During a freeze, it is critical to keep water moving through the plumbing to prevent freezing damage. This is the same concept as ‘dripping’ your faucets – moving water can’t freeze! Monitoring the weather forecast is important so you know when to prepare and take action before temps drop. With the BLACK+DECKER series of pool pumps, there are two approaches we can take to do this.
Option 1: Manual Override
By setting the pump to ‘manual’ mode, and then selecting a low/medium speed such as 1500 RPM’s to operate the pump at, this will have the pump run 24/7 until somebody changes it back in to schedule mode. Keeping the pumps run continuously is a key way to manage freeze protection during low temps and helps prevent equipment from being damaged. You can set this in the evening on a freezing night and change it back to schedule mode the next day, or during an extended freezing period, you can leave it on this manual mode 24/7 until the weather warms back up.
Option 2: 24 Hour Schedule
The second approach, and the one I’d recommend if you may not be in town during the freeze, is to change the pump to operate on a 24 hour schedule. You can do this by changing the DURATION setting of speed 4 to cover the time at night that the pump would normally be off. If you are running the default programming schedule of the BLACK+DECKER Variable Speed Pump, this would mean changing the DURATION of SPEED4 from 4 hours to 10 hours - this is adding 6 hours which covers the normal ‘off’ time of 2AM to 8AM each morning. This process helps manage the system during an extended period of freezing weather and ensures your pool systems are protected.
In a worst-case scenario, you may lose power during a freeze. If this happens, or you’re worried it may happen, then we need to ‘winterize’ the pool equipment by evacuating ALL water from the above-ground portions of your pool equipment. The under-ground plumbing should be fine if you’re in a city that doesn’t typically winterize your pools every year. If you have lost power, you should wait for ice to melt before restarting equipment, and if you are concerned about equipment safety, seeking professional assistance or advice is recommended.
To winterize the pool equipment for a freeze:
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Shut off the breakers that supply any and all pool pumps and equipment, we do not want the equipment to turn itself back on before we’re ready for it to do so! Equipment should only be turned back on after all water is drained and the system is ready.
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Open all valves fully so that no pipes are partially blocked off.
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Take a picture BEFORE you change any valve settings so you have a reference when restoring everything!
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For ‘diverter’/Jandy valves, this means putting the valve on a middle position where the ‘off’ setting is not fully aligned with any single pipe.
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Remove any and all drain plugs from all of your equipment.
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Keep in mind that pool pumps always have two drain plugs, as do most heaters.
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Your pumps, filter, heater, secondary pumps, multiport valves, and some chlorinators all have drain plugs. Things like salt cells can be removed entirely from the plumbing and stored in the garage once fully dry.
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The most convenient option to keep track of the drain plugs is to put them all in your pump basket! That way they’re all together in one convenient spot once you’re ready to restart everything.
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It’s good to take a quick note of where each drain plug is removed from, this will help you get everything back into the correct spot once things thaw back out. If you are unsure about the process or if any equipment appears damaged, it is suggested to have your pool system assessed by a professional.
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Drain all water out of all the equipment. All equipment should be fully drained to prevent it from being damaged by freezing water.
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In a freeze, it’s not the cold that causes damage, it’s the water turning to ice! We want to get all of the water out so there’s nothing left to freeze and expand into ice.
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Filters can have their air bleeder opened to facilitate quicker draining of the system. Make sure all water is drained from devices such as pumps, filters, and heaters to avoid freeze damage.
With the water removed from all the above-ground plumbing and equipment, you should be able to ‘weather’ even an extended freeze! Once the world warms up and your power is reliably restored to your home, it’s a simple matter of reinstalling all of the drain plugs, returning the valves to their standard position, and then re-priming the pump like you’ve probably a hundred times before! Professional service for ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting is valuable, and searching for helpful information or advice online can also be beneficial.
The Importance of Air Temperature Monitoring
Keeping a close eye on air temperature is one of the most effective ways to protect your pool equipment during cold weather. As temperatures drop, the risk of freezing pipes and equipment increases dramatically, and even a short period of freezing temperatures can cause significant damage. In most cases, pool equipment is designed to operate within a certain temperature range, so when the air temperature dips below freezing, it’s time for pool owners to take action.
By monitoring air temperature, you can stay ahead of sudden temperature drops and take steps to prevent freezing before it happens. Many modern pools are equipped with freeze protection devices that automatically turn on the pump when the air temperature gets too low, keeping water moving and reducing the risk of freezing solid. If your system doesn’t have this feature, consider installing one or set reminders to manually run your pumps during cold snaps.
It’s also important to plan for power outages, which can leave your pool equipment vulnerable if the pumps stop running. If you lose power during a freeze, act quickly to remove drain plugs and insulate exposed equipment to prevent damage. Covering your equipment with insulation or blankets can provide an extra layer of protection against the cold.
Don’t forget about the impact of snow and ice. Accumulated snow, sleet, or ice on your pool equipment can block airflow, add weight, and disrupt normal operation. Regularly clear away debris and snow from around your pool and equipment pad to maintain proper function and reduce the risk of damage.
For saltwater pools, maintaining your salt cell is also important during winter. Keeping the cell clean and dry when not in use can help prevent corrosion and extend its lifespan.
By staying alert to changes in air temperature and following these helpful tips, you can prevent freezing, protect your pool equipment, and avoid costly repairs. With a little planning and the right precautions, your pool will be ready to enjoy no matter how low the temperatures drop.
