Confused about what to do in winter

Jump to latest Follow Reply
S

SteeVie

Member
Apr 28, 2022
12
Apple Valley, CA
Hello,
We have a pool/spa combo with a spillover, but not automation. They run on shared equipment. I didn't realize until this week that this may be a problem going into winter. I can't seem to get my valves adjusted just right so that water is pulling from both pool and spa suction and returning to both without the spa running low or spilling over a bit. I'm concerned that without automation when we do get low temperatures (I'm in the CA desert where we rarely have sustained freezing temps, but sometimes get cold snaps that can keep us barely above freezing for a few days,) the spa plumbing may freeze if I only have the pool suction and return on.
I'm honestly a bit peeved that our building did not bring this up. We already went over budget, and I was not willing to pay the scam-level prices for the relatively simple automation (pool builder was going to add on 10k+ for it.) I plan to build my own automation system eventually, but I won't be able to make it happen before winter.
I didn't plan on winterizing, but now wonder if I will need to. I know that the other pool owners in my area don't really winterize, and I assume some of them have the same type of setup that I do, so maybe I'm just worrying unnecessarily. After spending 80k on our dream pool I don't want to ruin it the first winter and face a costly repair bill. I appreciate any help you folks can offer!
I hope that right-to-repair laws change the monopoly practices that these pool component manufacturers engage in. I should not be without a warranty or support for choosing to install my own equipment. I manage significantly more complicated systems on a daily basis and have the skills and knowledge to do it myself! Sorry for the rant...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
So if you get a brisk week, let the spa spill over a bit. It will raise your PH, but for a couple of days, it's the far lesser of 2 evils.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteeVie
Newdude said:
So if you get a brisk week, let the spa spill over a bit. It will raise your PH, but for a couple of days, it's the far lesser of 2 evils.
Click to expand...
I'm worried that any water that makes it onto the tile on the face of the spillover wall might freeze and cause damage. Not really worth worrying about? I definitely don't mind adding the acid necessary to keep the pH in check, especially if the alternative is frozen pipes! I appreciate the help!
 
SteeVie said:
if the alternative is frozen pipes
Click to expand...

We are talking about a rarity here, it won't be frequent. And of those times, it still likely won't be cold enough to freeze anything to the point of damage. Either the daytime highs will keep the water above freezing or running the pump will keep it from freezing. For the first few days of any spell, the ground will insulate anything below. Your only real concern is above ground pipes.

And don't worry about water freezing *on top* of anything. If water/ ice gets under anything, that's a whole different story. (y)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: SteeVie
SteeVie said:
I'm worried that any water that makes it onto the tile on the face of the spillover wall might freeze and cause damage.
Click to expand...

What is the condition of your grout lines? Do you have any cracks or separation between the grout and tile?

What type of tiles do you ahve on your spa wall? 1X1 glass tiles with many grout lines or larger porcelain tiles?

What can cause a problem is moisture getting into cracks in the grout and freezing and cracking the grout or loosening tiles.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteeVie and Newdude
What did people do before automation?

We had 2 pool spa combos when I was growing up with no automation. I remember my dad would turn on the pump at the timer box when a freeze was coming. I do not remember him ever messing with the valves, but you could leave the spa returns and drains cracked a little to keep water flowing through all of the pipes. I would just make sure you have the spa return flowing a bit more than the drain so you would essentially be running the spillover.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SteeVie
I can't see why you wouldn't let it spill at a pretty good rate. I assume your water is significantly above freezing all winter. In that case, a steady flow is your friend because it brings with it a steady supply of heat (relative to 32F) to prevent freezing. Things only ice up where water stands still.

I'm saying this because we run our spill constantly in freezing weather. Water gets down to 38 in February and we had a couple of 12F nights last year. Never any ice at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude and SteeVie
generessler said:
I can't see why you wouldn't let it spill at a pretty good rate. I assume your water is significantly above freezing all winter. In that case, a steady flow is your friend because it brings with it a steady supply of heat (relative to 32F) to prevent freezing. Things only ice up where water stands still.

I'm saying this because we run our spill constantly in freezing weather. Water gets down to 38 in February and we had a couple of 12F nights last year. Never any ice at all.
Click to expand...
This is what I think I'll do. Keep solar cover on and run pump on a low RPM, enough to keep the spill way flowing and not dribbling anytime it's really cold. I suppose I'm worrying too much about it.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
saltaire said:
We have similar set up (one heater, filter pump). What are your settings? We would also like to heat the pool to 85 and the spa to 98 in the winter. How can we accomplish this?
Click to expand...
I suppose initially as you heat the pool up you would set the suction to pool, returns to both pool and spa, and run heater in pool mode until the pool reaches desired temp, then move suction and return to spa only and set heater to spa mode. That's just based on my limited knowledge thus far.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply