Pool owners in Alabama frequently associate closing their pools with installing a pool cover. While this is important, there is a lot more to closing your pool during the off-season.

Pool pipes are one of the most crucial pool components that are often overlooked in the winterizing process. Many pool owners are seen bickering about their broken pipes when the swim season arrives rather than enjoying inside their pools. 

If you live in Deatsville, AL, or anywhere else in the Montgomery Metropolitan Area and do not want to face such an upsetting situation, continue reading. In this blog, we will tell you how to protect your pipes against the chilly winter season. 

Why Do Pool Pipes Rupture During the Winters? 

Almost all components of your pool are susceptible to damage due to freezing temperatures, including the pump, skimmer, heater, and filter. However, broken pipes are a more common sight during the off-season. 

This is because the pipes are often not drained properly before the pool is closed. As a result, the leftover water freezes inside. What happens next? As the water freezes, it expands—remember your high school science class? 

The leftover water can freeze and expand up to 10% causing cracks in your pipes. This problem is more prominent in above-ground pools. The water can freeze within an hour inside the pipes if the temperature is at or below 32°F.

How to Prevent Pool Pipe Damage? 

The most obvious solution is to drain the water properly. No water. No freezing. No pipe damage. 

Common sense would say to add antifreeze inside the lines as it would prevent freezing of any sort. However, we stand against this. Antifreeze can have harmful impacts on the environment, on you, as well as your pets. Thus, avoid using it in the lines unless directed. 

To let the remaining water drain out, open the outside hose bibs and valve so that your pipes stay intact even if the water expands. Additionally, close the inside valves that supply water to the outdoor hose bibs. Also, disconnect the hoses and store them to be used for the next swim season. Most importantly, insulate both the pipes and the areas where these pipes are located, such as the crawl space, basement, or garage. Remember, all areas where plumbing is located should be warm. 

To insulate the pipes, you can use products like insulation tapes or pipe sleeves. Heat tapes, specifically, are lifesavers. The most common type of tape is self-regulating heat cables. These can be cut to any length to fit your pipes. As the name implies, they automatically adjust the heat output depending on the changes in the temperature. If the temperature is higher, they will emit no heat. Otherwise, their heat level will increase to protect your pipes from freezing temperatures. 

With insulation and proper draining, there are extremely few chances that your pipes will freeze and rupture. 

Did you discover a broken pool pipe? Don’t worry; Water and Pool Solutions has you covered. If you live in Deatsville or anywhere in the River Region, call us at (334) 264-2700 or contact us online for all your pool-related problems.