01/08/2018
What do I do to protect my pool pump and pool plumbing when it freezes?
It’s that time of year! I know we live in Houston and it is astonishing to see the temperatures dip below 35°F, but we’ve been getting this question a lot!
So, no, you do not need to insulate/wrap your pipes!!!! As long as you keep your pump running during freezing temperatures, you’ll be fine. We recommend running them at 37°F or below as this is the default setting on most automation systems from the manufacturer.
So how do you make sure that your pump is running constantly, and your timer isn’t turning the pump off as part of the normal run schedule?
Ok, so there are two possibilities for 98% of the pool systems out there.
1. You have a basic mechanical Intermatic timer(s) that controls your pump(s) and turns ON when the ON tripper rotates to the bottom position and turns OFF when the OFF tripper rotates to the bottom position. REMOVE THE OFF TRIPPER AND MANUALLY TURN THE TIMER ON BY SLIDING THE LEVER TO THE RIGHT. This means the timer will stay in the ON position until you manually turn it off or until you put the OFF tripper back on the Intermatic timer dial.
2. You have an automation system! Congratulations! This means you shouldn’t have to do anything! Ok, well, one caveat to that. ***As long as whomever installed your automation programmed it correctly***. This is one of the major benefits to having an automation system. Built in freeze protect. When the system is set up, the technician will set up at what temperature freeze protect will kick on, and what equipment will turn on as a result. THAT BRINGS UP ANOTHER GOOD QUESTION! WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE RUNNING AND WHAT SHOULDN’T BE RUNNING?
So, for both of the above options, what is the answer to what equipment should be running????
Anything that has water running through it needs to be turned on. No, you don’t need to run your air blower. No, you don’t need the lights to come on. YES, the auxiliary pump(s) should be on! HOW ABOUT THE CLEANER BOOSTER PUMP? So, the main filter pump pushes water through the booster pump, but sometimes there can be an air gap in front of the booster pump and only when the booster pump turns on will it actually pull/push water through the line to the cleaner. For this reason, we do recommend running the cleaner booster pump. Better safe than sorry!