First winter, question about pool cover pump and freezing

[rpoitras]

Hi all,
We had a 31k gallon in-ground vinyl salt water pool installed this spring and included was the first pool closing and opening. The guys came a few weeks ago to install the Loop Loc cover and close the pool. We had to purchase a pump that they hooked up and placed on the step before putting the cover on. I've seen this is a pretty common method so not really worried about it, but wondering about what happens when the water freezes? The guy told me to just leave it plugged in and I understand as the water rises from rainfall the pump will keep the water level down a bit, but when we hit freezing temps what happens to the pump and hose? Should I worry the freezing/expanding water will ruin the pump? What if there's water in the hose and that freezes, then the pump tries to kick on? Could it burn up due to the hose being plugged?

 

[PoolGate]

Where is the pump? Is it under water?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What model pump did you buy that was placed on the step?

 

[wireform]

Yes it's common practice to some. No worries as where the pump sits is below the deck so the water in hose empties out towards the pump and the pump is on the step where it's dry. The rest of the hose as long as it's flat on the ground empties out too. Just be forewarned, tie the pump in such a way that it can't fall off the step as it'll drain to whatever level it lands at. You can tie it off to one of the spring loaded straps so it can't slip back and then forget about it till spring.

 

[rpoitras]

Thanks for the replies. The pump is partially in water as it's sitting on a step inside the pool (top step, if I remember). It's a Superior Pump 2100 gph (submersible pool cover pump), and they did use rope to keep it in place. They had drained some water down while closing and before they left told me to plug in the pump and leave it over the winter. When I did plug it in, it ran for a short while (15 or so minutes) then stopped which made sense as they had already set it up. They removed their extension cable and I replaced it with mine.

 

[PoolGate]

Thanks for the replies. The pump is partially in water as it's sitting on a step inside the pool (top step, if I remember). It's a Superior Pump 2100 gph (submersible pool cover pump), and they did use rope to keep it in place. They had drained some water down while closing and before they left told me to plug in the pump and leave it over the winter. When I did plug it in, it ran for a short while (15 or so minutes) then stopped which made sense as they had already set it up. They removed their extension cable and I replaced it with mine.

This would concern me. The most ice I got in MD was 1" in the pool. If your pump is always partially submerged I would think the pump would be ruined if it froze. NY gets colder than MD too.

 

[ajw22]

This one?

Superior Pump 92395 2100 gph pool cover pump

Superior Pump pool cover pump

www.superior-pump.com

As you can see it is thermally protected and should not burn out if it runs dry or the hose freezes.

I think though the pump may last 2 or 3 seasons before it gets corrosion and starts tripping the GFCI. Sitting in water is not a good environment for a motor.

I would lose a cover pump to GFCI trips if I let it get buried in snow and ice. Now I bring my cover pumps in before any snow event or freezing and they last longer. Once it gets that cold the pump will not work anyway so no point in leaving it sitting on the pool cover.

 

[rpoitras]

This one?

Superior Pump 92395 2100 gph pool cover pump

Superior Pump pool cover pump

www.superior-pump.com

As you can see it is thermally protected and should not burn out if it runs dry or the hose freezes.

I think though the pump may last 2 or 3 seasons before it gets corrosion and starts tripping the GFCI. Sitting in water is not a good environment for a motor.

I would lose a cover pump to GFCI trips if I let it get buried in snow and ice. Now I bring my cover pumps in before any snow event or freezing and they last longer. Once it gets that cold the pump will not work anyway so no point in leaving it sitting on the pool cover.

Yep, that's the one.

Ok, I think I'll do the same and once the temps are consistently near freezing just pull it out.

Thanks again, guys!