Winter is a tough time for any pool owner. Keeping your pool in top shape during the colder months can be challenging with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. However, covering your pool in the winter is one of the best ways to protect it from the elements and keep it running all year round smoothly.
There’s no single best way to cover a pool in winter – which method you choose will depend on your budget, climate, and other factors.
But if you’re looking for tips on covering your pool during the cold months, read on!
We’ll discuss the options available and provide helpful advice on selecting the right choice for your swimming pool during the winter.
So, what is a winter pool cover?
When it’s time to close up the pool for the winter, a winter pool cover is essential.
A winter pool cover helps protect your pool from leaves and debris, keeps it clean, and prevents evaporation.
It also helps keep your energy bill down by insulating your pool and keeping the heat in.
Different types of winter pool covers are available, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
If you have an above-ground pool, you’ll want a cover that’s specifically designed for that type of pool.
In-ground pools require a different type of cover.
You’ll also want to consider the size of your pool when selecting a cover.
Once you have the correct type of cover, it’s essential to properly install it.
This will ensure that your pool is protected all winter long. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Most covers need to be placed over the top of the pool and secured with straps or ropes. Some may require additional anchoring around the perimeter of the pool.
If you take proper care of your winter pool cover, it will last for many years.
Remove it in the spring before opening up your pool for the season. Then, inspect it for any damage and replace it if necessary.
With proper care, your winter pool cover will help keep your pool looking great all year long!
Winter Pool Cover Options
Manual Pool Covers
In a manual pool cover, you need to move the cover manually.
It usually works with a crank and pulley system. The cover roll can be installed at one end of the pool, and hand cranks are attached to it for moving the cover.
A pool cover like this requires two people to handle it. One person must pull the cover from each end and drag it to the other.
In the same way, two people must pull the cover from one end and fix it at the other.
A manual cover made of tarpaulin may need to be held down with a weight on top of it. Usually, water bags are placed on top.
This cover is ideal for keeping off the dirt. But there are better covers to ensure safety.
If too much water builds up on the surface, it may cave in when rain falls.
It doesn’t look good and can reduce the aesthetic look of the pool area, and it also only lasts for a short time.
The main advantage is that it’s inexpensive.
Automated pool cover
In this type of pool cover, no one has to pull it across. Instead, all the work is done by simply turning on a button.
The pool cover automatically covers the pool. The cover opens whenever you press the button, allowing you to use the pool.
It is effortless to operate. Nobody has to move the cover manually. Therefore, it is convenient to use.
In addition to keeping the pool clean, it also ensures safety. It keeps children and pets away from the pool and ensures that safety incidents do not occur.
Automated pool covers are mainly suitable for rectangular pools.
Solar Cover
A solar pool cover is ideal for those living where the day is hot and the night cold.
It offers the benefit of an increased temperature in the pool, with temperatures reaching up to eight degrees higher.
Also known as bubble covers, they are thin and relatively inexpensive and help keep dirt and debris away from the pool.
They can also be used on pools of all shapes and sizes; however, they do not offer protection from accidental falls into the pool.
They are designed to trap heat and warm the water.
Solar covers are made from various materials, including polycarbonate and vinyl.
Solar covers are available in different sizes to fit any pool.
Keep the solar blanket on the swimming pool if you plan to swim or use the filter system.
If you are not going to be using the pool, close the pool with a winter cover.
Leaving the solar cover on during the winter will result in debris, leaves, and other trash slipping into the pool, creating a mess nobody wants to clean up.
If the trash is left in the pool for too long, it’ll cause algae and slime to grow on top of the cover, creating an even bigger mess to clean up.
Mesh Pool Cover
A mesh pool cover is made of mesh. It is relatively inexpensive. It keeps the pool clean and ensures safety.
However, it takes work to remove and put on. This is your best option if you intend to keep your pool covered for a long time.
Depending on your budget and needs, you can choose among the different types of pool covers to keep your pool safe, protected, and heated.
Why You Should Use a Winter Pool Cover
When the weather cools and your backyard pool is used less, it may be tempting to just leave it as is and deal with it later.
As a result of properly covering your pool during the winter months, you will have less maintenance (both in effort and in cost) when the weather warms up again.
Winter Pool Covers Will:
- Keep debris out of the pool. Leaves, twigs, branches, bugs, animals, and so on. Organic matter can quickly turn your pool into a bacteria farm.
- Reduces the risk of accidental drowning.
- Savings on pool chemicals.
- Keeps the water from evaporating.
