6 Things Florida Pool Techs Wish Homeowners Knew Before the First Cold Front

Your pool pump isn’t the only equipment a Florida freeze can crack.

If you didn’t even know that, settle in for winter pool maintenance 101.

Here’s what pool techs wish you knew before that first cold front.

1. Built-In Freeze Modes

Pentair’s installation guide for its IntelliFlo variable-speed pump says not to depend on the pump’s Thermal Mode for freeze protection of the pool.

The feature isn’t intended to protect the system plumbing from freezing.

Run your filtering equipment all night in mild climates when temporary freezing conditions may occur.

Orlando station WFTV’s report on January’s freeze tells pool owners to run the pump continuously when temperatures drop to around 32°F or below.

Some pumps have an automatic sensor that circulates the water when temperatures fall to about 35 to 40 degrees.

Artesian Pools, an Orlando company, also tells you to check that your pool’s automatic freeze protection hasn’t been disabled.

Because Florida doesn’t see much freezing, some owners turn it off thinking they’ll never need it.

Don’t assume it’s on.

2. Secondary Pumps

Your main pool pump isn’t the only pump a freeze can reach.

Artesian Pools says any pump tied to your pool should run all night.

The Orlando station’s report counts fountains, waterfalls, pool cleaners and any feature on a secondary or booster pump.

Water sitting in a pipe can freeze, causing cracks that lead to burst pipes.

An Apopka pool store owner said PVC pipe will crack right where it goes into a valve, or the valve body itself can crack.

3. Heat Pump Cutoffs

Pool equipment maker Hayward’s FAQ lists 45°F to 50°F as the coldest temperature its heat pump works in.

The heat pump cuts off and displays the code LP when the temperature is lower than 50.

The U.S. Department of Energy says a heat pump that heats your pool works efficiently as long as the outside air stays above that range.

The cooler the air it draws in, the less efficient it gets, and your energy bills rise.

National Weather Service records put the average date of the first low below 50°F at Nov. 10 in Tampa and Nov. 23 in Fort Myers.

4. Pump Timers and Speeds

Spectrum News 13 reports that some pool pumps can be run from an app on your phone, while others need manual adjustments to keep the pool from freezing over.

If you’d rather skip the all-night run, an Apopka pool store owner told News 6 to set your pump’s timer for midnight and run it into the morning.

Pool pumps should turn on if the temperature falls below 40 degrees.

Double-check your manuals, since a pump may turn on overnight.

A Pinch-a-Penny store in Orlando said to keep a variable-speed pump at a low, steady speed.

Anything higher could damage your pump.

5. Solar Heater Freeze Plans

Solar panels on your pool need freeze protection if you'll use them in colder conditions.

An Apopka pool store owner told News 6 that solar heaters are more likely to freeze because the water runs up through very small pipes.

Running water through the panels should keep it from freezing at the temperatures expected.

If it got down to zero, you shouldn't send any water up there at all.

A pool service owner told Spectrum News 13 to go further and shut off the valve for the solar heater, so water doesn't continue to rise into the pipes.

6. Drain Plugs

A pool service owner said you can drain your pool filter by releasing its plug, which leaves room for the water to expand.

Pentair's guide for its IntelliFlo pump lists draining the pump housing among its winterizing steps.

You do that by removing the housing's two thumb-twist drain plugs.

January's Freeze Warnings

Pool owners across much of Central Florida were under freeze warnings in late January, News 6 reported.

That weekend could get even colder.

If your pool was in that area, temperatures could fall into the 20s by Sunday.