What Pool Owners Should Know About Swimming Pool Equipment Protection

When the water begins to freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, it forms microscopic ice crystals. As the ice crystals form, the water volume increases by 9%. This process generates pressure that's enough to cause the pool's concrete to crack.

Although it's not rare for us to get below freezing in the south, there are still times when temperatures drop significantly below that level.

This is an important step to take when it comes to protecting your pool equipment. If the temperature gets too low, you should protect your pool equipment:

• Remove all accessories: pool ladders, motors, pumps and diving boards in a dry, sheltered place.
• Completely drain water from all pool pipes, filters, chlorinators, pumps, and heaters.

What should you do to your other equipment?

 

Pool Pump And Filter

When temperatures drop, your pool pumps and filters need to be maintained to prevent issues. Follow these simple steps to keep them running smoothly:

• After turning off the pump switch, waterproof the terminal box.
• Open all pump valves and remove the drain plug from the pump.
• Completely drain the filter tank. Your filter elements and filter covers should be removed, cleaned and stored in a dry place, free from dirt and dust.
• Use waterproof coverings to protect outdoor pumps. Alternatively, outdoor pumps should be disconnected and moved into a dry, safe room.
• Miscellaneous pump fittings and drain plugs that have been disconnected should be stored in a pump (hair and lint) basket.

 

Pool Chlorinators And Chemical Feeders

These pool components can be fully protected from freezing temperatures if a pool does the following:

• Disconnect power to the chlorinator and chemical feeders.
• Drain water from all the parts of the chlorinator/chemical feeder.
• Remove outdoor chlorinators/chemical feeders and store them in a dry, safe room.
• Return chlorine gas cylinders to the supplier when your swimming pool closes.
• Remove cells within electrolytic chlorinators. After water has been drained off completely, the cells should then be stored in a safe, dry place.
• Clean calcium carbonate/calcium hydroxide deposits off hypo-chlorinator systems and drain water from hoses and the hypo-chlorinator diaphragm. The integrity of the hypo-chlorinator system should then be checked. The system’s electric motor should be removed and stored away in a dry, warm location.

 

 Heaters And Light Care

• UV generators should be drained. The lamp and quartz sleeves should be removed and stored in a warm, dry area.
• Drain your pool’s heater equipment. At the same time, turn off the pilot flame and main gas valves, as well as the pool’s gas supply.
• Clean the heater tubes.
• Remove and disable the pool lights form all niches and store them away in a dry, warm place after completely purging them off any water present.

 

Care Of Pool Skimmer

When the weather gets cold, drain all of your skimmers. Then, put antifreeze into each one.

Most of the tasks mentioned above are carried out in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the pool hardware.

 

Store Accessories

These items are not intended to be used over the winter. They can be destroyed by rodents and other creatures that visit these parts during the winter months.

To avoid having to replace everything in one year, you should store and clean these items before putting them away.

 

Cover Your Pool

Winterizing a swimming pool is a great way to keep your pool clean and secure. However, it is important to choose the right cover for your pool.

Aside from regularly cleaning the pool cover, it is also important that the leaves and other debris that fall on it are removed. The cover should also be monitored to prevent any accumulation of ice or snow on its surface.

 

 

This post was originally published on ABC Blog

 

If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!