Winter pool floats – function and placement
Pooltime · Winter closing & pool cover
Winter floats are accessories that may be included in a pool’s protection against the movement of ice. Check whether your pool model needs them and how they should be placed before closing the pool for winter.
What do winter floats do in a pool?
Winter floats, sometimes called winter buoys or freeze blocks, are intended to reduce the pressure from ice in the pools and installations where the manufacturer recommends them. Some models are linked together into a row that is held in place across the pool.
They do not keep the water frost-free and do not replace winter closing of pipes, filters, pump, or heater. They are also not a pool cover that someone can stand on. The pool’s construction and the supplier’s instructions determine whether floats should be used and which solution is suitable.
Start with the pool’s winter instructions
- Identify the structure and surface layer. Retrieve model names and installation documents. Do not automatically transfer advice between liner pools, glasfiberpool, PP pools, and above-ground pools.
- Check the recommended water level. The level must match the pool, the fittings, and the chosen winter cover. Do not lower the water further just to make room for floats.
- Confirm placement and quantity. Some models can be connected across the pool. Use the layout and fastening specified for your combination of pool and float.
- Check anchoring and ballast. Follow the instructions for filling, connections, and how the row should be held in place. Do not use your own fastenings in the liner.
- Coordinate with the pool cover. The floats must not prevent the roof, cover, or other parts from functioning as intended.
How many winter floats are needed?
Count from the prescribed span and the product’s effective length when the parts are connected. A nominal product measurement may differ from how much space each part occupies in a finished row. The number should therefore be based on the installation instructions, not only on the pool’s surface area.
Include a simple sketch: state the pool’s length and width, the position of the steps, the winter water level, and which cover you are using. Ask the supplier to mark how the floats should be placed before you order.
Different winter accessories have different purposes
| Accessory | Intended purpose | To check |
|---|---|---|
| Winter floats | Handle part of the ice load in a prescribed installation. | Pool type, quantity, placement, and fastening. |
| Expansion protection for skimmer | Protects a specific part according to its winter instructions. | Compatibility with the skimmer and any draining or plugging. |
| Winter plugs | Seal intended fittings or lines. | Correct dimension, sealing, and order for draining the system. |
| Winter cover | Covers the pool during the winter period. | Fastening, water level, and explicit instructions for snow and load. |
Floats are part of winter closing
Plan the entire task before the frost arrives. Water values, cleaning, water level, and draining the equipment need to be handled according to the facility's instructions. An installed pool enclosure does not automatically mean that water in the pump or heater is protected from freezing.
Do not make your own substitutes with containers that may leak liquid, lose parts, or rub against the surface layer. A finished product must also be installed correctly; the material and shape are only part of the solution. Do not pour antifreeze into the pool water.
Check from the pool edge during winter
Follow the inspection routine specified by the pool and cover manufacturer. Check accessible fastenings and whether the cover is lying correctly without going out onto the tarp or the ice. Do not try to break the ice to move a frozen float. Contact the supplier if the installation appears to have shifted or if damage occurs.
See our pool covers if you need to plan the covering at the same time. For questions about an existing pool, the model details are the best place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Do all pools need winter floats?
No. The need and design depend on the construction and the manufacturer’s winter instructions. Check what applies to your pool.
Can winter floats replace draining the equipment?
No. Pipes, pump, filter, and heater must be winterized according to their own instructions even if floats are used in the pool.
Can I install them when the water has already frozen?
Plan the installation before ice forms. Do not break ice near the liner or fixed parts to make room; ask the supplier how the situation should be handled.
Plan the winter based on your pool model
Send the pool model, dimensions, and details about the roof or cover. We will help you determine which winter routines and accessories need to be checked.
In-depth: CF Group’s product instructions for winter floats. Always check the instructions for your own equipment.
