The pool fountain is always in question when winter arrives. Pool owners wonder if it is right to keep the pool fountain running during the winter. When the temperature begins to drop, you have two options: leave it running or turn it off when the pool surface is freezing, but if you can run your fountain 24/7, then you can leave it going.
Types of Outdoor Fountains
There are different types of outdoor fountains, such as
- Those forged from cast stone. These types are durable and have solid colors and a natural-cut stone finish.
- These Types can come from materials like ceramic or rock. They are less expensive and durable.
- Other types are made from stainless steel, natural stone, fiberglass, and copper.
Generally, outdoor fountains are like rock waterfalls with water flowing on the design. Some pool owners have the birdbath style because it bubbles water; another is a garden water fountain composed of rocks, urns, animal statues, and wells. Some pool owners prefer their fountains designed in exterior walls to resemble the sun, an animal head, a flower, or other objects of their choice.
Some of these fountains have in-build water pumps for consistent flow or bubbling. You Can use an electric outlet to keep them functioning, and you need to replace pumps with time.
Should I Keep my Pool Fountain Running?
If you have a fountain that uses a timer to switch it off each day, you’ll have to decide whether to leave it on or off. In essence, either you leave the timer for 247 or turn it off entirely until winter is over. A fountain that goes off at night during the winter season may experience a freeze in the motor areas preventing the shaft and propeller of the system from restarting the following day. It is best to turn it off entirely until the dropping temperature is over. After winter, the fountain can resume its normal function floating with ice which will eventually melt. The second choice is to leave the fountain going 247 in the consistent sub-freezing weather. The continued flow of the water will prevent freezing around the important moving parts. However you may still see ice around the fountain, but the following will stop it from causing any internal damage to the machine.
Well, there is a method many pool owners use during these bitter winter months to keep the fountain running without freezing. These pool owners use diffused aeration systems to support the fountain. The system constantly streams the air around. The machine is placed in the fountain to stream the water preventing it from freezing. The aeration system will keep the fountain going all winter and increase water quality.
However, if you don’t do any of the following, the fountain has a timer that protects it from overloading. The control stops it from working when the propeller and shaft are frozen. However, the process strains the fountain motor and could lead to costly issues. But you can manually reset the fountain or call a service professional.
Conclusion
It depends on the climate in your area and the type of pool fountain you have. If the temperature in your area is consistently below freezing, it’s generally recommended to turn off the fountain and winterize it to prevent damage from freezing water.
However, if the temperature in your area only occasionally drops below freezing, you may be able to run the fountain during the winter, but it’s important to monitor the temperature of the water and the fountain components to ensure they don’t freeze. In this case, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in place, such as turning off the fountain if the temperature drops too low.
If you have an electric fountain, it’s also important to consider the safety implications of running the fountain in colder weather, as wet or icy conditions can increase the risk of electrical shock.
It’s always best to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or seek the advice of a professional if you’re not sure whether it’s safe to run your pool fountain during the winter. Winterizing the fountain or shutting it off during the winter can help protect it from damage and ensure it’s ready for use in the spring.
For more information on pool maintenance and to schedule servicing your pool, contact us, we would love to assist in keeping your pool water clean.
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