Any risk in running pump in 10 degree weather without a heater?
- Thread starter AndyTN
- Start date
This thread is a source of amusement for me, as a “northerner.” 
Frost-free faucets. This is the default up north where I am. I need to top my spa off every week or so for evaporation from a cover in bad shape (new one on order but I waited way too long to order). Just filled up my spa last night from an outdoor spigot yesterday in below zero F temps. The house mounted spigot has the valve 12” back from the handle, well inside the basement. No freezing even with the -15 °F we’ve reached this winter. When shut off with no hose the remaining water drains out due to a small slope. I’ve got a quick disconnect to attach the hose too the faucet to easily disconnect once done. I drain the hose after and leave it outside. Been working great for over a month now!
Frozen pool, please help. My first time on this site. Read thru a lot of posts on the topic. Very helpful info. My automation kept pool pump running, but when I checked on it today, the water is frozen, none of the 3 waterfalls are working and I think it is not full enough now and sucking air. What do I do? Thanks
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,069
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Dang, I haven't had any slush since I bumped up the RPMS to 2400 and added water. I may kick it up a bit more before bed.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,672
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Welcome to the forum.
Turn the pump off at the circuit breaker. Remove the filter, pump, and if you have one, heater drain plugs. Open the filter pressure relief valve first.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,069
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
That is no good. Can you add water to keep if from sucking air?
If not, the emergency plan should be:
1. Turn off the breaker
2. Drain all equipment using the drain plugs at the bottom
3. Open all valves, the pump lid any anything else you can
4. Put a tarp over the equipment
What pool temp is to be considered dangerous, with the pool pumps all running 24/7 ? Is below freezing pool water temp ok, as long as the water is constantly flowing?
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,069
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You should be fine in Houston with the freeze protection keeping the water running. We are at 11 degrees now and everything is running fine with just freeze protection, and that is similar to your low tomorrow. We had some ice starting to form and I kicked up the RPMs and have not seen any since this morning.
My water temp says 34 right now, but that is also under a tarp on the equipment pad so I'm guessing it is right at 32 or a bit lower.
My water temp says 34 right now, but that is also under a tarp on the equipment pad so I'm guessing it is right at 32 or a bit lower.
Thanks, I thought not good. Ok - bundling up to try and do something. Thanks for the quick response
New question I haven't seen yet:
We have an infloor system and 'venturi' skimmers. One skimmer has suction to the pump, the other does not. Also have suction from the main drain.
If we get enough slush or a layer of ice on the pool...enough to impede suction through the skimmer, is it beneficial to keep the water moving under the sheet of ice since it can draw water through the main drain if I turn the valve 'off' to the skimmer suction? I have 2 pieces of pool noodles in each skimmer already. OR...call it quits and drain the pump and filter now? Water temp is now 32 degrees. Air temp 11 and 'feels like' temp of -7.
And here's what's coming:
Sunday night/Monday: Snow ends overnight into tomorrow morning.
Monday: High in the low teens. Dallas's all-time coldest high temp was 12 degrees back in 1899. That will be challenged tomorrow. We clear during the day and tomorrow night gets extremely cold. Lows 0 to -10 below including outlying areas. Wind chills -15 to -25 below.
Tuesday: Remain frigid with highs in the upper teens to low 20s.
Tuesday night/Wednesday: Our 2nd snowstorm arrives after midnight and snow last through Thursday morning.
We have an infloor system and 'venturi' skimmers. One skimmer has suction to the pump, the other does not. Also have suction from the main drain.
If we get enough slush or a layer of ice on the pool...enough to impede suction through the skimmer, is it beneficial to keep the water moving under the sheet of ice since it can draw water through the main drain if I turn the valve 'off' to the skimmer suction? I have 2 pieces of pool noodles in each skimmer already. OR...call it quits and drain the pump and filter now? Water temp is now 32 degrees. Air temp 11 and 'feels like' temp of -7.
