Pool owners across the country are anticipating record-low temperatures this holiday season and all the potential dangers they could face. Pool owners should be concerned about the possibility of their pool freezing under such cold conditions. Over a million and half Americans are without electricity at the moment. Many areas are being affected by the ” historic snowstorm“.
Holiday plans cancelled – More than a million and a half without power
The Northeast and South have been the hardest affected. On Friday morning, 152 915 people in Virginia were without power, while 201,243 were in North Carolina and 182,637 in Tennessee. The whole country is monitoring Texas, the largest pool market in the country. Many lost power due to the deep freeze in 2021, which caused catastrophic damage to pools. Currently, Texas has 73,324 customers without power.
The powerful Arctic front continues its spread across the nation’s eastern third. The National Weather Service issued a travel advisory. Around 60% of the country is currently under some type of weather advisory as it prepares for a hard freeze.
The Pool Owners Go Wild with Hard Freeze
Many homeowners have been scrambling to prepare their pool after the news of a hard freeze during the holidays. According to the National Weather Service, a hard freeze occurs when temperatures remain at or below 28 degrees for an extended period of time. Temperatures in many parts of the country are expected to reach the teens and twenties on Saturday morning and Sunday morning.
The Times
How hard freezing can cause swimming pool damage
It can cause serious damage to equipment and water in a swimming pool. The pool’s components can be put under a lot of pressure by the expansion of frozen water. Equipment can be damaged by freezing temperatures, including pipes, filters and pumps. These components can crack or break under pressure, which can lead to costly repairs.
Damage to the plumbing is one of the most common problems when a swimming pool freezes. The pipes that transport water from the pool’s filter system and pump are especially vulnerable to freezing. These pipes can freeze, then thaw, and can cause serious water damage.
Damage to the pool’s filters could also be a problem. The filter removes contaminants and other debris from the pool’s water. It can be hard to clean the pool if it is damaged.
Posted by Antler Pools & Patios, Thursday, December 22, 2022
The pump can also be damaged by freezing temperatures. The pool’s pump is responsible for the circulation of water and equipment. It can be difficult for the water to circulate properly if the pump is damaged.
These problems are not the only ones. Frost can also cause damage to the pool’s liners or even rupture. This could lead to costly repairs. The pool’s liner is an essential component. It holds the water in place.
Power outages can cause serious damage to pools
Pool owners can be affected by power outages during a freeze. They can cause problems with the operation of pool heaters or filtration systems. Power outages can also prevent pool owners from using electricity. It is difficult for pool owners to stop their pools freezing if they are without power.
There are several practical steps you can take to reduce or prevent freeze damage to your pool equipment. Hayward, the manufacturer of pool equipment, has shared the following advice with owners.
Pool Freeze Protection Tips
Original content published in: Swimming Pool Protection Tips for Freezing Weather
Use Your Pump Below Freezing
It is vital that pumps are turned on when temperatures drop below freezing. A controller should be able to turn on the pump(s), and then rotate between spa and pool modes on its own. You will have to manage the entire process if you don’t have a controller.
Cold Weather and Power are on
You can keep your pool equipment running 24/7 if you have power and your home is not being disrupted by outages.
For assistance if your power goes out or your home is affected by outages, please read the following or contact your local pool professional:
Cold Weather but Lost Power
If you lose power and temperatures drop below freezing
- All pool equipment breakers must be turned off. You must turn off all pool equipment breakers, even if the power is out.
- Remove the drain plug at the bottom of your filter by opening the air relief.
- Let the inline chlorineator drain.
- Turn off auto-fill, and ensure that the feed line has been wrapped.
- To remove water from the pipe, open the salt cell.
- To prevent check valves from cracking, remove the covers.
- If possible, unplug the system and take out the salt chlorine generator cells. If not, you can open the salt cell to get rid of any water in the pipe.
Allow the Ice to Melt Naturally
Do not turn on the power if ice has formed. Allow any ice to melt naturally. This will prevent any damage to the equipment after power has been restored.
Items Reinstalled
After the ice has melted completely, you can reinstall the drains or salt chlorine generator cells. Turn on the power supply to your pool equipment.
Expert Help
Remember that you can always turn to your Hayward pool professional for assistance. For assistance, contact a licensed pool professional
The Pool Industry is ready for a hard freeze
Is it hard freezing? It sure looks like it. The pool industry professionals have been taking steps to prepare the deep freeze by Winterizing Pools and making sure that equipment and pipes remain protected from the cold.
Texas is the focus of attention, as it has a tendency for sudden freezing temperatures to strike but does not winterize its inground swimming pools. A sustained freeze and mass power outages caused much of the damage that we saw in 2021 during Uri. The pool professionals want to prevent a repeat of the same fate.
It is crucial to take care of a frozen pool to prevent damage to the equipment and the structure. It is better to let the water thaw naturally than to try to force it to freeze. Contact a pool contractor immediately if you see any damage to pipes, cracked equipment, or structural damage to your pool.
The situation is worsening! The water level is dropping in the pool. A frozen pipe is used to add water to your pool.
Published by
Joanne Pisano Di Bella
On
Friday, December 23, 2022
It’s not unusual for equipment and pipes to become damaged by a deep freeze. Many people have started posting photos to social media to show how the damage was done and to educate others about the importance and benefits of winterizing their pool. It is crucial to winterize your pool to avoid any damage.
Featured photo credit: Facebook / Kathy Ott Prior
The post Pool Owners Prepare for Hard Freeze This Holiday Weekend appeared originally on PoolMagazine.com. Get the Latest Pool News.
