If you are one of the pool owners in a state that doesn’t normally get such cold weather you may be wondering what to do for your pool.
First, don’t panic. There are posts out in some of the Facebook groups to put tarps and heat lamps over your equipment. DON’T. This creates a huge safety issue and is highly likely to cause a fire if the lamp gets too close to the tarp or the pool equipment. Add any wind and it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
The best advice is to keep your pump on and running. Moving water won’t freeze of temps dip too low for a short time. If you have a heater, keep it on to keep your water temp above freezing- or even as hot as you’d like it to swim or use your hot tub.
Northern climates experience cold and freezing weather regularly. Typically the pools are winterized, the equipment is broken down, water drained, antifreeze added to skimmers. Pools are covered. Some people in northern climates however do nothing sometimes and their pools are often fine. Sometimes they are not. A broken pipe on your equipment pad is much easier to fix than the results of a fire, so even if something happens, it will be fixable.
If you are thinking rolling blackouts are coming your way you may be concerned about your pump turning off and water sitting long enough to freeze. Keep the temps up and your water circulating as much as you can. No power for an hour or two won’t hurt your pool or pipes.
You may be tempted to cover your pool equipment, again, if it is running not necessary. You never want to cover a pool heater when it is on.
Another note of caution: DO NOT DRAIN YOUR POOL! A pool depends on the weight of the water to keep it in the ground. Draining of water could allow severe issues to occur- a pool popping out of the ground is a real thing. So are shifting pools, bending or twisting of fiberglass shells, and cracking etc.