Middle Tennessee winters are notoriously unpredictable. One day mild, the next day feels like summer, then a sudden hard freeze with temperatures dropping below 30°F. For fiberglass swimming pool owners in Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, College Grove, Thompson Station, and Murfreesboro, these temperature swings can threaten equipment, plumbing, and even if the fiberglass swimming pool if not addressed properly.
While premium fiberglass swimming pools from Aviva Pools Nashville South are engineered for durability and low maintenance (with flexible shells that resist cracking better than concrete), proactive freeze protection is essential to avoid costly damage like burst pipes, damaged equipment, or cracked heaters.
Her are our comprehensive pool winterization tips that include preventative measures and equipment safeguards to prevail equipment and swimming pool damage during the harsh conditions of Middle Tennessee’s winters.
Why Freezing Weather and Power Outages Are Dangerous for Swimming Pools in Middle Tennessee
When temperatures fall below freezing, water expands. If that water is trapped inside pool plumbing, pumps, filters, heaters, or valves, the expansion can:
- Crack PVC pipes
- Split pump housing
- Damage filters, chlorination cells, and heaters
- Destroy valves and fittings
Proper pool winterization, during a prolonged freeze or power outage, can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in avoidable damage to your plumbing and swimming pool equipment.
Extra Precaution for Prolonged Freezes or Power Outages in Middle Tennessee
It’s not uncommon in Middle Tennessee to see extended cold snaps or rolling blackouts due to the grid being overtaxed. Here are some extra precautions that you can take, early in the season, to give you peace of mind when this happens:
- Pre-winter confirm that your freeze protection is enabled and verify temperature sensors are functioning as designed.
- Create and keep a Cold Weather Emergency Pool Plan near the equipment pad:
- Which features to isolate first.
- The locations of shut off valves and drains.
- Who to call if power is out.
- Replace your salt cell or inline chlorinator with a dummy cell to prevent the risk of freeze damage. Cold water can freeze inside the cell, potentially cracking the housing or damaging the internal plates, which are costly to replace.
- Use foam sleeves or insulation tape, that you can purchase from your local hardware store, to insulate exposed pipes. Alternately you can use blankets, though not recommended as they’re not waterproof.
During a Prolonged Freeze or Power Outage in Middle Tennessee: Prioritize Water Circulation
Modern pool equipment includes built-in freeze protection, so in most conditions, your system manages itself. Smart freeze guard protect (via app integration) is typically triggered at ~38°F which overrides your existing schedules and runs your pumps at an optimal RPM (e.g. 2,200+) 24/7. Freeze protection mode keeps water circulating when it matters most.
Only during power outages do you need to take extra precautions to keep water circulating as stagnant water freezes faster, expanding and risking cracks.
If Power Goes Out in Middle Tennessee: Emergency Pool Winterization
A power outage during a freeze and loss of power requires immediate action:
- Turn off Power to Swimming Pool Equipment
- Turn off all breakers to your swimming pool’s equipment as this prevents equipment damage when power is restored.
- Drain Swimming Pool Equipment Completely
- Most swimming pool equipment includes drain plugs. Immediately remove to eliminate standing water and store them safely.
- Remove the lids of check valves to keep them from cracking.
- Open the salt cell or inline chlorinator to remove any water insider the pipe.
- Open the air relief on your swimming pool filter.
- Blow Out Swimming Pool Plumbing Lines (If Possible)
- If you have access to an air compressor, blow air through skimmer, return lines, and water features to remove as much standing water as possible. If you’re unsure how to do this safely, stop and call a professional.
If ice has formed on your pool equipment, don’t immediately turn the power back on once it’s restored. Instead wait for any ice that has formed to melt naturally. This will help minimize damage to the equipment as much as possible.
Use Your Swimming Pool Cover Wisely
Swimming pool covers help to hold heat in water, but they are not a freeze-proof solution. Here’s how to effectively use and protect your swimming pool cover during the harshest conditions in Middle Tennessee:
- Gently remove any snow, debris, and ice from your swimming pool cover to avoid excess weight and damage to your cover, tracking, and housing.
- Proactively use a cover sump pump to remove any accumulated water and slush to prevent heavy sagging.
- In a dry hard freeze (no moisture), maintain a closed cover to maintain slightly warmer water temperatures.
Circulation is Your Best Defense
Most Middle Tennessee fiberglass swimming pool owners keep their pool open year-round thanks to modern advances of automatic freeze protection. This negates the need for costly full winterization allowing homeowners to enjoy their pools and spas into the winter months in Middle Tennessee.
Continuous water movement prevents 99% of freeze issues. Proper winterization and immediate action during an winter power outage can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in avoidable damage. If you need guidance and emergency winterization support, our team is here to help.
Smarter builds. Better protection, Peace of mind year-round. Contact Aviva Pools Nashville South today to schedule a free consultation.
