How to Keep Your Pool From Freezing
For those of us who live in warmer climates such as Arizona, swimming pools freezing over is not something that even crosses our mind. So, in the rare case that this should happen, we’re completely un prepared to deal with it. However, wisdom tells us anything can happen so it’s a good idea to have a little knowledge to help us in any happenstance.
To prevent your pool from freezing and therefore, prevent damage, the first thing you can do is change your timer to circulate your pool around the clock. Keep in mind that even if day time temps are above freezing, the ground and water is still cold and therefore your pool can still freeze.
Next, run your solar heater around the clock also and put your manual solar cover on. If you have a gas heater, it’s a good idea to run it too. You don’t have to run it constantly, just enough to keep the water warm.
If your pump is exposed to the elements (sun and wind) you may want to cover it in a heavy blanket and be sure to secure said blanket.
If you already have ice formations on the tile or pool surface, carefully break and remove them. Also clear the skimmers of ice. Skimmer door may be removed or weighed down to improve flow if needed.
Also, make sure as always, to maintain water level. Should the skimmers draw air, it’ll increase the risk of freeze damage to the equipment.
Lastly, turn directional returns towards the surface of the water to case surface movement and reduce the formation of ice.
Those are the basics to winterizing your pool and keeping it from freezing and becoming damaged in the event of an extreme Arizona winter.