Yes, they can freeze solid. If temperatures reach below zero, swimming pools that are not circulating can freeze solid within a few days. If those low temperatures continue for several days, the ice sheet can increase in thickness by up to ¼” per day.
If your area is subject to frequent hard freezes, properly winterize your pool equipment and piping then cover the pool. In milder climates, keep your pump running as you normally would to keep the pool water from freezing.
When the outdoor air temperature reaches 32 degrees or lower, costly freeze damage can occur. These steps should be followed to help prevent any damage to your pool and/or equipment.
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.
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.
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.
Your Pool Could Crack
Surface cracks are very common in pools that don't get winterized. Harsh conditions can lead to cracks as well as any water that is left inside the pool. That water will likely freeze and could lead to surface cracks.
If you want to winterize your Intex pool without breaking it down, you can. Just remember how susceptible they are to ice damage, and consider whether you want to run the risk of ruining your pool for the sake of skipping the chore of closing it.
Pool water and pipes will eventually freeze regardless of if the water is moving or not if the temperature drops below 32°F (0°C. The time it takes to freeze depends on temperature, if the pipes are insulated and if they are underground or above ground. What is this?
Swimming pools that are not circulating can freeze solid from wall to wall within a few days below zero. The solid ice sheet can increase in thickness by up to 1/4″ per day, when temperatures remain below zero for several days.
An Ice Filled Pool
When the water freezes in the pool, the expansion puts the pressure outward on the pool wall. When there is an air pillow in the water, the pressure is instead focused on the pillow, instead of the pool wall. Winter Damage On Above Ground Pools can happen without proper preparation.
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.
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.
Most homeowners will spend between $125 and $375 to have their pool winterized by a professional. The national average reported cost is $232. The minimum cost a homeowner paid was $50 while the maximum reported cost was $700.
Once water is removed (and subsequently, the interior hydrostatic pressure), if there's an influx of groundwater, it will push the pool up and out of place. As a general rule, you shouldn't keep any pool empty for longer than it needs to be. Get the work done that you needed to do and refill it as soon as possible.
Resale Value
A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.
Pipes can freeze at 32 degrees or below, but it will take a sustained period of time for this to happen. In other words, a pipe needs to be at freezing temperatures for at least half a day before homeowners have to worry about any freezing occurring.
The water level should be about a foot below the skimmer if you have a mesh cover, and about half a foot below the skimmer for solid covers. Depending on how you're removing the water from your pool, this process may take a day or two.
1. Begin Winterizing One Week Before Closing Your Pool. One week prior to closing your pool, add a phosphate remover to help keep algae out and prevent any potential algae blooms. We recommend waiting to close your pool until the water temperature is consistently below 65 degrees.