How to protect your pool during freezing temperatures
- Category:
- Pool •
- Pool Maintenance •
When temperatures plummet, it is important to safeguard your pool against freezing conditions. Protecting your pool during the cold months can prevent damage and ensure a smooth reopening when warmer weather returns. In this guide, we highlight the key steps for securing your pool to minimize the harsh effects of freezing temperatures.
Key Steps for Protecting Your Pool During Freezing Temperatures
Close Your Pool and Prepare for Freezing Weather: Properly winterizing your pool is the first line of defense against freezing temperatures. Effective winterization involves covering your pool, draining water from all pipes and equipment, and adding winterizing chemicals to prevent damage.
Keep Your Pool Pump Running: Continuous circulation is crucial for preventing stagnant water and ice formation during freezing weather, so keep your pool pump running. Even in milder climates where pools are not winterized, it is important to keep your pool pump running.
Check the Water Levels: Regularly monitoring your pool's water levels, especially during freezing temperatures, to maintain proper water levels helps prevent stress on your pool's structure and equipment, reducing the risk of damage.
Clean Your Skimmers: Clear debris from your skimmers to ensure unobstructed water flow and prevent blockages. Clean skimmers help maintain efficient filtration, which is essential for keeping your pool water clean and healthy throughout the colder months.
Check Your Equipment: Regularly inspect your pool equipment, including filters, heaters, and pumps, for signs of damage or malfunction. Promptly address any issues to prevent further damage and ensure optimal performance during freezing temperatures.
What to Do If You Lose Power: In the event of a power outage during freezing weather, take precautions to protect your pool and equipment from potential damage. If possible, cover your pool to minimize exposure to the elements. Consider using a backup power source for essential equipment such as heaters and circulation pumps. If you cannot cover your pool or use a backup power source, you may need to drain the water from any exposed plumbing and equipment until temperatures rise above freezing.
Product Recommendations
HTH™ Pool Care Kit: Pool Opening & Closing Kit
Want more?
If you have additional pool water care or product questions, we’re always here to help. Follow HTH™ Pool Care on social, reach out via our Chat feature or find a store near you.
Our Pool Opening page also has great into to make sure the start of the season goes swimmingly. You’re all clear with HTH®!
Need more help?
Call us
Prefer to call us? We've got someone standing by daily from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday
(866)-HTH-POOL