First winter with a pool

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Just run your pump until it’s no longer freezing. As long as the water is moving, it won’t freeze.

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I have my pump running, but I was wondering if I should wrap towels around the pipes also.

You can but shouldn’t have to, especially if it’s below freezing for less than 24 hrs and not super cold. I’m sure up north, it’s different, but in south Louisiana, having the pump running should be enough. That’s all I do.

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So lucky me, my pump motor died this week and I doubt I’ll be able to replace it before this hits.

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If your pump is above the pool water level you should be able to evacuate the above-ground pipes by venting the line (say, by opening the pump strainer lid).

If the dead pump and the exposed, water-filled pipes are below the level of the pool water and you've got a deep freeze coming, an electric freeze protection cable might work.

Below-ground pipes are usually not a concern unless you live in the far north.

Up north pool contractors drain the pool and use a $350 evacuation blower to force water out of all the lines before winter.

In Texas and we lost power in the big Texas freeze we had a few years ago. I got up at 2am when we lost power and pulled all freeze plugs and drained the equipment. Since the power went out at night, most everyone didn’t get up to take care of their pools and everyone lost all of their equipment. I didn’t have any issues whatsoever.