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.
Running the pool pump will slow down the rate at which the pool water and pipes will freeze. 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.
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.
The size of your pool, the efficiency of your pump and filter, and how dirty your pool is are just some of the factors you need to consider. Nevertheless, most pool cleaning professionals would advise against running a pool pump for more than 8 hours a day.
Pool Winterization
Pool Antifreeze can be poured or funneled into pipes that contain water. Complete winterizing involves blowing the water out of the equipment and pipes and then plugging the pipes at the pool, to keep water out.
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.
Water in underground pipes won't freeze right away, it takes several days of below freezing temps before the soil freezes. I've been told that the frost goes into the ground about an inch per day, when temps remain below 32°, day and night, for long periods of time.
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 answer is — it's not necessary if you properly blew out the lines. That task gets water out of the pipes so they don't freeze during winter. But if you properly winterized your pool, there should be no need to add antifreeze.
We suggest you kill the power to the equipment so it does not immediately come back on when the power returns, and cover the pool equipment with tarps and blankets. This can help protect your equipment and plumbing from freezing.
The minimum temperature to keep pipes from freezing is 55° F. However, between 60° F and 68° F is a safer range. This way the air around your pipes is warm enough to keep them from freezing. If you live in a warmer climate, you should keep your above 68° because your pipes are not insulated against the freezing cold.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing. Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night.
To keep exterior pipes from freezing, protect them with polyethylene pipe insulation and duct tape. In your home, turn the heat on until the weather warms up and keep your cabinet doors open underneath your sink. Leave your sinks on so that a thin trickle of water comes out and keeps the pipes from freezing.
It may be cheaper to run the pump at night, but honestly you should run it 1 hour a day per 10 degrees of temperature at least, and it should be during the day. Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up.
To prevent potentially dangerous electrical issues, it's imperative that you turn off the power to your pool equipment — such as pumps, motors, filters, heaters, chlorinators, and lighting fixtures. Even if you turn off the power to your pool equipment, it can still be damaged by wind, rain, and debris.
Chemicals that you add to your pool while the water is circulating don't need to be recirculated; they will stay mixed even if you don't pump the water continually. Although it's generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time.
ANSWER: Pool antifreeze won't harm the pool if it gets in the water because it is non-toxic or dangerous to pets or people. It may, however, make your pets sick if they drink the water. Again, never use automotive antifreeze because it IS harmful to swimmers, human and canine.
Swimming pool antifreeze, also called non-toxic antifreeze, is the same stuff that RV owners can use in their motor home water systems. For swimming pool use, it can protect swimming pool pipes down to -40°, when added in correct proportion. Here's some Q&A regarding the use of pool plumbing antifreeze.
Use a space heater, heat lamp, or hair dryer to thaw the frozen length of pipe. Wrapping freezing pipes with thermostatically controlled heat tape (from $25 to $61, depending on length) is also an effective way to quickly thaw a trouble spot. Don't thaw pipes using a propane torch, which presents a fire risk.