In DFW here, our power went out for a long time yesterday. When we got power late last night I stupidly turned on the pump - heard a loud pop from the motor. At first I thought it was a surge but then I thought it was probably because ice was stuck in there. Not smart on my part, not thinking because I've never been in this situation before. Regardless, I can't move any water right now. Motor hums but no water moves. I opened plugs and drained what water I can from the pipes near the pump and the pump itself. But I'm worried about skimmers today and tonight. What could I do about those?
Power went out during hard freeze - pump motor likely shot
- Thread starter Colonel Travis
- Start date
- May 3, 2007
- 18,190
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
This is one of the reasons I don't like to rely on running the pump for freeze protection.
In most cases, you are ok unless the temperatures get much below 20F or below freezing for more than 12 hours. If that is the case, you can tarp the equipment and put a light bulb under the tarp but that also depends upon power being available.
Assuming your equipment is above water level, the most effective method of preventing freezing is to just drain the pad equipment of water. You can open the filter purge valve and pump lid and allow the water to drain back into the pool.
In most cases, you are ok unless the temperatures get much below 20F or below freezing for more than 12 hours. If that is the case, you can tarp the equipment and put a light bulb under the tarp but that also depends upon power being available.
Assuming your equipment is above water level, the most effective method of preventing freezing is to just drain the pad equipment of water. You can open the filter purge valve and pump lid and allow the water to drain back into the pool.
- May 3, 2014
- 63,042
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
For your skimmers you can use pool noodles cut up and shoved into it or take a plastic bottle and put a few rocks in it and place into the skimmer. The empty bottle will take the expansion of the ice instead of your skimmer.
Good luck.
Good luck.