Newbie North Texas pool closing

[Grnctrtl]

NEWBIE HERE...I have only lived in my house for about a month now and am just now starting to figure out my pool. I still have a lot of learning to go but it's cool outside today and that got me to thinking about closing the pool. Is it necessary in my neck of the woods? Can I keep maintaining my pool as I have been even though we do get freezing temps here? My old AG was easy as I just unplugged the 2 lines and drained the filter and pump. This one has 2 main drains, 2 skimmers, a Polaris, and some waterfalls. I'm pretty confident with the chemistry, and my pool has been sparkly this last month, but I don't want to break something by not winterizing properly. I've read a few posts about others in southern climates not closing, but not in my area.

 

[Texas Splash]

Stacie, others in your area might have another opinion, but unlike the true northerners who can see major freezing for weeks on-end, those in your area (or mine at times) see those winter blasts that hit at night and the morning hours and usually tend to not last as long or be quite as severe as other parts of the country. The problem with that is while the water surface may not freeze, parts and equipment around your pool can. Last winter, even some southerners who never close experienced problems with the unusually bitter cold - usually equipment related. Some used to get-by with simply leaving the pump on to keep water moving so the lines won't be able to freeze. But if power goes out, your pump's freeze protection kicks in, or water simply stops moving for some reason, things get tricky. That's when the freezing begins and swelling occurs. Even waterfalls can be tricky if water gets in those joints and swells.

I suspect you'll find a mixture of opinions about N Texas closing, some who close and others who don't in your area. If you chose not to close, I would consider the following:
- Keep water moving during those hard freezes
- Have a way to cover or protect the equipment pad to keep the freezing rain/temps off the equipment. Consider a drop light under outdoor plastic and blankets/tarps to help insulate and retain some warmth.
- Wrap above ground PVC
- Consider covering your waterfall if possible so that water doesn't seep into grout/mortar and swell/crack.
- Have some scrap pool noodles available to cut and place in the skimmers just in case.

The lines underground should be fine. But having a contingency plan with those items noted above can come in handy.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Stacie,

I have three pool in the DFW area and have never closed any of them.. I run my pumps 24/7, at a low RPM, so that there is always water moving. As long as the water is moving, it will not freeze here..

I agree with all the things that Pat says above...

My main concern about your pool would the water pipe going to the slide. Since it is small and way above ground, I'd try and see if you can clear the line of water and then shut it off.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Grnctrtl]

Thank you both for the replies. In really appreciate it.

I was not given any information on how this pool works so I've been doing it all by trial and error. This forum has helped a lot, but at times I feel like I'm in a bit over my head.