Here we are again at the end of the year. It is getting colder, and you are concerned about freezing pool pipes.
As the chill of winter settles in, many pool owners are left wondering how to protect their beloved backyard oasis from freezing temperatures.
The last thing anyone wants is to wake up to a cracked and damaged pool due to frozen pipes. While it’s easy to overlook the potential threat, it’s crucial to understand the factors that contribute to a pool pipe freezing and take action to prevent it.
So, how long does it take for pool pipes to freeze, and what can you do to safeguard your pool? Is there a specific temperature at which the pool should be closed? This post will reveal the answers to these questions and more. Let’s get started.
How Long Do Pool Pipes Take To Freeze?
If you do not protect above-ground pool pipes from the cold, they will freeze in less than 6 hours if the weather temperature drops below 32°F (0°C).
The freezing point for in-ground pool pipes will take 5 to 7 days if the temperature remains below 32°F (0°C).
As you can see, these times vary, and several factors influence how long it takes for pool pipes to freeze. It freezes at colder than 32 degrees Fahrenheit (or 0 degrees Celsius) when exposed to cold temperatures.
Depending on the type of pool, where the pool is, where the pipes are located, and the air temperature, the time it takes for the pool pipes to freeze varies greatly.
Pool pipes in above-ground pools freeze up faster than those in in-ground pools since in-ground pool pipes are buried underground, which gives them some insulation. Furthermore, the top of the earth is colder than the bottom.
In addition, when the pool level is low, or the temperature is low, the pipes will freeze faster. It is colder at night, and the pool system will absorb cold air if there is a low water level, causing the pipes to freeze.
Indoor pools are not susceptible to frozen pipes since they are never exposed to freezing temperatures outside.
Cold temperatures can cause inflatable pools to freeze within an hour. Inflatable pools do not have adequate insulation, which leads to this problem.
How Cold Does It Need To Be For Pool Pipes To Freeze Solid?
The weather must be below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7°C) to cause the pool pipes to freeze solid. Ice begins to form at 32°F (0°C) and will eventually freeze solid over a period of hours or even days.
When temperatures drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, most pools’ pipes quickly become solid. Whenever the weather falls below 20°F (-6.7°C), even insulted pool pipes will struggle to keep the water temperature above freezing.
Why Do Pool Pipes Freeze?
I would like to first emphasize that it is not the pool’s pipes that freeze, but the water that is inside the pools. Water will freeze when the temperature drops below freezing when the pool doesn’t have any protection against extreme weather.
Above-ground pools are more likely to experience frozen pipes. As a result, there is an above-ground plumbing system and a filter system.
Pool pipes in ground pools can also freeze, but it isn’t as common since underground pools are usually installed with underground pipes.
Water in underground pipes may not freeze as quickly as water in pipes at the pool’s surface, even though it may freeze more easily underground. These items, including the pool skimmer, pump, and filter, are susceptible to freezing.
How Do I Keep My Pool Pipes From Freezing?
Preventing fires using these methods is only recommended in warm weather (above 20°F, -6.7°C).
You should winterize your pool before a frosty season or close it if the weather drops below 20°F (-6.7°C). Learn how to do that. Pool pipes can be prevented from freezing by following these steps:
Install Freeze Protection Timers
The freeze protection timers are devices that run the pool system automatically when the temperatures are below freezing.
Timers designed for freezing protection include temperature sensors. The pool pump is automatically switched on when the weather creeps toward freezing temperatures to slow down freezing.
It is very convenient to use freeze protection timers during winter when pool owners want to keep their pools open for as long as possible.
Maintain Proper Water Level
When leaving your pool open during winter, always ensure that the water level is at least midway up the skimmer. A pool system will become water starved if the water is below the midpoint of the skimmer.
Insulate The Pipes
By insulating your pool plumbing, you can prevent pool pipes from freezing. It is possible to do this by:
Keeping the pool pipes covered with towels and blankets.
Taping the pool insulation. It is possible to wrap these tapes around pool plumbing, and they usually consist of materials such as foil that retain heat.
Keep The Pump Running
Keeping the pool running 24 hours a day is essential to prevent freeze damage. This keeps the water flowing, thereby maintaining water temperature. Circulating water produces heat, which makes freezing pipes more difficult.
Running the pool system alone during the winter months won’t keep your pool water from freezing.
Tip: Winter months are perfect for variable-speed pool pumps. Generally, you can operate the pool pump very slowly most of the time due to the pool pump’s ability to alternate between speeds.
