How to protect your shell pool from frost?

As France slowly plunges into the winter period, the first frosts have not been slow to invite themselves into your gardens... And into your pool ! Indeed, depending on the region, it is not uncommon to see the thermostat drop below 0°C. Unfortunately, these freezing days are not without consequences for the health of your shell pool , even if you have carried out a proper wintering beforehand!

To avoid premature deterioration of the walls and structure or even bursting pipes , it is therefore better to be forward-looking and equip yourself with accessories adapted to the type of wintering carried out.

Here are some tips to help you protect your swimming pool from freezing and prevent damage from forming ... which could prove extremely costly!

Choosing between active and passive wintering

To protect your pool from frost , it is essential to have previously winterized your pool properly. To do this, you have two options: active winterizing or passive winterizing.

Wondering what the best alternative is? The answer simply depends on the climate where you live. In a region where frost occurs occasionally, the best option remains active wintering . As long as the risk of frost is low, your pool's filtration can continue for a few hours a day. On the other hand, if you live in a place where frost is frequent, you will have to opt for total wintering . This means that you will have to shut down your pool completely and lower the water level in your pool, while taking protective measures to prevent frost from appearing on your pool.

Regardless, never completely empty your pool! Without water to balance the structure, your pool shell could warp under the external pressure of your land.

The different accessories to protect your shell pool from frost

As part of active wintering

If you have chosen active wintering , this means that the filtration of your pool is only effective for 2 or 3 hours during the day. In addition to stirring the water in your pool, this method also prevents the formation of frost. However, if cold spells are expected in the coming days, preventive measures will be necessary to protect your shell pool .

Overview of the accessories you will need to get:

Floats: installed on the surface of the water and placed diagonally across the pool, this system is capable of absorbing the pressure of the ice and therefore preventing deterioration of the shell of your pool.
The gizmo: both practical and inexpensive, this accessory protects the skimmer by compensating for the pressure of the ice on it.
The frost protection box: thanks to this device, protecting your pool from frost has never been easier! Indeed, completely automatic, this product triggers the filtration pump of your shell pool as soon as the temperature reaches a critical threshold. Once in motion, the water remains in a liquid state, thus protecting your structure and your pipes.

As part of passive wintering

During passive wintering, your pool is completely shut down. The water level in the pool is lowered by 10 cm below the return jets and the broom socket (Warning: do not completely drain your pool as this could seriously damage the structure of your pool!). Filtration is stopped and the various elements and pipes are drained to remove all the water present in the circuit.

In this way, your pool is partially protected from frost. However, the installation of certain accessories is essential to support the structure of your pool :

Floats and Gizmo: Just like active wintering, the use of these accessories is also recommended as part of passive wintering .
Winter plugs: fitted to the return jets and the broom sockets, these devices prevent the formation of frost in the hydraulic circuit of your pool by preventing water from stagnating inside.

You now have all the keys in hand to protect your pool from frost formation . For more information on winterizing your shell pool , contact a member of our team or consult our winterizing guide so you don't forget anything.