Winterizing Your Pool Waterfall: Step by Step
Freeze damage is the most expensive waterfall repair and the easiest to prevent. Follow these steps before the first hard freeze.
If you live anywhere that freezes, winterizing your waterfall is not optional. Water left in the weir, plumbing, or pump will freeze, expand, and crack components that cost hundreds to replace. Here is the full routine.
Step 1: Shut off and drain the pump. Turn off the breaker, open the pump lid and drain plugs, and let the pump and filter drain completely. Store the drain plugs in the pump basket so you can find them in spring.
Step 2: Blow out the waterfall line. Use a shop vac or air compressor on the blower setting to push all water out of the dedicated waterfall plumbing. Start at the equipment pad and blow toward the weir until only air comes out.
Step 3: Drain the weir itself. Sheer descents and scuppers hold a surprising amount of water. Tip or drain them per the manufacturer instructions. Rock waterfall kits usually drain through the plumbing, but check any low spots.
Step 4: Plug the lines. Once blown out, plug the weir end or close the valve so rain and meltwater cannot refill the line over winter.
Step 5: Protect the pump. If your pump is removable, store it in a garage or basement. If it stays outside, leave the drain plugs out and cover the equipment pad.
Step 6: Check the finish. Give stainless scuppers and copper spillways a wipe-down so mineral deposits do not sit on the finish all winter.
Come spring, reverse the process: reinstall plugs, open valves, fill the system, and check every joint for leaks on the first run. Fifteen minutes of inspection in spring beats a flooded equipment pad.
One last note: if your waterfall shares plumbing with the pool circulation system, follow your pool closing procedure for those lines and treat the waterfall branch separately.
Find waterfall kits, spillways, scuppers and installation options for your pool at PoolWaterFountain.com. We ship throughout the United States and can help you compare styles and sizes for your project.