Air Pillow for Uncovered In-Ground Pool Freeze Protection?

[FiveSheep]

I'm in OKC and have a (new to me) oddly shaped in-ground pool with a natural rock wall along one side that makes it impractical to cover, so I leave it running during the winter (no heater). The freeze protection works well and I tarp the equipment pad and put a heater underneath when it gets below freezing, which only happens a few times a year, but I'm concerned about occasional extended freezes.

Last year we had an extended freeze; I put antifreeze bottles in the skimmer and adjusted the jets to keep circulation going, although most of the pool froze over. I tried to break up the ice as much as possible, after reading that ice pressure can damage tiles at the waterline.

I have read that for above ground pools, air pillows are used to absorb ice pressure to allow the pool to freeze safely. If I got some air pillows, would they do the same for my in-ground pool to help protect the tile? Is this something that people do?

 

[ajw22]

I tried to break up the ice as much as possible, after reading that ice pressure can damage tiles at the waterline.

If I got some air pillows, would they do the same for my in-ground pool to help protect the tile? Is this something that people do?

Tile damage does not occur due to “ice pressure”.

If you have any cracks in the grout that allow water to get behind the tiles, then the water can freeze, expand, and crack the tile or pop it off. That is why the water is lowered below the tile line when a pool is winterized.

 

[FiveSheep]

In the context of fully winterizing a pool, there are lots of pool company websites that say some variation of this:

Water level is crucial in winter-proofing a tiled pool. If the water level is too high, it can damage the pool tiles upon freezing. The surface water will expand and place too much pressure against the tile, causing it to crack. It is advisable to keep water levels some distance below where the tiles are to prevent any damage.

Is that not correct?

 

[ajw22]

In the context of fully winterizing a pool, there are lots of pool company websites that say some variation of this:



Is that not correct?

It is misleading and poorly worded.

The “pressure” the quote refers to comes from water behind the tiles and expanding, not from the front of the tiles.

 

[FiveSheep]

Okay, understood. So there's nothing additional I can really do to protect my pool at this point, then?

I haven't had issues in the past, I'm just looking for relatively simple/inexpensive ways of adding protection for these occasional deep freezes.

 

[ajw22]

Okay, understood. So there's nothing additional I can really do to protect my pool at this point, then?

Not now.

I haven't had issues in the past, I'm just looking for relatively simple/inexpensive ways of adding protection for these occasional deep freezes.

Carefully examine your grout joints and fix even the smallest crack lines when the weather is warm.

 

[FiveSheep]

Thanks!

Is there a product (or type of product) that you recommend for patching cracks in grout around tiles?

 

[ajw22]

Is there a product (or type of product) that you recommend for patching cracks in grout around tiles?

E-Z Patch® 4 (White) Pool Tile Grout Repair

E-Z Patch® 4 (White) Pool Tile Grout Repair is our above water mixture. Grout repair products and tile grout repair.

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