Using the sand filter in a pool is common.
It will do wonders when you are setting it up in a functional swimming pool and it will get rid of the contaminants in the water.
This is assuming you are running it the right way and it is well-maintained.
Unfortunately, you are not just going to be using the sand filter during the warmer days of the year. You will also want to think about how it is going to work out in the winter.
This includes asking, can I leave my sand filter out all winter?
No, you should not leave the sand filter out in the winter. It will get damaged due to the ice water entering the filter and expanding. This can also cause the filter to clog, which means the sand filter won’t work effectively. The better option is to drain the water and take out the sand.
This is going to keep the pool safe and is the best way to winterize it.
If you are thinking about using a sand filter in the pool all winter, you will want to avoid doing so. Here are the reasons it is best to not use the sand filter in the pool during the colder months.
Table of Contents
Reasons To Not Leave Sand Filter Out All Winter
1. Can Get Damaged Due To Ice Water
Let’s start with the impact of the cold weather on the water.
It is going to freeze.
Now, this is not too bad when the water is in the swimming pool. However, this does become a real hassle when the water starts to enter the sand filter.
It is going to expand as it naturally does due to the ice forming.
When the ice forms in the filter, this is going to cause it to crack or get damaged to the point it is useless.
You don’t want a situation such as this, which is why you are going to want to avoid putting the sand filter in this type of situation.
It is not going to bode well for how the sand filter does and it is not going to work as you want it to either.
2. Can Get Clogged
If the water does start to go through and it is not as cold as you assume, this does not mean the sand filter is going to work well in the pool.
It is still not going to be effective.
The reason has to do with how the sand is going to push through the filter. It is going to clog the filter and that is going to make it hard for the water to get through.
This renders the sand filter ineffective even if the water is not frozen.
Yes, the filter will not get damaged but that does not mean it is going to be easy to use. It is going to become difficult to maintain as the sand clogs up the sand filter in the pool.
3. Ineffective Filtering
You have to think about the purpose of a sand filter in the swimming pool.
If it is not going to be effective, what is the point of using it?
You are not going to see good results and it is not going to turn out the way you want it to. This is why you will want to be patient and make sure you are thinking about how effective the filtering is moving forward.
As long as you do this, you are going to see much better results.
4. It’s Better To Drain The Water
You will want to look at what will work better when it comes to the sand filter in the pool during the winter months.
In general, it is best to stop using the filter.
This means you are going to want to drain the water from the sand filter and then get rid of the sand. This is a far better option and is going to keep the swimming pool as safe as you want it to be.
This is going to keep the swimming pool safe during the winter and it will provide peace of mind too.
Final Thoughts
Can I leave my sand filter out all winter?
You should not leave the sand filter out all winter. This is going to damage the filter because water is going to turn into ice and cause the filter to break down. Another issue has to do with sand clogging the filter. It is better to remove the water and sand from the pool.
This is how you are going to see better results and the sand filter is going to be useful moving forward when it gets hotter.
This is what you should be aiming for as a pool owner.
If you don’t do this, the filter will not work in the pool.
