Protecting pools when temps drop

Concerned about how your pool will survive an arctic blast or a heavy snowfall? Whether or not you closed or “winterized” your pool, there are some things you can do to minimize the ill-effects of winter woes.

IF YOU WINTERIZED: most pool pros (including NWA Pool & Spa) go to great lengths to remove water from your system when the pool is closed. Your lines were blown with air and plugged; your equipment was drained. Your equipment should be protected. BUT you should make sure that the water level is more than 18″ below the deck; show and ice can become very heavy and stretch the cover. If the water is too low to support that weight, the cover can tear.

Alternatively, if you have a gunite pool, it’s ideal to keep the water level below the tile line so that moisture doesn’t freeze behind the tiles and cause them to break or pop off. We also advise that there’s at least a few inches of water on steps, seats, or any other horizontal surface of gunite. A thin layer of water can turn to ice more easily, which can cause cracking or pitting of the gunite.

IF YOU DIDN’T WINTERIZE: keep that pump running 24/7! Moving water is less likely to freeze than still water, though you should turn off any waterfalls or features. Angle your returns up towards the surface, because water freezes from the surface down. Turn your heater on, if you have one, to keep the water above 32 degrees. For sustained, extremely cold temps, you may wish to take extra precautions by wrapping exposed PVC plumbing with towels or similar insulation, or tenting the equipment area with a tarp or other covering, making sure that you give the pump and motor plenty of airspace.