APOPKA, Fla. – As temperatures drop, Floridians are reminded of the importance of protecting the four Ps: people, plants, pets, and pipes. But amidst these, pool pipes often require special attention.

In Florida, safeguarding pool pipes can be crucial during a cold snap. If temperatures plunge below freezing for an extended period, any water trapped inside pipes can solidify. This can lead to cracks that might burst when the ice eventually thaws.

For residents with pools, this scenario can result in expensive repairs if the pool water becomes too cold. The risk is not to be underestimated.

“When temperatures drop low enough, the PVC pipes can crack right where they connect to the valve, or the valve body itself may fracture,” explained Troy Serres, owner of Pinch A Penny Pool Patio and Spa in Apopka. “Either of these issues can occur during a freeze.”

“The PVC is going to crack here, right where it goes into the valve, or the valve body itself can crack. Either of those things can happen when it gets too cold, when we experience a freeze,” said Troy Serres, who owns the Pinch A Penny Pool Patio and Spa store in Apopka.

Serres says, whether you have an in-ground pool or an above-ground pool, just to be safe, the best thing to do is turn it on and let it run overnight.

“Water circulating isn’t gonna freeze,” Serres said. “If you don’t want to run it all night long, at least you can change your timer.”

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Serres says to set the timer for midnight and run it into the morning. If you don’t want to continue running the pump throughout the next day, you can shut it off.

Serres says this is even more of a concern for people who have solar water heaters, where the water has to run to the solar panels to heat.

“You’re more likely to get water freezing in the pipes because it’s a very small diameter. If you’ve got the water running through it, the temperatures that we’re gonna get to, yeah, that will prevent it from freezing. If we were to get down to zero, then you don’t wanna send any water up there at all,” Serres said.

Serres also says that for pools with automated systems, the pool pumps should turn on if the temperature falls below 40 degrees. Double-check your manuals, and don’t be surprised if your pools turn on overnight.

Freeze warnings are in effect through this week for much of Central Florida, and this weekend it could get even colder. By Sunday, temperatures could fall into the 20s across much of the area, according to News 6 chief meteorologist Candace Campos.

Serres says keeping the water running is the best way to prevent the pipes from freezing.

“That way, you don’t have to have me come out and repair something for you,” Serres said.