What Temperature Should I Close My Pool?
You can close your pool off for the winter at around 50°F (10°C) if you won’t be swimming, and chances are you won’t. Nevertheless, you could wait until it’s freezing before you do anything.
Make sure you have a freeze damage protection measure in place if you let the temperature get to freezing.
You can leave your pool open as long as the pipes are well insulated or the pool has a freeze guard installed. Nevertheless, prepare for an extra workload regarding pool maintenance.
There is an issue with this, as the skimmer and filter will freeze at around 30°F (-1°C) if the power goes out. Those kinds of things are expensive if they happen.
For safety reasons, you should close your pool if the pipes aren’t insulated and you do not have a freeze guard installed.
If you plan on handling the winter season by maintaining your pool system, let’s check out some other methods to prevent freeze damage and pool pipe freezing.
Will Running the Pump Prevent Pool Pipes from Freezing?
As a consequence of running the pool pump, the rate at which the pool water and pipes freeze will be slowed down. If the temperature falls below 32°F (0°C), all pool water and pipes will eventually freeze, regardless of whether the water is flowing.
In addition to temperature and insulation, whether pipes are underground or above ground affects the freezing time. There is a common belief among pool owners that their pool will not freeze as long as the system runs continuously.
Water molecules contain hydrogen atoms (the positive charge) and oxygen atoms (the negative charge). Molecules rub against each other in moving water, producing heat that makes it warmer.
It is important to note that the heat produced only prevents the water from freezing when the temperature is between 30 and -1°C. It is unlikely that water molecules will create much heat when the temperature drops well below 30°F (-1.1°C).
The water molecules are expected to slow down gradually as their charge decreases. Once the water has reached a point where it becomes semi-solid or soft ice, it will move slower until it reaches the freezing point.
When the water reaches this stage, it cannot move. Water cannot move since there is no movement. A water molecule cannot generate heat. A solid freeze will eventually occur.
Will Running The Pool Heater Prevent Pool Pipes From Freezing?
Running a powerful pool heater for an extended period of time will reduce the chances of the pool pipes freezing. While it is possible to run a heating system throughout the winter, it is very expensive.
I’ll explain more in-depth in the following paragraphs.
To begin with, the weather must be above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures of 20 degrees or lower can cause pool heaters to struggle to keep water above freezing (or above 32 degrees F).
Moreover, it is important to keep the pool water above 32 degrees 0 degrees Celsius when running the pool heater. When the winter months are upon us, it is best to keep the heater on for at least 12 hours a day.
Additionally, the pool heater should generate the necessary amount of heat to keep pool water above freezing. During the winter months, a small pool heater will not be able to keep a large pool warm.
Tip: Keep the heater running at night when the weather is colder to avoid frozen pipes. It is also important to cover the pool at night with a pool cover while its heater is running in order to maintain the heat and conserve energy.
Will Underground Pool Pipes Freeze?
If the temperatures are below 20°F (-6.6°C) for several days, underground pool pipes can freeze. A freezing risk increases when pipes are buried under 2ft (61cm) of soil that is moist or particularly porous.
If temperatures are sub-freezing for several days, the pipes that extend out of the ground will definitely freeze.
A number of factors contribute to the freezing of underground pool pipes after the ambient temperature, such as the depth at which pipes are buried and the frost line present in the soil.
Frozen pipes in underground pools can only be reached by traveling into the soil. Pool pipes are less likely to freeze if they are buried deeper. Typically, in-ground pools have pipes that are buried about 2 ft below ground level.
It takes about 25 inches of ground frost for pool pipes to freeze at this depth. This is when the soil frost line becomes important. In ice age conditions, the frost line is where underground water freezes.
The depth at which frost must penetrate the soil for pipes beneath to freeze is called penetration depth. There is an average frost line of just over 20 inches (less than 2 feet) under the ground.
Pool pipes that are buried two feet below the ground will freeze if the frost line in your area is greater than 30 inches, but it will take several days of constant frost penetration in the soil for the pipes to freeze.
It is also important to look at the soil’s condition. Pool pipes can freeze easily if the soil contains a lot of moisture. When the soil is very porous, frost can penetrate the pool’s plumbing much more quickly.
Final Words
The best way to prevent your pool from freezing in winter is to use a heated cover. If winter care tips are followed, they may significantly reduce the chances of damage from frozen pools and equipment.
Hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs could be saved as a result.
