Here comes another frozen pool guidance question..... ALWAYS run our pool during freezes, have had this baby 28 years and NEVER EVER lost power for 36 hours as we did in TX. Pool is off via the breaker, but we could not get any equipment off during the freeze (even hot pans of water did not help). All we were able to do was loosen the top of the canister filter. It got to 0 with a couple of days of high of 11. We wrapped all exposed pipes in blankets. At this point nothing appears cracked but there are three different valves that as of today, with a high of 41, we still cannot turn. Not even going to attempt turning it on until we can easily turn all three valves and take the top of the pump basket and make sure there is no ice in there. We are supposed to stay above freezing after tonight for the next ten days and get in the 60s next week but due to a 12 ‘ fence and the winter sun, no sun is getting on the pool equipment. Any estimate on when it might naturally thaw? I built a tent around the system and pad today with wool blankets and put in a small office desk electric heater but just read on this site that is not a good idea.
Deep Freeze in North Texas
- Thread starter doloskeeter
- Start date
you can remove the top of the valves so that may help to determine their status. Just don't want to get rough with it if ice formed around the valve mechanism and holding it in place. did you unscrew the drain plugs in the pump and filter? Be sure to check the tube and body of the inline chlorinator as those are susceptible to cracks.
The tent and blankets should help. The reason for the concern with the heat lamp is that if your pump was running and for some reason the heat lamp failed and activated the GFCI then it may shut off your pump unknowingly. But if you got all of that shut down, then creating some heat should be fine - just do not direct it to a pvc pipe or a filter - try to create radiant heat and not direct heat on any given pipe or equipment.
Unfortunately we could not get the screw out of the drain pump but we’re successful with the filter. Thank you for responding I see soooo many posts so I appreciate you reaching out. Will try unscrewing the tops off the valves tomorrow afternoon.
UPDATE. Took down my blanket tent today that was around the pool equipment and the valves would turn. Unwrapped the heavy blankets from the equipment. No visible cracks on any of the equipment or PVC pipes. Drained the pump and cartridge filter which we could not do after the power went out and everything froze. Ice in the pumps, cartridge filter and automatic chlorinator. Poured tepid water around ice areas and then let everything set until about 4 pm. Put humpy dumpty all back together with clean cartridge filters, fired her up, and
she fired up! No damage to any equipment and we are estastic that this 28 year old pool is ready for the grandchildren as soon as it warms up!
Thank you for the advice to not force anything and let nature take its course as far as the big thaw.
she fired up! No damage to any equipment and we are estastic that this 28 year old pool is ready for the grandchildren as soon as it warms up!
Thank you for the advice to not force anything and let nature take its course as far as the big thaw.
Great news and excellent feedback on what you did with positive results.