“We expect people to be calling about broken PVC pipes, broken check valves and regular valves from the ice,” he said. “The valves, as long as the water is moving through, they're going to be fine. If water slows down enough or stops the valves will fill with ice and they'll burst and break.”
As we mentioned above, cold temperatures cause water to freeze and expand. It is a significant problem, especially with water still inside your pool pipes. Stored water freezes quickly and could cause pipes to burst. When you open the valves, it lets the water in the pipes to move and flow, preventing it from freezing.
Lower the water level to below the skimmer. Clear pipes and equipment of water using a blower or compressor and plug the pipes at the pool. Add swimming pool antifreeze to the lines to prevent freezing. Place a Gizzmo* (or similar device) in the skimmer to seal it and absorb pressure from ice.
There are more than 2 million miles of PVC pipe in service today, and rigid PVC pipe (Schedule 40) is the standard for pool plumbing pipe. Highly durable rigid PVC pipe is capable of a lifespan of over 75 years when properly installed.
How Deep Should Pool Plumbing Pipes be Buried? Your plumbing lines should be about 2 ft underground to protect them from surface soil slip and shift and from freezing temperatures.
It's important that pipes are buried deep so that they don't freeze. It is usually 3 to 3.5 ft deep.
If you have an above ground pool with the pool filter system and plumbing above ground (like nearly all above ground pools), pipes and pumps can freeze up in less than an hour of minus 32 degrees.
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.
Helpful tips to keep your pool and its equipment safe during freezing temperatures. Run your pool pump continuously when temperatures are near or below freezing. You don't need to run your heater, moving water likely will not freeze. Disconnect any aerators and lines to slides.
Look closely at the filter, pump, heater, and pipe valves, which is where leaks often tend to occur. If you have a vinyl pool liner, look for tears or separations around the fittings, lights, steps, and corners.
Evenly spread shaving cream over the possible leak points on the pump, as well as the plumbing. At the air leak, you will start to see the layer of foam dimple as it gets pulled into the system, revealing the location of the air leak. At this point, you know which parts need to be fixed or replaced.
If the water went down a similar amount in the pool as well as the bucket, then you lost water due to evaporation. If it went down more in the skimmer and not much at all in the bucket then you have a pool leaking.
Do Pipes Always Burst When They Freeze? Not all frozen pipes burst. However, thawing the ice can increase the risk, as it usually worsens the problem since it raises the pressure further. This is why pipe bursting is especially common at the end of winter when the ice starts to thaw.
If your pool lost water overnight and it is more than the quarter-inch due to evaporation, you probably have a leak. Evaporation accounts for a minor amount of water lost each day. Losing a half-inch or more overnight indicates a problem.
Pool Is Losing 1 Inch of Water Per Day
Losing more than ½” of pool water per day indicates you likely have a leak in your pool's structure or your pool pump system. You should call your pool service for a thorough leak inspection. You might not be able to keep up with refilling your pool at this point.
Yes, saltwater pools will still freeze if you leave them full during the winter. They don't have the salt levels of ocean water. The freezing point is slightly lower than a traditional pool, but you will still need to close or winterize your pool. Also, salt cells will not operate at temperatures below 50 degrees.
Depending on the size of your pool, we still recommend the pump run 8-10 hours per day during the hottest summer months and at least 6 hours per day during the winter months.
Without winterizing your pool, the water could turn green with algae. 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. Bacteria that feed on algae could even cause health risks.
We're putting this first because it's the most effective freeze damage prevention tip we can give you. Keeping your pool warm is the most effective way to avoid freeze damage, period. As long as you can keep your pool water moving, and at a constant temperature above the freezing point of 32 degrees, you're safe.
No! All pool types (in-ground, above ground, on-ground) need to keep water in the pool during winter, do not drain your pool to avoid the ice! In ground pools can pop out of the ground, and above ground pools can collapse inward, and the liner will shrink and discolor.
A sinkhole can occur whether you have an inground pool or an above-ground pool. A pool that is allowed to leak into the foundation underneath can lead to a very large, very dangerous sinkhole. In fact, leaking water is the main cause of a sinkhole. Sinkholes start developing a long time before they actually appear.
Main Drain: The main drain is typically located at the deepest point of the pool and is used to lower the water level, however its primary purpose is to circulate water from the bottom of the pool. It is recommended that about 1/3rd of the circulated water come from the main drain.
Main drains are not required in an inground swimming pool, however, they are strongly recommended and can be extremely useful in some circumstances. The advantages of main drains are to give you the ability to drain the water from your pool without the use of a sump pump. This is useful when replacing your pool liner.