Freeze Protection for Pool Equipment

freeze protection for pool equipment

Many pools will experience freezing temperatures during the winter months, even those in warmer states like in the sunbelt region. If the surface of your pool gets a minor freeze across the surface, there’s no immediate cause for concern. But if you have unwinterized pool equipment, and water freezes inside your pump, filter or heater — you can have an expensive freeze damage repair on your hands.

The easiest way to handle frozen pool equipment is to prevent it in the first place.

Preventing Pool Equipment Freeze

There are three ways to prevent pool equipment freeze damage:

  1. Winterize your pool equipment and plumbing.
  2. Keep pump(s) running with all valves open.
  3. Install freeze protection equipment.

Pool Winterization

A partial pool winterization can be done by draining the pump, filter, heater, and other above ground equipment. Remember to remove the drain plugs (before they freeze). Pour pool antifreeze into any pipes or hoses that contain water. Complete winterizing involves blowing the water out of the equipment and pipes, then plugging the pipes at the pool, to keep water out.

Keep Pool Pumps Running

check for freeze warnings

If you are in a normally mild climate, pay attention when the news reports a freeze warning, and then remove your timer clock off switch, to run the pump 24/7 until the weather warms up. As long as water moves through the pipes, it won’t freeze.

For colder climates, rather than running your pump nonstop until spring, set up an alert on your phone to notify you when temps drop below 37ºF.

Or, install the Freeze Warn V alert system to prompt you to turn on the pool pump. Set a temperature from 30ºF–70ºF, and when reached, the 360º light spins with a rotating flash visible for up to 1/2 a mile at night!

Install Freeze Protection Equipment

intermatic digital timeclock

Pool freeze protection works with a sensor that measures the outside air temperature and turns on the pool pump when the low temperature threshold is reached. More advanced pool controllers can also open closed valves, and turn on other pumps, like booster pumps or waterfall pumps.

A less expensive way to freeze protect your pool equipment and pipes is to use the Intermatic Digital Timeclock. With the accessory air temp sensor, you can program the clock to turn on the pump at any specific temperature.

Winter Power Failure

If the power fails during a winter snow storm, the pool pumps will shut off, unless you have a home generator to take over. If this happens to your un-winterized pool, unscrew the two drain plugs on your pump and heater, and the single filter drain plug. Open the filter air bleeder, and any closed pool line valves. Shut the power off the breaker, so the pump won’t turn on without water inside. When power is restored, replace the plugs, prime the pump, and start it up.

Frozen Pool Equipment

If you missed the chance to do any of these things above, and your pool equipment is frozen solid – here’s what to do.

  1. Shut off all power at the breaker.
  2. Place heavy woolen blankets over the equipment.
  3. Safely place a small space heater inside the ‘tent’.
  4. Monitor closely until thawed; inspect closely for cracks.
  5. If repair is needed, drain equipment until repaired.

If winter is coming your way, protect your pool and pool equipment against a freeze. Frozen pool equipment can lead to costly repairs and the inability to keep your pool clean and healthy. Stay ahead of trouble by following our quick and easy freeze protection tips!

33 thoughts on “Freeze Protection for Pool Equipment

  1. My freeze guard came on a long with pump and water feature. Once the freeze was over, the water feature stopped and so did pump. Our acqualink shows the filter and acqua accents on but they are not on. Is this normal?

  2. Rick Tisinger

    My pool freeze protection circuit kicked on at 33° F but it runs only intermittently. Is this normal? Shouldn’t it run continuously once the temp dips below freezing?

    • Hi Rick, that is my understanding yes – should run continuously until temp has been raised. Perhaps the sensor is faulty, or some settings is amiss. Normally they kick-on the pump at a higher temp, 33° is cutting it pretty close!

  3. Steve Fargis

    We are in Richmond, VA and moved into a home with an inground pool. The pool is about 10 years old with a Blue Haven control panel (no manual). I am currently am running it with a timer but I’ve noticed some mornings where its been colder, but not below freezing the pumpis running even though the tabs on the timer have not been pulled to run the pump. Is there a way to tell if there is some type of integrated freeze protection built into the control panel? Thanks!

    • Hi Steve, you would likely notice a temp sensor with a wire entering into the side of the panel. These are often set to turn on the pump between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The temp sensor is usually zip-tied to a pipe, or may also be found free-hanging alongside the control panel. The Blue Haven labeled panel is also likely made by an equipment manufacturer, and not Blue Haven, so you may be able to locate some reference to the make/model of the unit, and then do some searches online to find an owners manual or operation guide for the controller. Or, if you have a Variable Speed pump, some of the models have built-in freeze protection.

  4. I have a Pentair Intelliflo 2 VST pump, 420 Cartidge filter, UV system, and Pentair MasterTemp heater for my in-ground pool and spa. Installed in 2019. Do I need to wrap my pool pipes to prepare for cold weather? My system does have a temp/timer that will turn on the pump if the water temp gets too low.

