Snow / Ice tonight

[dphanes]

We are getting several inches of snow and ice this evening. I have a cover for the motor but wasn’t sure if I should cover the basket area of the pump?

Thoughts? I can put an k dilated small pillow over it and tape it down.

 

[dphanes]

Any issues with running your pump during a snow/ice storm to keep the water warm?

 

[Texas Splash]

Everything in pic #2 looks covered well. Keep the water moving (slow speed or rpm is fine) and you should fair well through the storm. Do have a Plan B though in case power is interrupted. That's when the real fun starts. So if you lose power, know where all your drain plugs are ([ump, filter, etc). Stay safe.

 

[mknauss]

I believe all pool heaters warn the owner that continuous operation at a water temperature below 68F will damage the heat exchanger. So it is not wise to use the pool heater for that purpose.

 

[Texas Splash]

Be sure to keep water moving if you don't have a bypass. Be prepared to drain is you lose power.

 

[dphanes]

Everything in pic #2 looks covered well. Keep the water moving (slow speed or rpm is fine) and you should fair well through the storm. Do have a Plan B though in case power is interrupted. That's when the real fun starts. So if you lose power, know where all your drain plugs are ([ump, filter, etc). Stay safe.

So no issues covering the strainer basket area? I can’t think of any but wanted others opinions. The motor has a cover but it is not blocking air.

Plan B is a generator to run the pump

 

[dphanes]

Be sure to keep water moving if you don't have a bypass. Be prepared to drain is you lose power.

Thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

No problem covering the pump strainer/pot area. Generator ....

 

[ajw22]

I believe all pool heaters warn the owner that continuous operation at a water temperature below 68F will damage the heat exchanger. So it is not wise to use the pool heater for that purpose.

It causes corrosive condensation in the exhaust..

Heater Condensation - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[thegizzard]

Is Freeze Protect enough to protect the Pool?

 

[ajw22]

Is Freeze Protect enough to protect the Pool?

Yes, if everything works perfectly. Power stays on, pump works, actuators don’t burn out, etc.

 

[dphanes]

Is Freeze Protect enough to protect the Pool?

Should be

 

[Trk3263]

Same storm here in the upstate of SC so I thought I would tag along on this thread. I have power and my pump is running and water is flowing however, with all the snow and sleet my water is now just above the skimmer. Is it safe to drain some or should I just leave it alone until things thaw out. Normally our snow here comes and goes in the same day or next day but this time it may stick around a few days.

 

[mknauss]

You can drain some water if you can safely do so.

 

[Trk3263]

This place has the best customer service around. Thank you drained it a little and now much better surface flow.
@dphanes how did you make out in NC?

 

[mknauss]

This place has the best customer service around.

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[dphanes]

This place has the best customer service around. Thank you drained it a little and now much better surface flow.
@dphanes how did you make out in NC?

Better than expected. Freezing rain didn’t materialize and have 4-5 inches of sleet.

This is definitely a great forum.

 

[peril]

Is Freeze Protect enough to protect the Pool?

Yep - as long as pump is running - moving water doesn't freeze.

 

[peril]

Yep - as long as pump is running - moving water doesn't freeze.

That's a BIT of an untruth - as all water will freeze if it gets cold enough but if you can keep the pump running, and the water in the pool is above freezing it will keep the filter / pump / heater plumbing clear (and because there is an intake that is at the drain of the pool - it would have to freeze many feet thick to block that supply.)

Skimmers can freeze over so if you only have the skimmer supplying your pump, and that freezes - you will not be able to move water thru it, but most pools have a drain that is part of the supply, and as long as you don't cut it off - you will be able to circulate non-frozen water into your drain -> pump -> jets happily.

Plan B in case the power goes out is a good idea - I ran out in the snow last year in bare feet and pjs and a headlamp and a pair of pliers and pulled out all the drains I could find - pool pump, booster pump, filter, and then make sure all of your drains are partly open to not trap any water in the plumbing. (Don't forget the heater too if you have one.)

And keep the power off until it warms up enough to prime and rerun the pump - you tile / concrete should all be fine for one or (2) freezes.

--Adrian

 

[Darin]

The pump and motor are designed to be outside with out covers. If you keep it running it will all be fine. In these scenarios all you need to to is watch for electricity failures, in which case you would need to act quickly to drain what you can and hope for the best.