill can create freezing conditions of below 32 degrees.
- If freezing temperatures, snow, rain will be for more than a few hours follow heavy freeze directions above:
KEEP ALL WATER PUMPS RUNNING UNTIL DANGER OF FREEZE PASSES.
IF SMALL AMOUNTS OF SNOW OR FREEZING RAINS ARE EXPECTED:
1. Place cardboard or seat cushions on top of equipment and plumbing.
2. Loosely cover equipment with a WATERPROOF tarp.
DO NOT USE ANY TARP THAT IS NOT WATERPROOF, IT WILL FREEZE AROUND EQUIPMENT.
Make sure tarp is not in direct contact with pumps, equipment or plumbing, using blankets and cushions as a spacer between tarp and plumbing.
*** IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DON'T PLACE ANYTHING MAKING CONTACT WITH THE MOTORS,
SO THE AIR CAN CIRCULATE AND NOT OVERHEAT THE MOTOR.
Lay the tarp to prevent puddling snow or ice that will sit directly on top of the equipment or plumbing.
CLICK HERE: >>>
Turning On Swimming Pool Pumps After Freeze
How to turn your pump(s) on:
Automatic Remote Systems
These systems should already be programmed to turn ALL your pumps on anytime the air temperature drops below 38.
If all pumps do not come on, or you cannot turn them on from your indoor controller, then:
1. Go to outside Control Panel.
2. Place Controller into "Service" Mode.
3. Turn on All pumps (Filter, Cleaner, Fountains, Etc.)
4. After Freeze Danger - turn outside control back to "Auto" mode.
*Remember, if you turn pump on or off from inside controller, then the scheduled programming will take over control turning on or off at the next scheduled time.
To avoid this, you will have to put controller into "Service" mode as stated in 1-4 above.
Manual Time Clocks
If you do not have a freeze protector installed on all pumps, then you will have to switch each pump on before any freeze dangers (temps less than 38 is standard) At pumps controlled by Mechanical Timers:
1. At each timer: Slide Switch(s) to "ON" positions and pump(s) should come on.
2. If needed: Loosen and Remove "OFF" Trip Switches on Timer Dial so pump(s) will stay on.
3. After Freeze Danger - Replace "OFF" Trip Switches on Timer Dial.
4. Adjust Timer Dials to Correct Times by Pulling Outward on Dial and Rotate to Correct time.
5. Check that dial feels like it seated properly back down into the gears.
If one of the trip switches is near the current time indicator (the silver marker pointing downward from center of dial), you may have to offset the dial or the trip switch to move dial.
Variable Speed Pumps - VS pumps should be automatically protected to run a minimum speed to keep motor and computer warm.
1. If VS pump is not running at any time during freezing temperatures then it may need to be manually operated to run continuously at 2000-2400 rpm.
2. Make sure VS pump is running at least 2400 rpm when the cleaner booster pump is running.
If at any time pumps need to be turned off the remainder of the cold weather, we advise turning off all electric breakers to pool equipment to power everything down.
* At All Times Of The Year, If You Notice Any Equipment Not Working Properly:Turn Off Power To Equipment And Contact our office For Additional Service.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email us at: [email protected]
We make every effort to help everyone as quickly as we can.
If your pool pumps are shut down, keep them off until all freeze dangers have passed.
Please follow this advice for checking and restarting your swimming pool after freeze conditions are over.
