ORLANDO, Fla. – As temperatures plunge, it’s crucial to remember the essential “P’s” of protection: people, plants, pets, and pipes. In Florida, this principle also extends to a specific concern—pool pipes.
In the Sunshine State, when temperatures dip below freezing for extended periods, any water trapped in pipes can freeze. This freezing can potentially lead to cracks, which might cause pipes to burst once the ice thaws.
For pool owners in Florida, a sudden cold snap can result in significant repair costs if the water temperature drops too low.
“PVC pipes are particularly vulnerable—they tend to crack at the joints or the valve body itself when exposed to freezing temperatures,” explained Troy Serres, owner of the Pinch A Penny Pool Patio and Spa store in Apopka.
To prevent such costly damage, Serres advises that whether you own an in-ground or above-ground pool, it’s wise to keep the pool running overnight during cold spells. This simple step can help safeguard against freezing and potential damage.
Serres says, whether you have an in-ground pool or an above-ground pool, just to be safe, the best thing to do is turn it on and let it run overnight.
“Water circulating isn’t gonna freeze,” Serres said. “If you don’t want to run it all night long, at least you can change your timer.”
[WATCH: How to prepare pipes for cold weather]
Serres says to set the timer for midnight and run it into the morning. If you don’t want to continue running the pump throughout the next day, you can shut it off.
Serres says this is even more of a concern for people who have solar water heaters, where the water has to run to the solar panels to heat.
“You’re more likely to get water freezing in the pipes because it’s a very small diameter. If you’ve got the water running through it, the temperatures that we’re gonna get to, yeah, that will prevent it from freezing. If we were to get down to zero, then you don’t wanna send any water up there at all,” Serres said.
Serres also says that for pools with automated systems, the pool pumps should turn on if the temperature falls below 40 degrees. Double-check your manuals, and don’t be surprised if your pools turn on overnight.
[WATCH: When do frigid temps arrive, and how low will they go]
According to our News 6 meteorologists, temperatures are expected to experience freezing conditions for several hours overnight in the following counties:
Marion County: between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Sumter County: between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Lake County: between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Below-freezing temperatures are also forecast overnight in Flagler and northern Volusia counties.
Other counties are not forecast to get cold enough for pipe freezing to be as much of an issue, but Serres says it’s better to be safe.
“That way, you don’t have to have me come out and repair something for you,” Serres said.
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