Publish Date: 6 October 2022

Whether or not to use a swimming pool cover during the winter is a highly contested topic among pool owners. While some people swear by it, others find it unnecessary and even aesthetically objectionable. Do you think that covering your pool will make a huge difference? Leaving your pool uncovered, do you think, exposes it to danger?

It’s natural for pool owners to wonder if they’re making the right decisions for their pool when faced with such issues. That’s why you’ve found us! let’s talk about how to take care of your pool properly and whether a winter cover is necessary.

Is a Pool Cover Necessary for the Winter?

To put it briefly, no. However, winter swimming pool covers shield your pool from several issues you probably don’t want to deal with when the pool reopens for the season. Several issues can emerge if a winter cover isn’t used, including staining, scaling, algae growth, and an imbalance in the water’s chemistry. You may save money on pool chemicals throughout the winter and prevent damage to your pool’s structure by using a pool cover.

A winter cover is a must if you want to keep your pool in pristine condition during the cold season. In any case, if you’ve decided to leave your winterised pool exposed all season, these are the procedures you should do to ensure a pristine pool when spring comes around.

How to safeguard an above-ground pool winter cover

Even though they are often less expensive than other varieties, you do not want to purchase a new cover yearly. It will last longer if you maintain it properly. Without one, do not winterize your above-ground pool.

Protect the Cover

If you purchase a winter cover for an above-ground pool for the first time, get a high-quality, heavy-duty cover with grommets. These are holes with metal rings around the perimeter of the lid. If you use a plastic tarp, it may lack grommets, making it more challenging to fasten. If you purchase a winter cover for above-ground pools, it should include a cable and a winch for ratcheting the cover down. Under the rails, wrap the winter cover and thread the cable through the grommets. When you ratchet it down, make sure it’s nice and tight.

Employ Cover Clips

These are recommended in addition to the cable and grommet cover. The clips are only an additional layer of security. They are simple devices attached to the pool cover under the pool rail. Since they are affordable, the more you utilise them, the better.

Put Water on the Cover

Even when secured, a cover is vulnerable to wind. One strong breeze under the cover might dislodge it, and repeated gusts can rip it to shreds. Adding between one and three inches of water to the top of the cover can protect it from wind damage. Remember to monitor the water level, too. If it rains and there is excess water on the cover, it may sink into the pool. Keep a pool cover pump accessible for water removal.

How to keep an in-ground pool cover safe during the winter

Even though your pool won’t fall apart if something happens to the cover, it’s still a good idea to do a few things to help the cover do its job over the winter. Take care of the cover when you close your in-ground pool for the season.

Remove Ice

Let the ice melt so you can use a cover pump to get rid of it and protect the cover. Don’t try to remove ice because it may have sharp edges that could tear the cover.

Cover it with water

Even just one to three inches of water on the cover can keep it from flapping and tearing in the wind, which could even blow it off the pool.

Take away the rain and snow

With a cover pump, you can remove excess water (more than the one to three inches you leave there to fight wind) to keep rain and melted snow from making the cover sink.