Purchasing an Above Ground Winter Pool Cover

Regardless of what anybody tells you, you need to cover your pool in the winter (except you year-round warm states). It's extremely important to the overall health of your pool. Also it will be less of a nightmare to open come spring time.

When looking for a winter cover keep a few things in mind. Winter covers get damaged over the winter, it happens. But there are several different strengths of pool covers to choose from. Mostly it's not the thickness but the stitching. You want a cover that has a tighter stitch. Look for cover that are more than 10x10 stitching if you can. Those tend to be the strongest covers and for some reason they are green in color or tan and black. Ask your local pool store for this kind of cover. Yes they are more expensive but you'll get more than one year out of it for sure.

Ground Cover

Every cover should also come with a cable and a winch. And each cover has what are called grommets which you lay the cover on the pool and over the sides of the rail. Then you thread the cable in and out of the grommets all the way around the pool. Then use the winch to tighten the cable securing the cover to your swimming pool. Make sure the cover isn't stretched across your swimming pool. Make sure it lays flat on top of the water and comes up the sides of the pool and over the rails. In the winter time keep a little bit of water on top of the cover to protect it from wind damage. This should help prolong the life of your winter cover.

Additional Note: Look for a winter cover that is 4 foot bigger than the size of your pool. If you don't have enough cover then the cover will be a tight fit and could ruin your cover and your pool during the winter.

Purchasing an Above Ground Winter Pool Cover

Winter Pool Covers-How To Put Them on Right

Solid winter pool covers are by far the most common type sold today. They do a good job of protecting a pool during cold weather and retarding the growth of algae as the weather warms prior to opening a pool. Unfortunately, improper installation destroys many covers long before they should require replacement. Improper installation is often the reason. Here's how to do it right and save money.

Once your pool is drained to the proper level, lines blown out, anti-freeze and winter chemicals added it's cover time. The correct way to install a cover is very similar whether your pool is above ground or in-ground. Lay the cover over the top of the pool and ensure that the overlapping material is even all the way around. Once this is done place the securing hardware in position. For above ground pools this means threading the cable the loops or grommets and attaching the winch or tightener. For in-ground pools, install the water bags or Aqua Blocks through the retaining loops sewn into the cover.

Ground Cover

The next step is to form the cover to the sides of the pool around the entire perimeter. The idea is to have the cover lie on top of the pool water for support and stay against the sides to prevent wind from getting underneath. After the cover is in properly in position, get out the garden hose and spray water on the cover to the depth of an inch or so. This holds the cover down. At this point you're almost finished. For above ground pools, tighten the cable as tightly as possible and get the cable up under the top rail. For in-ground pools, fill the water bags or blocks about two-thirds full of water and make sure they are securely in position.

Tips and Tricks:

-Always buy a solid cover with as much overlap as possible. The standard 3 ft. above ground cover overlap in particular is a bare minimum. Four feet is better. Wind is a pool cover's worst enemy. The best ways to ensure that wind doesn't destroy a cover before its time is having enough overlap to more than cover the top rail. A new product called cover seal provides great insurance. Essentially a roll of industrial stretch film, cover seal is wrapped around the top rail over the cover and down the sides of the pool virtually eliminating any way for wind to get under a cover.

-Air pillows can save you money. Don't use them and you'll save.

-Hanging milk jugs on a winter cover is the best way to ensure you'll replace it right away. Not only does the weight of the jugs put unnecessary stress on the cover, they virtually invite wind damage.

Installing your winter cover correctly pays dividends. Your cover will last longer and your pool will be easier to open in the spring. This is also the method winter pool cover manufacturers recommend. Not following their directions could void your warranty!

Winter Pool Covers-How To Put Them on Right