    • Hi Chris, no need to wrap the pipes, as long as you have the freeze control activated. Just be sure that all valves are open, or even just cracked open slightly, so that water can move through all of the pipes and equipment. Be aware of the rare possibility for power outages during freezing storms. If that happens, remove the drain plugs on the pump, filter, heater, etc – to drain down the aboveground equipment, and shut off system breakers. afterwards, replace drain plugs and fill pump basket with water and turn system on again.

  5. […] the pump, remove both pump drain plugs (and filter plugs, heater plugs, chlorinator, etc.). With freeze protection for pool equipment, a pool controller or a digital timeclock can use a freeze sensor, which will turn on the pump […]

  6. What do you do if you lose power and your pool pad is several feet below (downhill) the water surface level?

    • Davy Merino

      Ooh – excellent question Greg! In such situations where the equipment is below water level (what some call ‘flooded suction’), or for aboveground pools, you can’t just pull out the plugs on the pump and filter, because the water will keep coming, until the pool drains down to the level of the system, or the wall fittings.

      The first thing that comes to mind is to plug all of the pool lines, at the pool. Use winter plugs to plug the skimmers, wall returns, vacuum lines, spa jets, etc. Everything but the main drain, close the valve tightly. Then pull the plugs on the pump and filter, heater, chlorinator, and let it drain down. Open the filter air bleeder, to let the skimmer and return pipes drain. For sand or DE filters, place the multiport handle in-between two positions, to lift the rotor, or for push-pull slide valves, pull up (or push down) to a mid-way position. Wrap a heavy blanket or insulation around the main drain pipe and valve.

      If you don’t have the plugs handy however, and have to act FAST to prevent freeze damage, then I would close all incoming and outgoing lines, and wrap the pipe and valves with heavy blankets, or insulation bats tightly, while draining the system (pump, filter, heater, etc.), as quickly as needed.

  7. Houston area: Pool pentair pump. Released air from pump to get pump restarted as is running well. Have separate pump to waterfall which is frozen. 38 degrees outside now. Should I try to allow for thaw a little longer and try to get it started again later today? We are expecting temps in 20s again tonight.

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Tess, yes thaw out the waterfall pump, remove the drain plugs and cover with heavy blankets or plastic if sunny. Refill and test the waterfall, inspect for leaks. If leaking or pump won’t start or something, drain it all again until repairs can be made. If it runs oK, then “whew!, keep it running at night, or whenever temps fall below 34 or so, there may be an app that will alert you…

      Update from Tess: Our Waterfall Pump basket thawed, pipe to basket clear. Restarted waterfall with no problem and will keep both pool and waterfall running through freeze. Am so relieved. Fingers crossed no cracks to house pipes or pool. Already had repairs done to outside house pipes last week during that freeze!

  8. Is it necessary to run my booster pump during freezing weather or does it have water flowing constantly? I know to run my other pump all the time during freezing temps.

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Mike, often it is not necessary, IF your cleaner is supplied with a constant stream of moving water – as many booster pumps are. If your cleaner is spraying a small amount of water out the tail, and thrust jet even when it’s off, then you’re probably OK to keep the booster pump off in freezing temps.

  9. Henry Regrel

    We were out of town. Our freeze protection kicked on here in Texas as it always does. I guess the temps were in the teens and low 20s for 2-3 days straight. Is it normal for a small top layer of the water in a pool to freeze despite having the freeze protection going. Thanks!!

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Henry, yes, that’s normal for pools to freeze over slightly on the surface, even though the pumps are running. Just maybe not in your area!

  10. Marc Scarborough

    I live in Tennessee and have always kept our pool open year round. We’ve never had an issue till today; the pool surface is mostly ice currently with the exception of the three areas in front of the jets. Is there anything to worry about, and what can I do to avoid any issues. (Other than ensuring the pump remains running)

    • Davy Merino

      Hi, Nothing to worry about, perfectly normal – and yeah, keep that pump running! And monitor that it stays running, bad time of year to burn out or develop a motor problem. Not to worry you… 🙂

  11. Davy,
    Nice blog, thanks. We’re here in NC with below freezing forecast for the next 4-5 days. Freeze protection kicked in several days ago, we have ice on the surface and ice cycles on the water feature. My question is, how long can these pumps safely run in freeze protection mode with temps staying below 32? 30k gal pool if that matters.

