Pool management in freezing temps

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bmsm6

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Mar 19, 2016
36
NC
We've had several days without the air temp getting above freezing, and we have a few more to come it seems. Our pumps have been running round the clock in freeze protect mode, and after noticing a layer of ice in the pool yesterday and the water level getting low, I'm wondering if there are some things I should be doing differently. Here are my questions/concerns.

1. Our water level has been dropping probably 1-2" per week this winter. I had thought it was due to a leak on our equipment pad, but our pool guy fixed the visible leaks a few weeks ago and we're still losing water apparently. Since it is difficult to add water to the pool in freezing temps, is there any reason I shouldn't just close off the suction coming from the skimmers so that the water pulled into the pump is just coming from the drain at the bottom of the pool? I suppose the water in the skimmers could freeze without any circulation coming through, but I'm not sure if that is a problem or not. I was assuming the bigger problem may be if the water level gets too low and the skimmer suction pulls in air.

2. Currently in freeze protect mode, the valves are positioned in a way such that both of our pumps are pulling in water coming from pool drain/skimmers. One pump sends the water through the filter and back into the returns on the pool wall, while the other pump sends the water into the spa returns, causing the spa spillover to remain on (which now has a lot of ice under it). I am wondering if I can manually open the valve that controls water coming from the spa drain, so that both pumps pull in water from both the pool and spa, then one pump returns water to the pool while the other returns water to the spa. I know enough about how the pressure/suction works to know if this would work or not. Another option could be for me to turn both the spa and pool valves so that only spa water goes through one pump and back into spa, while only pool water goes through the other pump and back into the pool. I can post a pic of our equipment pad if needed.

3. I was also wondering if I should run our heater a bit to keep the water temp above 32, but I did see a few posts on here saying that isn't a good idea, and as long as the water is moving through the pipes they shouldn't freeze even if temp gets below 32, so I guess I've already gotten that question answered. Right now the water temp is 34 and air temp is 30, but it'll be in the teens the next 4 nights.
 
Your water loss is most likely due to increased evaporation. Your pool water is much warmer than your air temperature, especially at night. You should add water. I would be concerned with the skimmer area getting ice and causing an issue.

All above ground equipment should have water running through it during this freezing time. You can run the VS pumps at lower rates to reduce aeration and evaporation, especially with the spa overflow. Best would be if you could balance the spa suction/return so you do not get overflow.

Do not run your heater. Not designed for those conditions.

Take care.
 
I didn't realize we could have evaporation in winter but your explanation makes sense...I'll be happy if that's what it is! I will try to add water to the pool. One of our spigots was frozen a few days ago, so hoping the other still works. Really ready for this cold weather to move on!

Regarding balancing the spa suction/return I'm hoping my pool guy will get back to me on that soon...not sure I want to try to figure it out on my own unless we get a day above freezing so I have more time for trial and error. :)

Thanks for your help.
 
I live in central NC and we're having the same cold weather. I would either leave all systems running or winterize (blow out and remove all plugs) completely. I usually winterize the pool but we just had it replastered and I'm still balancing the water.

We haven't been losing any water (to evaporation) so it sounds like you may still have a leak somewhere.
 
sktn77a said:
I live in central NC and we're having the same cold weather. I would either leave all systems running or winterize (blow out and remove all plugs) completely. I usually winterize the pool but we just had it replastered and I'm still balancing the water.

We haven't been losing any water (to evaporation) so it sounds like you may still have a leak somewhere.
Click to expand...

bms & skt

Even though you both live in NC, your conditions could be entirely different that impacts evaporation. A more open back yard susceptible to winds will remove more water than a blocked off pool area from wind. Being in a much more humid climate can also reduce evaporation w everything else being equal, as well as a full cloudy day vs full sun, the latter increasing evaporation. If you want to be sure, fill up a 5 gal bucket and place it where the majority of your pool has the same conditions as the bucket. Fill bucket as close to top as possible and measure waterline...measure the waterline in your pool and then re-measure in next 24 hrs...

also note, keep your water features to a minimum when testing for evap bc that can also cause evaporation...if your bucket waterline does not lose as much water, you could have a pool leak...if your pool has more water, you're using a bucket w a sm hole in it :D
 
Well I was finally able to thaw out the outdoor hose bib so I could fill the pool, pumps have been running ok in freeze protection mode, but I just went out and saw the chlorinator had exploded within the last hour or so. No chlorine tabs in it but I thought water should have been running through it since the valves were open. Now I can't close the valve since it's frozen. Makes me wonder if our filter could be starting to freeze too?? The pressure gauge is looking lower than normal so it may be broken. Any advice on how to minimize additional damage? Obviously when the chlorinator ice block thaws it'll leak but hopefully by then I can close the valve.
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Wow -- so -- you are best now to get the equipment drained as much as you can (filter, pump, etc) and cover it. Put one or two drop lights or other heat source under the cover. Hopefully that will minimize things. But you may find more damage when it thaws.

Take care.
 
I don’t put much faith in “freeze protection.” I see it more as “chilly protection.”

The first apparent failure is usually a the chlorine feeder & tends to be caught quickly by owners or staff.
Systems without the feeders can take a little more punishment. The first danger signal of the latter (systems w/o feeders) is ice starting to form in the pump housing despite system running.
 
bms, sorry for your pain.

1. I would turn off the breaker that powers all your equipment and shut down all..

2. If you're able, drain any and all on the equipment pad: pumps, filters, PVC, etc. You can also take off any pump basket covers or similar so if you do experience further water volumes expanding due to freezing, it will expand up into any open areas and not outward towards plastic parts, thus cracking. PVC pipe, valve areas, etc that are self contained and not able to be pressured released of fluids due to freezing could be a foregone conclusion. however, I have actually unfrozen the main PVC line from my well to my house [in the country] by hitting it w a hair dryer on hot and high speed. there was one place that faced the N wind that was not insulated right below the soil line that froze and the hair-dryer did the job.

3. Put any thermal covers over each piece of equipment and place any incandescent lights you have under the covers, protecting all from wind. Make sure you keep the cover from directly coming in contact w any lights..you can place the light in a large glass jar or similar. You want to keep the light under covers, not touching covers.

Good luck and hopefully this will be over for you and your nbors soon - tstex
 

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I would immediately cut all power and pull the drain plugs from all of your equipment. I will hope for the best for you but I think you are looking at some serious damage throughout your pool. In the future I suggest you winterize the pool. It is $300 to have a professional do it.
 
Is water still running through the PVC on equip pad and through pumps in full capacity? If so, you still have time to drain them.

If you shut off power & open pump basket tops, the water should start draining back into pool...also open pressure relief valve on filter system - this too will encourage water to drain from pump back to pool (this is assuming your equipment is above grade of pool. As noted, opening drain plugs is encouraged too

If you can do the above, you should be good to go...
 
Fortunately we were able to get someone out here this morning to winterize so I didn't have to wing it on my own. We've never winterized because we use the spa some during the winter, but going forward it looks like we'll have to. Thanks everyone for your input and advice!
 
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