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.
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.
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.
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.
At what temperature does a pool freeze? 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.
Information varies on how cold it has to be for pipes to freeze, but the freezing temperature of water is 32 degrees. So, theoretically, your pipes could freeze at any temperature lower than that. But for your pipes to literally freeze overnight, the temperature would probably have to drop to at least 20 degrees.
Pool pipes that are located above-ground can crack if the pump is not kept running when temperatures reach below 32°. If PVC pipes freeze, the ice will expand and can crack pipes, pumps, valves, filters, and heaters.
Since the pool skimmer is made out of thin PVC, it is at risk of cracking if ice forms in the frigid winter months. To protect your skimmer from cracking if the pool freezes, use a Gizzmo, Skimmer Guard, or skimmer bottle to absorb pressure from expanding ice if you don't plan to keep your pool open and heated.
Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase.
As a general rule, the “temperature alert threshold” for freezing pipes is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you have central heating and you are away in cold weather, leave the heating on continuously with the thermostat set to low to stop your pipes freezing.
According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth. They're clear that having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money.
The Energy Saving Trust also recommends leaving the heating on to some degree during winter even if you're away from home, to prevent frozen pipes which can cause hundreds of pounds of damage.
how to keep energy costs down all year round as summer is the time consumers forget about their heating system. The experts advise, 'Switching heating on intermittently and getting a boiler service during summer months can ensure there are no sudden costs or problems in winter when customers need their heating most. '
You might be tempted to wait for the pipes to thaw out by themselves. But keep in mind: Depending on the weather, the process can take days. Pipes typically don't freeze until the temperature dips to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
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.
It's not that a small flow of water prevents freezing; this helps, but water can freeze even with a slow flow. A dripping faucet wastes some water, so only pipes vulnerable to freezing (ones that run through an unheated or unprotected space) should be left with the water flowing.
You may be wondering what temperature you should drip the faucets at. Contrary to popular belief, both cold water and hot water pipes are highly susceptible to freezing. Cold water pipes need to be dripped, but so do the hot water pipes.
This apparent quirk of nature is the "Mpemba effect," named after the Tanzanian high school student, Erasto Mpemba, who first observed it in 1963. The Mpemba effect occurs when two bodies of water with different temperatures are exposed to the same subzero surroundings and the hotter water freezes first.
As a general rule, temperatures outside must drop to at least 20 degrees or lower to cause pipes to freeze. In northern climates, where the temperatures regularly fall below freezing, modern homes tend to be well insulated and water pipes are located on the inner parts of the house for extra protection.
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.
Never pour hot water on frozen plumbing or try to thaw pipes with a blowtorch. The hot water usually freezes on the outside of the pipe, and the torch can cause frozen pipes to explode if steam is produced. Also, do not strike pipes in an attempt to break up the ice, as hammer blows can cause pipes to crack.