Without winterizing your pool, the water could turn green with algae—or worse, bacteria called pink algae can grow. If the chlorine system stops functioning, you’ll say adieu to the beautiful blue pool you know and love. Come spring, your pool will be a homely sight and cause a real dent in your wallet.
What happens if a pool is not closed properly?
If lines are not blown out and plugged, water can freeze in those lines and crack. Water can also get behind the shell through cracked or missing expansion joints, tiles and coping. When this happens, tiles and coping can become loose, hollow and become cracked and/or fall off entirely.
Will my pool pump freeze?
If your pool equipment isn’t winterized, water can freeze inside of your pump, filter or heater damaging these components so it’s important to keep water flowing through your pool’s system the entire time the temperature is freezing. There are things you can do to prevent costly repairs and replacement: 1.
Do I need to winterize my pool in North Carolina?
Throughout much of North Carolina, we have little to no threat of extended-major ice formation due to our moderate winter temperatures. As such, most pools remain operational and we typically do not need to drain the filtration system of all water nor use any winterizing agents for the pool plumbing.
How long can you leave your pool open?
However, you can leave your pool open all year long, and enjoy it for as long as you want. What you need to know is that pool care and pool maintenance are different in the winter and you need to properly care for your pool, so that the plumbing system is not damaged.
At what temperature will pool pipes freeze?
How cold does it get in my state?
| State | Avg ° F | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 2.6 | 50 |
| Arizona | 43.6 | 10 |
| Arkansas | 41.5 | 12 |
| California | 46.2 | 8 |
Can I keep my pool open all winter?
Yes! You don’t have to close the pool, and you can keep it open year ’round, with or without a pool heater. Or for those in very cold climates, you could also consider a very late closing and early opening, winterizing and closing the pool for just 3 or 4 months, instead of the normal 6 or 7 months.
Is it OK that my pool is frozen?
If there is simply a thin sheet of ice across the surface of your pool, no worries. Mild climate pools often freeze across the surface overnight. However, if the ice sheet becomes thicker than ¼” to ½”, it will put pressure on your pool tile and skimmers as the ice expands.
How do I protect my pool pump in the winter?
Make certain the main pool pump is running continuously while the temperature is below freezing. You should have a freeze protection device that will automatically turn the pump on when the temperature drops to around 34 degrees.
Is it necessary to winterize a pool?
You will want to close your pool properly over the winter to prevent freezes from damaging expensive pool equipment. Surface freezes can also tear through vinyl liners as a result of ice expansion. A second reason to winterize your pool is because most people completely stop maintenance over the winter.
Can you winterize a pool and not cover it?
One question many people have when it comes to winterizing their pool is: Is it necessary to cover my pool in winter? The short answer is no, it’s not necessary. But it’s not necessary just like brushing your teeth is not necessary and you’ll survive if you don’t.
What is the best way to winterize your pool?
How to Winterize a Pool Before the Cold Hits
- Start by Cleaning the Pool.
- Test the Levels and Add Winter Chemicals.
- Shock the Pool and Lower the Water Levels.
- Clean the Filter and Blow out the Lines.
- Remove Your Pool Accessories and Cover the Pool.
What month should you close your pool?
September and October are a good time to close the pool because the weather is ideal. It’s still warm to be outside, enjoying the sun, even if you hate to say goodbye to summer. But once those temperatures start dropping significantly, you’re going to kick yourself for not closing the pool sooner.
How long can water sit in a pool untreated?
How long can pool water sit without chlorine? Forever. Now chlorine is a gas in the water and the sun removes that gas from the water by evaporation of the water surface, so a few days if there is no rain water added in which case less than 24 hours before algae starts to grow.
When should I close my pool for the winter?
65 degrees Fahrenheit
Plan on closing a pool for the winter once the temperature is regularly 65 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. You may not be using the pool at this point, but if you close it while temperatures are still warm, you risk allowing algae to grow in the closed pool, creating more work for yourself in the spring.
How long below freezing pool pipes freeze?
Pipe Damage
Above ground pumps and pipes will freeze in less than an hour if temperatures are below freezing. So again, one of the most important things to remember when closing your pool is to get all the water out of your pipes!
How long below freezing before pipes burst?
six consecutive hours
As a general rule of thumb, in order for your home’s water pipes to freeze, the outside temperature needs to be below 20 degrees, for a total of at least six consecutive hours.
How do I protect my pool pipes from freezing?
Insulate plumbing lines with blankets or towels to prevent freezing. Even pool noodles can serve as good insulation around pipes. Open all lines to ensure proper water flow. If a valve is shut off, no water will flow through that pipe, and there is the danger of freezing damage.
Should my pool loses water in the winter?
It is quite common for a pool to lose water over the winter. There are several reasons why a pool could lose hundreds of gallons of water gradually over the colder seasons. If the pool water continues to gradually decrease, the first and most common reason may be a small hole or tear in the pool liner.
What happens if inground pool overflows in winter?
Overflowing water can damage the pool wall structure by corroding and weakening the walls of the pool. The water can cause also cause decks to rot and patios to sink around the pool. Another concern from overflowing water is ice damage, which can cause: Cracked skimmers.
What does Winterizer do for a pool?
What is Winterizing a Pool? Different from closing a pool, winterizing your pool is the finale to the pool season. This means that your pool will not be used for several months, equipment is turned off, accessories are removed and the water is removed from lines and vessels.