Closing ASAP HELP power out

Jump to latest Follow Reply
J

jamesduffield1

0
Dec 5, 2016
35
Charlotte, NC
Hey guys, here's the deal I'm in NC. Daytime high just above freezing night time lower teens.Last night we lost power so the pump stopped and pool iced up. Power came back on 8 hours later while I was at work. So once I get home and as I was trying to break the top layer of ice up in the process ripped a hole in the linear. Normally I run the pump 24 hrs a day until the weather passes however with the leak/tear it was losing water below the skimmer. I now need to get rid of the water below the jets. Normally I don't winterize but now it seems I have no choice. I'm lowering the water below the jets and am going to plug the 2 jets, skimmer and turn off the pump. FYI the liner is like 15 years old and was planning on replacing anyways. Question is what to do now so my equipment doesn't freeze up and the pipes don,t crack.
Thanks TTP guru's in advance.....
 
Re: HELP power out

Here are a couple of our standard TFP winterizing pages:
Pool School - Closing (Winterizing) Your Above Ground Pool
Pool School - Closing an In Ground Pool

You'll see some similarities in each page and how they can apply to you. Since this is a quick-close issue, you'll want that ability to plug skimmer if possible once you pull or push/blow-out the lines. A "Gizmo" has been a popular choice, but not sure if you can get one locally so soon. Call around though. Or, you can also use a pool noodle in the skimmer as noted on THIS THREAD.

If you don't get more closing assistance from people who do this every season, we might consider modifying the thread of your title to include something like "Closing Help ASAP". It might catch more eyes that way. Hope that helps.
 
Re: HELP power out

Texas Splash said:
Here are a couple of our standard TFP winterizing pages:
Pool School - Closing (Winterizing) Your Above Ground Pool
Pool School - Closing an In Ground Pool

You'll see some similarities in each page and how they can apply to you. Since this is a quick-close issue, you'll want that ability to plug skimmer if possible once you pull or push/blow-out the lines. A "Gizmo" has been a popular choice, but not sure if you can get one locally so soon. Call around though. Or, you can also use a pool noodle in the skimmer as noted on THIS THREAD.

If you don't get more closing assistance from people who do this every season, we might consider modifying the thread of your title to include something like "Closing Help ASAP". It might catch more eyes that way. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

UPDATE: DUH.... its to cold to remove the eyelit around the jets anyways......dumb question just answered


Thanks for your reply. Great information !! I'm kind of in a bind the pool has been draining since 5pm now going on 8 hours finally gotten down to the water being under the jets, however its frickin freezing out and a little late to blow the lines,, its dark and its 12 degrees out , BRR might i be ok for 24 hours until I have a chance to blow the lines when its above freezing or can I plug up now and then blow them out tomorrow?
 
The cold is simply too tough right now. But if the system is off, you might at least pull the drain plug on your pump(s) if they are going to stay off for a month or two. Same with the filter. At least that way your equipment doesn't expand and get damaged. You can always deal with the pool itself later. If you are not able to relocate the filter and pump(s), then consider wrapping them (after draining) with tarps or anything else you may have available to keep the bitter elements from direct contact.
 
jamesduffield1 said:
Hey guys, here's the deal I'm in NC. Daytime high just above freezing night time lower teens.Last night we lost power so the pump stopped and pool iced up. Power came back on 8 hours later while I was at work. So once I get home and as I was trying to break the top layer of ice up in the process ripped a hole in the linear. Normally I run the pump 24 hrs a day until the weather passes however with the leak/tear it was losing water below the skimmer. I now need to get rid of the water below the jets. Normally I don't winterize but now it seems I have no choice. I'm lowering the water below the jets and am going to plug the 2 jets, skimmer and turn off the pump. FYI the liner is like 15 years old and was planning on replacing anyways. Question is what to do now so my equipment doesn't freeze up and the pipes don,t crack.
Thanks TTP guru's in advance.....
Click to expand...

Old or new liner never break the ice in any liner pool.
 
Thanks yes I tried to loosen the plug on the pump and the filter but it literally been in the lower single digits high maybe 20 the whole week and they wouldn't budge.I'm not going to try messing with it until its at least above 40. Its my fault for one breaking the ice that caused the rip that forced me to have to drain the water in the first place, lesson learned for life. I'm just hoping the frost line doesnt go low enough for long enough to damage the pipes that I didnt have time to blow out in the freezing cold. This all was brought on by a 8 hour power outage at 8 degrees at night an a novice pool owner ...Is the equipment sitting there with frozen temps and not drained a total killer on the gear? I'm not going to run the pumps until it good and dry for months until the new linear is installed new water etc. I'll be sure to pressure test it first yes?

The pool is now 1" thick, wouldn't I still have a frozen pool even if i lowered the water line to below the jets and winterized it...minus blowing out the lines removing eye lits plug etc.? Is the water in the pipes in NC under the ground in danger of freezing over?

So I should just wait it out is what your saying and just let in thaw out?
 
Is the equipment sitting there with frozen temps and not drained a total killer on the gear?
Click to expand...
You won't know until you try starting everything. The problem with freezing is the internal pressure applied to various parts. So only time will tell.
The pool is now 1" thick, wouldn't I still have a frozen pool even if i lowered the water line to below the jets and winterized it...minus blowing out the lines removing eye lits plug etc.? Is the water in the pipes in NC under the ground in danger of freezing over?
Click to expand...
Yes, even winterized pools can freeze at the surface to some degree. What we hope to do by winterizing is prevent the catastrophic damage to the plumbing, skimmer, and expensive equipment by draining/removing water from the lines. So while the pool itself may get a good layer of ice on it, everything "internally" is fairly dry and/or evacuated enough to where any residual moisture freeze won't expand and damage things. Hopefully the pipes underground were sheltered by the soil during this storm to where it wasn't cold long enough to do anything to them.

At this point, it's probably best to let "Grayson" swing on through. Once temps increase above freezing long enough to where it looks like you can remove drain plugs, I would do that anyways. Don't force anything that seems stuck or may still be brittle from the cold. Don't try to start anything yet until you know that all any potential frozen items are thawed and you are sure water can (should) move freely. Then you might give things a quick test run - watch for leaks & listen closely to the pump motor and anything else that may seem odd. Keep your fingers crossed. :)
 
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