Using a Harbor Freight sump pump for circulation in the winter?

[ImMikeJones]

I don't know how durable these things are but I was thinking of getting a cheaper harbor freight sump pump and putting a 2' piece of PVC with a 90 degree elbow at the top and just running it when it's going to get cold. Where I live we are usually mid 30s to mid 50s all winter but we have a week or so of sustained sub-freezing temps (like 20ish).

I am just paranoid to leave my new VSP and filter out there all winter. I know they probably won't freeze when running but I would rather just bring them inside for the winter but I still wanted to have the ability to circulate the water some. Might help with opening too if I can run it for a day with chlorine before hooking everything back up?

Thoughts? Am I over thinking it? First two years I left the pump running all winter with a black tarp cover on it. Last winter I used a mesh leaf cover (still ran the pump all winter).

 

[trivetman]

Why not just close it down and cover it up. No reason to run the pump all winter.

If there is a reason…a sump pump will probably work. Not sure they’re meant for continuous submersion though.

 

[ImMikeJones]

Why not just close it down and cover it up. No reason to run the pump all winter.

If there is a reason…a sump pump will probably work. Not sure they’re meant for continuous submersion though.

I guess I just thought it would be better for the water to circulate so it doesn't get stagnant. But I guess if the water is below 60 all winter it shouldn't be an issue to just sit there?

 

[trivetman]

Yep. Standard close for us northerns is to tarp it up, blow out the pipes and let it sit till the spring. As long as you open early enough, the spring cleanup isn’t so bad.

Closing an In Ground Pool

Winterizing a pool is essential for keeping your in-ground pool protected during cold-weather months. This Pool Repair guide will show you how to do it.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mmcwhorter]

You will need a pump to remove water from above the tile line. If it freezes it could remove some of your tiles. I have a love seat in the deep end and keep it there. I have a weather system that measures rain here accurately, so I am pretty well advised on "how much" when any rain accumulates. I pop off the cover at two anchor spots, peel it back so I can see the water line....and if need be...drain 1-2 inches. A real 1/2 HP sump pump is way too powerful. My little drain pump takes 2 hours or more per inch. For me, slow drain is better, set a timer Mine connects to a ten-foot-long garden hose for the drain side. It comes with a filter for the intake, which didn't last more than a couple of years....but a baby sock and a zip tie works just a well.