Winterize a pool pump

How To Winterize A Pool Pump and Equipment

Winterize a pool pump

How To Winterize A Pool Pump And Equipment

In the south, if a winter freeze is about to hit and you don’t trust your freeze protection will do the job. We will show you how to winterize a pool pump and equipment to protect against freeze damage.

Pool Freeze Protection - What Is It?

We will discuss the detailed steps on how to winterize your pool a little farther down. But first, let’s discuss what the freeze protection program is and when is it appropriate to use. Unless you have a basic time clock to power your pool equipment, most pool control panels are equipped with a freeze protection program.

Once the temperature drops to around 36 degrees Fahrenheit, the program will automatically turn on all the equipment that is selected to turn on under its programing. It will run continuously while the temperature is below the 36 degree mark. When the temperature warms up above 36 degrees, the equipment will go into “Automatic Mode” and run whatever is programmed to run for the day.

How To Check Freeze Protection Settings

In this example we are using the Pentair EasyTouch pool control panel. We will walk you through the steps to insure your equipment is set to run under the systems “Freeze Protection” program.

Penair easy touch menu buttonTo start, from the panel you would hit the “Menu” button.

Next, using the up arrows, you will scroll to “Settings”.

Pentair easy touch select settingsNow that your cursor is on “Settings”, push the “Select” button.

Pentair easy touch arrow down to circuit functionsNext, down arrow to the “Circuit Functions”.

Pentair easy touch select circuit functionsHit the “Select” button to open “Circuit Functions”.

Pentair easy touch arrow up to master poolNow use the “Up Arrow” to find the “Master Pool” which should represent your main filter pump. Make sure that the “Freeze” toggle says “Yes”.

Pentair easy touch spa settingIMPORTANT! Make sure your “Master Spa” is turned to “No” meaning off for freeze protection. If this was on, it would cause mishaps in your automation funtions.

Lastly, make sure you go through and make sure every pump is turned on to run under “Freeze Protection”. NOTE: The heater does not need to run under freeze protect, you can leave it off.

Reasons To Not Use Your Pools Freeze Protection

Though your freeze protection program is a very important tool against protecting your pool pumps and equipment from freeze damage. Here are a couple reasons to not rely on it and winterize instead.

  1. If your pool or home is prone to power outages. Your pool equipment could suffer severe damage in a freeze event if there isn’t any electricity to power the pumps to keep the water moving. The water freezing the pools above ground piping, pumps, filters and heaters could be an expensive mishap.
  2.  If you have a home backup generator, but you are not sure it supports the pool equipment. There have been many pool owners thinking all would be well with the their pool equipment during a freeze. Come to find out, the backup generator was not figured to include the pool equipment and the pool was left off.
  3. If there will be a freeze event that will last for many days. It is much easier to winterize and then restart the pool equipment after the event is over. 
  4. If you are planning to be gone for a period of days during a freeze event. Learn how to winterize your pool pump and other equipment to prevent any surprises when you return home.

How To Winterize Pool Equipment

If you have made the decision to winterize your pool pump, pool filter and pool heater, but not exactly sure what to do? We will show you how step by step.

  1. First thing you will want to do is open all your valves to allow water to flow back to the pool.
  2. Next, if you have any valves that are actuated, you will want to toggle the switch to move them into an open position. Once you have done this, move the toggle switch to the middle setting or the “off” setting. This will ensure that the automated valve will remain open.
  3. Put the pool in service mode, then flipp the breakers off. This will turn all power off to the equipment preventing anything accidentally coming on while the equipment is drained of water.
  4. Next remove the pump lid and turn it upside down and set back on the pump basket. Now remove the drain plugs on the bottom lower side of any pumps. These plugs will simply unscrew, then you can place them in the upside down lid for safe keeping.
  5. If you have a booster pump, there should be a single drain plug located at the bottom of the pumps face. This should be just under the suction side hose of the pump.
  6. Find the drain plug on your filter and remove it. Once removed, open up the pressure relief valve on the filters top to allow the water to easily flow out of the pool filter.
  7. Next is the pool heater. There is a single plug on the heaters manifold. The manifold is the area where the inlet and outlet water supply pipes attach to the heater. The plug will look the same as those removed from all the other equipment.

Equipment Located Below Pools Elevation

One final note to be mindful of when draining your pool pumps and equipment. If your equipment is located below the elevation of your pool, then your pool will continue to empty until it has level off with your pool. This would be the same if you have a raised spa in your pool. The spa will continue to drain down until it has leveled with the pool. 

So in some cases this could mean you could lose a foot or more of pool water while winterizing your pool. But this is needed to do to ensure most of the water is out of your pools above ground pipes and equipment. In most cases, any pipe with water in them below ground will not freeze.

If You Need Pool Service In The Woodlands Texas

If you are located in The Woodlands Texas or surrounding areas and need help winterizing your pool, we can help. Our repair service team can drain the water from your pools plumbing and pool equipment. We can also check to see if your systems freeze protection program is configured correctly to help protect your equipment.

Call us today or fill out our contact form and we will be in touch.