4 Things to Know About Winterizing Your Pool Pump

Drain all water from the pump body, filter, and plumbing lines Open the drain plugs and let everything dry out completely. This is the simplest and most reliable way to prevent freezing damage.

Store the pump indoors if possible If you can bring it inside for the season, do it. If not, at least use a pump cover—it’s cheap insurance against cracked housings and busted seals.

Don’t rely on running the pump overnight during a freeze It works sometimes, but a power outage or timer failure can leave you with a $500 repair bill. Draining is far more reliable.

Insulation is not a substitute for draining It helps in mild climates, but it won’t protect you in a hard freeze. If you absolutely can’t drain, use a freeze-protection thermostat that kicks the pump on at 35°F.