The Importance of Covering Your Swimming Pool During Winter
Swimming pools often have a relatively short operational season, typically lasting just a few months unless you reside in a consistently tropical area. This means that, depending on your geographical location, swimming temperatures may be inadequate for swimming for anywhere between 6 to 9 months each year. When it’s time to transition your swimming pool into the off-season, pool owners often take different approaches. Some leave their pools in a state akin to the active swimming season all year round, while others drain the water to a level that prevents it from remaining in the filtration pipes and hoses, subsequently covering the pool with a protective cover. This leads us to an essential question: How crucial is it to place a swimming pool cover over your pool during the winter months?
When you decide to close your swimming pool for the winter, I highly recommend placing a pool cover over it. This simple step helps prevent leaves, grass, and dirt from contaminating your pool while it remains inactive. Additionally, it saves you both time and money when the next swimming season comes around.
Timing Your Pool Closure for Winter
The first step in this process is determining when it is actually time to close your swimming pool. You should refrain from covering your pool until it no longer requires daily or weekly maintenance. Even if the water has turned too frigid for swimming, it doesn’t necessarily indicate that it’s time to drape the cover over your pool and call it a season. If the average water temperature remains above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, algae can still thrive in your pool. Covering the pool when the water temperature is too warm will enable algae to grow beneath the cover until the water cools down enough for them to perish. It is advisable to wait until the average water temperature drops below 65 degrees before placing a cover on your swimming pool.
The Benefits of a Leaf Net Cover
A leaf net cover serves as an excellent alternative to a traditional pool cover when your pool is not in use but hasn’t been closed yet. This type of cover prevents leaves from entering your swimming pool while allowing you to see through it. You can still operate your pool pump, and rainwater won’t accumulate on top of the cover. Leaf net covers are ideal if you’re going on vacation or won’t be using your pool for an extended period and want to keep debris out of the water. Unlike regular covers, leaf net covers do not trap heat, allowing air to circulate and preventing water from overheating.
For more insights on closing your swimming pool for winter, I recommend checking out my article that outlines 9 essential tips for successfully winterizing your pool.
To Air Pillow or Not: That Is the Question
Some pool owners choose to use an air pillow beneath their above-ground pool covers. An air pillow is an inflatable device available in various sizes, designed to be placed under the cover, floating in the center of the water to elevate the cover. The primary purpose of using an air pillow is to alleviate stress on the sides of the pool from the weight of rain and snow. By using an air pillow, you can extend the lifespan of your pool cover and reduce tension on your pool’s walls. Alternatively, a rubber tire, inner tube, or similar item can provide the same benefit as an air pillow.
If precipitation levels are low during the off-season, an air pillow may not be necessary. However, if you anticipate considerable precipitation that could lead to standing water on top of the cover, it is wise to use an air pillow. They are relatively inexpensive and can significantly prolong the life of your cover while helping to minimize stress on the walls of your above-ground swimming pool.
Reducing Debris: Leaves, Dirt, and Grass
The most significant advantage of placing a cover over your swimming pool is the tremendous reduction in leaves, dirt, and grass that can accumulate in your pool when it is not in use. Until you leave your pool uncovered for six consecutive months or more, it may be difficult to grasp the amount of debris your pool can collect in just a few months. The changing weather, with its cold fronts, northern winds, rain, sleet, and snow, can lead to leaves and other unwanted debris entering your pool, resulting in a dirty bottom.
Keeping Insects and Bugs at Bay
While the extreme cold of winter may significantly reduce the number of flying insects, especially once temperatures drop below freezing, some still exist. If you leave your pool water accessible, these flying creatures may enter and often become trapped, leading to a buildup of hundreds or even thousands of insects, such as flies, bees, wasps, moths, and beetles. Additionally, non-flying insects like spiders and ants are more likely to invade your pool without a cover. Although a cover won’t entirely eliminate all curious creatures, it will significantly reduce their access to the water.
Preventing Animals from Accessing Your Pool
In certain areas, pool owners may encounter squirrels and other wildlife that roam freely. These animals may become curious or thirsty and see an opportunity for a quick drink from your pool. Unfortunately, if a squirrel or raccoon falls into the water, it may struggle to escape and could drown, leading to unsanitary conditions and a foul odor if not discovered promptly. Moreover, the animal’s attempts to escape may damage your pool liner, resulting in costly repairs when the swimming season resumes.
Keeping Kids and Adults Safe
Regardless of whether your pool is covered, it’s essential to supervise children around swimming pools at all times. However, the presence of a cover may deter most kids, teens, and even adults from attempting to access the water or engage in mischief. A pool cover signals to everyone that the pool is closed and not ready for swimming, which can help prevent risky behaviors, such as diving into freezing water that could pose a serious health risk.
Avoiding Dangerous Stunts on Frozen Pools
One of the most hazardous activities that people of all ages engage in during winter is walking, skating, or playing on a frozen swimming pool. A cover can help deter such dangerous thoughts from risk-takers. It’s crucial to remember that attempting to walk across a frozen swimming pool can lead to catastrophic accidents, as the ice may be too thin, causing one to fall through and potentially become trapped beneath the surface.
Final Thoughts
When you’re no longer able to maintain your swimming pool for an extended period, it’s time to close it down properly. A closed swimming pool should be cleaned, winterized, and covered to prevent the water from becoming dirty, the liner from sustaining damage, and to ensure safety for wildlife and people alike. By taking these measures, you can look forward to opening your pool with minimal effort and maintenance in the next season. Simply add a few chemicals, refill the water, connect the hoses, and enjoy your pool once again. For guidance on the best time to open your pool for the swimming season, check out my post on What is the Best Time to Open Your Pool. Waiting too long could lead to regret!