Going to get down in the single digits here in Central Texas next week and I'm concerned.
We've had extended periods in the 20's (even upper teens) before with no problems (even without draining the equipment on the pad), but I'm concerned now. Earlier in the fall, I drained the filter and pulled the plugs on the pump, but that's because I was anticipating nothing extraordinary. I can't even recall the last time we've had temperatures even get down below the mid-teens.
Thus my question, should I consider dusting off the pump, and getting it running again? I'm especially worried about the skimmer (even with putting sealed bottles of antifreeze or alcohol in the basket), not to mention the below ground pipes. Going to be a pain as the pump hasn't run in a while and the water in dirty, meaning there's going to be pressure issues (tearing down and cleaning a filter in freezing weather is not something I'm looking forward to).
If I decide not to fully restart the pool, should I at least try running the pump on the waste setting until the skimmer is empty and try to get out as much water from the lines as possible? I know some people recommend blowing out the lines, but I no longer have a working leaf blower. Even just thinking about the possibility of having to rip out the decking to replace busted pipes gives me the vapors.
Sorry for the freakout, but this is something we don't run into much down this way (as before, I'm having trouble to trying the remember the last time it even got below the teens here in the past 50 years).
Thanks.
We've had extended periods in the 20's (even upper teens) before with no problems (even without draining the equipment on the pad), but I'm concerned now. Earlier in the fall, I drained the filter and pulled the plugs on the pump, but that's because I was anticipating nothing extraordinary. I can't even recall the last time we've had temperatures even get down below the mid-teens.
Thus my question, should I consider dusting off the pump, and getting it running again? I'm especially worried about the skimmer (even with putting sealed bottles of antifreeze or alcohol in the basket), not to mention the below ground pipes. Going to be a pain as the pump hasn't run in a while and the water in dirty, meaning there's going to be pressure issues (tearing down and cleaning a filter in freezing weather is not something I'm looking forward to).
If I decide not to fully restart the pool, should I at least try running the pump on the waste setting until the skimmer is empty and try to get out as much water from the lines as possible? I know some people recommend blowing out the lines, but I no longer have a working leaf blower. Even just thinking about the possibility of having to rip out the decking to replace busted pipes gives me the vapors.
Sorry for the freakout, but this is something we don't run into much down this way (as before, I'm having trouble to trying the remember the last time it even got below the teens here in the past 50 years).
Thanks.
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