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Winterizing your pool pump (cold climates)

Updated : · Piscines VP

In cold climates, drain the pump completely, remove the drain plugs, unplug it and store it indoors, dry and frost-free. Keep the plugs in the strainer basket so you don't lose them. A pump left outside with water in it can crack.

In Quebec, the pump doesn’t spend winter outdoors. A good closing means a surprise-free start in spring.

The steps

  1. Cut the power and unplug the pump.
  2. Remove the drain plugs and let all the water out.
  3. Empty and rinse the strainer basket.
  4. Undo the unions and remove the pump.
  5. Keep the plugs in the strainer basket: you’ll know where they are in spring.
  6. Store the pump indoors, dry and frost-free.

Why it matters

In spring

See Reinstalling your pump in spring. It’s also the best time to fix a noise problem.

Piscines VP does pool closings in Laval and the Basses-Laurentides, Quebec.

Frequently asked questions

Should I put antifreeze in the pump?

No. Drain the pump and store it dry. Pool antifreeze goes in plumbing that stays outdoors, depending on the closing method, not in a stored pump.

Where should I store the pump?

Somewhere dry and frost-free: heated garage, basement, insulated shed. Avoid humidity, which rusts the bearings.

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