First of all, you do not have to enclose your pool equipment (pump, filter, heater). A lot of people camouflage it with landscaping or a small fence, so that is not visible. Pool equipment is designed to be outdoors. As long it is taken care of and properly winterized at time of pool closing, it need not be covered.
Pool pump and rain
You should keep the pump dry and out of the rain. Rain that is allowed to fall on the pump can get into the motor and cause a short circuit, burning out the motor in the process. Cover the pump and never allow water to fall on it from above.
Is It Safe To Run The pool Pump With The Pool Cover On? It is safe to run the pool pump and filter with a swimming pool cover on. The pool cover doesn't in any way stop or hinder the pool pump from circulating the water or carrying out its function.
Yes. The best way to remove ice and water from the swimming pool cover is to use a cover pump. Either before the water freezes or when the ice melts use the pump to remove the ice/water from the cover.
Keep it on a low shelf so it won't fall or roll. If you keep your motor outdoors all winter, you could build a 'lean-to' with lumber or plastic for snow, rain and tree branches, but keep good air flow around the motor, and don't wrap it in plastic, which traps moisture inside the motor.
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. Booster pumps for pool cleaners don't need to run continuously.
Protect the pump motor from water damage
In addition to removing circuit breakers, consider moving the motor indoors or covering it with a waterproof material to prevent water from getting inside.
It is entirely safe to run your pool pump when it's raining – most of the time. Running your pool pump during rain should not affect the pumps' ability to do the job it was designed to do.
Protecting The Pool Pump from The Damage That Sun Exposure Can Do. The plastic and rubber components of your pool pump can be quickly damaged by exposure to direct sun. In fact, exposure to direct sunlight over just one summer can reduce the life of your pool pump equipment by as much as 15-20%.
So if you have to leave it running for a week it shouldn't make a big dent in the electric bill. Having to spend the money on getting the pool back in shape will probably cost more than leaving it on anyway. I would make sure you fill the pool water as high as you can though since you will be gone for a week.
Depending on the size of your pool, we still recommend you run your pump run at least 4-6 hours a day during the fall and winter months. The daily cycle can be divided into multiple cycles, but each cycle should be no shorter than 4 hours, for all the water to pass through the filter at least once.
After Shocking Your Pool
It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours. It is always best to test first!
After it rains, you should remove standing water as soon as possible. To do this, you'll want to use a siphon or a water pump. An automatic pool cover pump is one of the most useful pool supplies in New Haven County, CT because it can remove standing water from your cover without you needing to do the work.
Answer: It should not matter much. It could help to filter debris and contaminants the rain washes into the pool. However, lightning can be a concern with the filter running.
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. The same is true for inground pool equipment that is not running when temperatures are below freezing.
Chlorinated and non-chlorinated pools freeze at the same temperature. However, salt water pools will freeze at a slightly lower temperature. It should also be noted that above-ground pools will generally freeze at a higher temperature than inground pools.
While covered throughout winter, water is sure to build up on the pool cover. This is when a cover pump is essential to keeping water off the cover. Automatic pumps can be left on the cover. But Aqua Pools recommends removing the pump, including the hose, and bringing it inside during freezing weather.
If you store your filter in a shed or a detached Garage make sure you cover your filter and keep it away from chlorine or any corrosive chemicals that off gas. Sand filters should be left outside.
A simple canvas cover or tarp with tie-down straps can be used to cover the filter, but should be removed prior to the commissioning of your swimming pool or, at minimum, the startup of the filter. A properly winterized filter shouldn't crack.
BUT, if you have to shock your pool during the day in broad daylight, you can still swim after adding shock. It's recommended that you wait one hour after adding shock with the filter running, and then test the water to confirm the pH and chlorine are in the proper range before letting anyone enter the pool.
Chlorine issues often cause cloudy water. Adding a recommended dose of pool shock to your pool can clear it right up. Poor circulation or filtration can contribute to cloudy water. Make sure your pump and filter are working properly.
Before getting in
Don't swim or let others swim if sick with diarrhea. Shower for at least 1 minute before you get into the water to remove dirt or anything else on your body.
Running the pump at night should only be when you are doing a major chemical treatment such as algae clean-up. Your pool is more vulnerable during the day, plants don't grow at night the way they do during the day–that's true of ALL plants including Algae.