And here's what's coming:
Sunday night/Monday: Snow ends overnight into tomorrow morning.
Monday: High in the low teens. Dallas's all-time coldest high temp was 12 degrees back in 1899. That will be challenged tomorrow. We clear during the day and tomorrow night gets extremely cold. Lows 0 to -10 below including outlying areas. Wind chills -15 to -25 below.
Tuesday: Remain frigid with highs in the upper teens to low 20s.
Tuesday night/Wednesday: Our 2nd snowstorm arrives after midnight and snow last through Thursday morning.
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Is there a way I can manually turn UP the RPM's of the "Freeze Protection" pump for my main pool/spa pump? ( I would have to do it at the outdoor EasyTouch 8 panel at the equipment pad, since my ScreenLogic isn't plugged in yet). It doesn't appear to be cranked up overly high, currently.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,069
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
It should run at whatever rpms you have set for your Pool and Spa circuits. Try bumping those up and it should do the trick. If it helps, mine at at 2400 now, and probably going a bit higher before bed.
This is from a spigot in the garage. It’s crazy but it worked.Ok, I don't know how to do that, but will try and research how to. I didn't set any of this up, the Pool School guy did, without me watching :-/
I'm a bit afraid to go messing around in the menus , because I don't want to somehow mess things up with my Freeze Protection that's currently running well.
If I cover my pumps and other stuff (pipes, etc) with blankets and what not, do I need to make sure to allow plenty of room for the pumps to vent? I'm a bit concerned to cover the pumps overly snug, if they need room to ventilate. Or, do I even need to cover up the pumps?
Well, no luck. My faucets froze as well, even though I covered them. No way to get water out there. And I can't tell which breaker goes to it. One says garage and outside outlets, I flipped it and my hot water heater went off so I flipped it back real quick (hope that didn't mess anything else up). I don't have a tarp. I am stuck i guess till my husband gets back in town. Im sure this is gonna cost me.Thanks, I thought not good. Ok - bundling up to try and do something. Thanks for the quick response
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,069
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Here is what mine looks like in the Intellicenter. I just press up or down on the rpms to get it where I want it. 99% of the time, I keep my pool setting at around 1,400 but as you can see I have bumped it up to 2,400 and probably going a bit higher soon.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,672
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
You have to have a sub panel at the pool equipment pad. Unless this is a very old pool setup.Well, no luck. My faucets froze as well, even though I covered them. No way to get water out there. And I can't tell which breaker goes to it. One says garage and outside outlets, I flipped it and my hot water heater went off so I flipped it back real quick (hope that didn't mess anything else up). I don't have a tarp. I am stuck i guess till my husband gets back in town. Im sure this is gonna cost me.
- Nov 7, 2018
- 1,049
- Pool Size
- 14000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Yep, keeping an eye on it. I went ahead and turned off the heater since it shouldn't get below freezing for the next few days and the snow drifts up along the pad shelter has added an extra insulating effect bringing the temp up a little more. The birds are loving the pool...they think that are at Warm Springs, Georgia
If the evaporation gets to be an issue, I am able to run a hose from our utility room so I won't have to use outside spigots (they are on an independent system from the household water and has been shutoff/winterized). As an added bonus, since we are on a well, that water will be a nice and toasty 55-60 degrees.
I believe you noted you have an Easytouch panel (and screen logic is not installed yet) - to change your pump speed from the panel look at this document and page 27 I believe.
https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/product-related/product-manuals/pool-and-spa-equipment/easytouch/EasyTouch 8 and 4 Pool and Spa Indoor Control Panel Installation-Users Guide_English.pdf
As noted by others it uses the "Pool" circuit pump speed for the speed of Freeze Protection, that is likely the only one you should have to worry about for now.
If you don't know which pumps or equipment you have I'd be trying to reach the pool company. Or post pictures here, many are willing to continue to help.