⚡ What to Do with Your Pool Equipment if the Power Goes Out
When the power goes out unexpectedly — whether from a storm, wind damage, or an area-wide outage — one of the first concerns for pool owners is how to protect their pool equipment.
Without electricity, your pump, heater, and freeze guard can’t operate, which means your water stops circulating. If temperatures drop near freezing, this can quickly lead to frozen pipes or cracked equipment — both costly to repair.
Here’s what to do (and not do) when the lights go out.
🧊 1. Know When It’s an Emergency Situation
If the power goes out during freezing or near-freezing temperatures, your equipment is at risk because standing water can freeze inside pipes, pumps, and filters.
If the outage happens when it’s above 40°F, your pool should be fine until power returns — you can skip most of the emergency steps below.
🪣 2. Keep Water Moving — Manually if You Can
If the forecast calls for below-freezing temperatures and your equipment can’t run, try to keep the water moving manually:
Use a pool brush or leaf net to gently stir the water every few hours.
If you have a spa spillover, pour warm (not boiling) water from a bucket or hose over the equipment pad to keep it from freezing.
Cover the pool with a solar cover or blanket to help insulate and slow down heat loss.
Even small movements can make a big difference — the goal is to prevent stagnant water from freezing solid.
🧰 3. Open Drain Plugs and Valves
If temperatures are dropping and you don’t expect power to return soon, it’s best to drain water from your pool equipment to avoid cracks.
Turn off all breakers before touching anything.
Remove the drain plugs from your pump, filter, and heater.
Open any valves to let trapped water escape.
Store the plugs in your pump basket so you don’t lose them — this is a quick and safe way to relieve pressure and protect your system.
🔌 4. Do Not Try to Run the Pump with a Generator
This one’s important — unless your generator is specifically wired and rated for pool equipment, don’t attempt to power your pump or heater with it.
Improper wattage or unstable current can cause severe electrical damage. It’s much safer to wait until power is restored or to focus on draining and insulating your system instead.
🧤 5. Once Power Is Restored
Before turning everything back on, take a quick look around your equipment pad:
Make sure water has fully thawed (if applicable).
Reinsert all drain plugs and close valves tightly.
Check that your filter pressure looks normal after restarting.
Inspect for any leaks or unusual noises.
If anything seems off, or you’re unsure whether a component froze, don’t restart your heater right away — give us a call and we’ll inspect it safely.
💧 Bonus: How to Avoid Future Stress
A little preparation goes a long way. We recommend:
Testing your freeze guard before cold weather (see our guide: How to Test Your Freeze Guard)
Keeping a rubber drain plug wrench and insulating covers on hand
Signing up for seasonal maintenance checks with Crystal Sea Pools.
☎️ Need Help After a Power Outage?
If you’ve had an outage and want to make sure your equipment is safe to restart, our technicians are happy to help.
📞 678-403-2737
🌐 www.palmsetpools.com
We’ll make sure your system is protected and running smoothly — so you can relax knowing your pool is in good hands.