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Doug, I don’t think it will get cold enough (in the lower 48) to cause pump problems. Perhaps in Antarctica, some special heated motor may be needed, but not for these teens and twenties, you’ll be fine. Just make sure that the pump stays running! You can shut off for a few minutes for backwashing, etc, but it should be on schedule (or on freeze protection) for as long as it needs, or until temps rise above 35F-40F, whatever temperature the sensor is calibrated to…

  12. Tisa Johnson

    I’m in South Louisiana & north of the lake & we have had a few days of below freezing temperatures, I woke up this am & quickly realized the pump was off? Breaker tripped, I asked my pool guy about covering the pump & he said it would be colder tonight and I have covered with a box & then blankets, this is very unusual for Louisiana pools

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Tisa, very cold temps won’t trip a breaker, sometimes the pump will trip the breaker, if there is a loose wire, or one wire touching another, or a bad capacitor, or locked-up rotor, misaligned switches, insect infestation, lots of reasons i suppose, but if it’s running now fine, the pump is likely not the problem. Could have been a voltage irregularity, or if you had the pump off and water froze inside, and it tried to start but could not turn the shaft, this could trip the breaker. Keep the pumps running when temps are forecast to be freezing, all night and all day if necessary, they are built to run 24/7. You can cover with boxes or blankets, but no need to unless the pump is down, or you can’t start the pump, in 32 deg or lower. But if you want to cover it, be sure to give lots of air flow all around the pump motor, too much heat… could trip the breaker 🙂

  13. Theresa Brigman

    West Coast Central Florida, First time pool owner. So we have an Above Ground Pool ( 15x 30 )….we have a pool cover on and since November we run pump 1 hr(am), 1 hr(pm), daily. With temps in my area until like sunday
    , just below freezing , Is my pool SAFE?

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Theresa, when temps are 32° or below there is a danger to pump, filter and piping, as water expands 10% when it freezes into ice. Just keep the pumps running! As long as water is moving thru the pipes, it won’t freeze. Otherwise, plug the pool skimmer and return lines, all pool lines and disconnect and drain the pool equipment and pipes or hose.

  14. Installation of our first in-ground fiberglass pool was completed last month in the Burleson, Texas. We have a Hayward MaxFlow VS 500 pump. The current temp. is 25 degrees. The pumps freeze protection kicked in last night and appeared to run at that speed all day today. It has reduced speed itself at or near 4pm today. Is that reduction normal when temp is still below freezing?

    • Davy Merino

      Hi J.J. – cold now in Texas, yep! Well, nothing will freeze, even on low speed, as long as water is moving somewhat, it won’t freeze. It sounds normal, as long as the pump is still running. Shutting off completely would be … abnormal. thanks for the question!

  15. Sebastian Carpio

    I have an urgent issue! I live in Houston usully dont winterize my pool just run it when temps are freezing. There seems to be an issue with my 1 yr old system ( Pentair 4 cartridge filter and pentair variable speed pump. When i run the system somewhere im draining my pool. Anyway cant get service tech til 4Jan. So i cant run my pump unlessi consistantly keep filling pool. We are expecting a week of freezing weather all week. How can i winterize just the pump and filter system for the next few days so i can keep the system turned off.

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Sebastian, if you haven’t already, you can drain the pumps and filter by removing the drain plugs, 2 on each pump, and one on each filter. If you have a gas heater, there are drain plugs on both sides, on both Front and Rear Headers or manifolds. Chlorinators sometimes have drain plugs. Put multiport valves on Winterize, or raise the handle between two positions. Push pull valves should be placed halfway between filter/backwash. I would also run out and buy some RV antifreeze or Pool Antifreeze, and pour some into the skimmer, and open up any valves or unions on the equipment area, to pour in Antifreeze into the aboveground pipes and into the skimmer and return lines.

  16. Jean Betovich

    I am in the south of Louisiana. we have been having a freeze over the last 2 days and my pool is constantly running 24/7 due to the freeze mode. I am having to also run a hose in the pool 24/7 because the water keeps getting too low and the pool cannot circulate the water. Why does it need so much water in the pool? Is this normal?

    • Davy Merino

      Hi Jean; not normal to run a hose 24/7, your pool has a leak. Even on the hottest of summer days, evaporation is only 1/4″ per day or so – the most common leak areas are around the skimmer opening, specifically where the plastic skimmer meets the concrete pool wall, or on vinyl pools, around the gasketed faceplate. Pool lights can also leak thru the light conduit. Multiport valves can leak water out of the waste line if the spider gasket is twisted or scored. And also there could be cracks in the tile line, or cracks in the pipes, or leaking o-rings around the filter, pump seal – lots of other possible leak sources. See this post for finding and fixing Leaks on Open Pools, or this post for Leaks on Closed Pools

  17. My dog got ahold of our feeze sensor wire and destroyed it, making our pump/filter constantly unless we turn it off manually. We have no idea where the pup got the wire from in the yard. Can you give any suggestions on what to look for so we can repair the wiring/sensor? Is there a common place that people put these sensors or anything that would stand out to us as we are searching the yard. Thank you for your time.

    • A freeze control sensor wire is usually tan colored, and runs from the outdoor control box to a mounting on the PVC pipe. Follow the wire from the box, sometimes they are buried in the ground, but not always, and they are often strapped to the PVC pipe.

  18. […] Freeze sensors can be installed with an Intermatic digital timeclock, or pool system controllers, to turn the pump on if temperatures reach a set point. More about pool freeze protection. […]

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