Brace for the Chill: Keeping Your Pool Safe During a Freeze!
When the weather forecast screams “hard freeze,” it’s natural for pool owners to worry. You might think you need to rush out and drain everything, but if you plan on keeping your pool operational through the winter, that’s actually the wrong move right now.
You can absolutely keep your pool running during freezing temperatures, but you cannot ignore it. A frozen pipe or cracked pump housing can be an incredibly expensive repair.
If a North Texas big freeze is coming, here is your essential checklist to decrease the chances the freeze damages your pool equipment and plumbing.
In case you didn’t see our January newsletter – see the winter tune-up special below!
1. The Golden Rule: Keep the Water Moving!
This is the single most important step. Moving water does not freeze in the Dallas, Fort Worth region.
Before temperatures drop below freezing (32°F/0°C), ensure your main pool pump is running. It needs to run continuously—24 hours a day—until the freeze has passed and temperatures are reliably back above freezing.
2. Check Your Freeze Guard / Freeze Protection
Most modern pool automation systems have built-in “freeze protection.” Sensors detect when the air temperature drops (usually around 34°F-38°F) and automatically turn on your pump to keep water circulating.
Contact US- Verify you have a freeze guard: Go to your control panel and ensure the freeze protection mode is enabled. Scroll to bottom for links to videos for most common panel types.
- Listen for it: If it’s below 35 degrees, go to your equipment pad. You should hear the pump running even if it’s outside your normal scheduled time. Checking at night is the perfect time!
Note: If you have water features with separate pumps (like waterfalls or sheer descents) that are not tied to the main freeze guard, you need to manually turn those on to run 24/7 as well.
3. Clear Skimmer and Pump Baskets
Circulation is your only defense against freezing. If your skimmer baskets are clogged with leaves, water cannot flow to the pump. If water stops flowing into the equipment, it will freeze rapidly.
Before the cold front hits, empty all skimmer baskets and the main pump basket to ensure maximum water flow.
4. Check Your Water Level
Ensure your pool water level is at the proper height (at least halfway up the skimmer opening). If the water level gets too low, the pump will suck air, lose its prime, and stop moving water—leaving your equipment vulnerable to freezing.
Cleaning Pool MaintenanceA Note on Heaters
Many people ask if they should run their pool heater. While running the heater can help keep the equipment slightly warmer, it is generally not necessary to prevent freezing as long as the water is moving. In fact, some heaters create too much condensation when heating in cold temperatures, which can create their own separate issues.
The circulation pump is the real hero here.
Preparing for Power Outages
If your neighborhood loses power, you should quickly go to your equipment and unscrew the drain plugs on the bottom of your pumps, filter, and heater. Here is a video on how to do this…
Consider a Power Outage Alarm
But what if the power goes out when you’re sleeping?!!? These power monitors plug into the wall and ring if the power goes out, waking you up so you can quickly drain the equipment.
Example: https://a.co/d/3C8zyO1
Do I Cover My Pool Equipment During a Freeze?
While we don’t require it, some pool owners feel more comfortable if they cover their equipment and put a space heater under the cover. Just consider these things…
- Don’t accidentally start a fire with your heater. Especially if the blankets get wet and touch the heater.
- When pump is running, the water is coming from a very cold pool. It shoots through the pipes faster than the space heater has time to heat up the water.
- If your equipment is off because of a power outage – a space heater would not have power either, and the pipes will freeze if equipment isn’t quickly drained.
Because of the safety risks and limited benefit – water shoots through the pipes before it can heat up – we generally don’t encourage covering the equipment. And also – if the equipment is covered up with a complex rope and bungy cord system, our techs can’t empty the pump basket or ensure the filter pressure is good. This can cause separate other issues!
Summary: Do Not Turn It Off!
The biggest mistake you can make during a hard freeze is not monitoring your pumps to make sure they keep running! Keep the power on and the water flowing, and your pool should weather the storm just fine.
Stay warm everyone!
How to Check Pool Freeze Guard Settings
Digital Controls:
Pentair EasyTouch: https://youtu.be/g6TTK-raHiQ
Pentair IntelliCenter: https://youtu.be/F7dJMFqqsKQ
Pentair IntelliConnect: Page 8, Mobile App only: https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/automation/intelliconnect/manuals—user-documentation/users-guide/intelliconnect-link20-app-guide.pdf
Jandy AquaLink: For this model, you use your indoor control panel, handheld remote, or mobile app (below).
Panel: https://youtu.be/BVVDuf9_T0g?si=Z4P7uAsPeeGeH6ig
Jandy (Zodiac) Remote: https://youtu.be/cVzUh_DiiEk?si=DFDkM2hezfJCZ9ur
Hayward Variable Speed Pump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IvElp1d5vc
Hayward / GoldLine AquaLogic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJypUuc4MwM&t=2s
Mechanical Controllers: These are the easiest – just turn off the red switch. If it stays on, the freeze guard is working (controlled by temperature dial).
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