Winter is coming and it's time to prepare your pool for the cold weather. It is essential to make sure that the covers for pools touch the surface of the water, and that the water level should never drop below 18 inches from the top of the pool. Check the water level in the pool and fill it if it drops below 18 inches. The water level should not be too high either.
If you touch the bottom of the cover, it creates a damp stain that prevents the leaves from shedding and also allows their tannins to seep into the pool water. Both winter covers and safety covers rely heavily on pool water support to help support the weight of ice and snow. If you use a safety cover and know your pool is leaking, be sure to add water during the winter to keep the water level between 3 and 12 below the skimmer opening. If you allow the water level to drop 12 below the skimmer opening, it could cause serious damage to the safety cover, especially if the cover is older.
Allowing water to collect on the top of the deck can cause damage to both the deck and the pool, depending on the type of each. This is because pool covers are not made to support the weight of water (or anything else) on them. The pool cover must touch the water. Pool covers are designed to touch the surface of the pool water.
For the most accurate results, be sure to remove any dirt and debris buildup before checking the pool cover. However, one of the main disadvantages of pool covers is that they tend to accumulate water and debris over time. This is why it's important to turn off your pump once your pool is low enough, as it could easily drain the entire pool if left on too long. Standard winter covers are also known as canvas covers because they are made of polyethylene material. A leaf blower is my choice, and if it's big enough, you can blow any leaf or twig off the pool cover.
The weight of dirt and debris is not only a problem, but it can also lead to the accumulation of unwanted algae on the pool cover. With so much snow on top of your deck, it's essential to remove some of it to relieve tension on your pool deck. Turn on your pump and drain your pool back to just below the bottom of your skimmer opening on its side. If there is less than two feet of snow on your pool cover, there is usually no need to worry, as both winter and safety covers are designed to support that type of weight effectively. Excess water and weight from sheets can cause excessive strain on your cover and cause it to break or fall off. If you place your cover pump correctly on your pool cover, it will do most of the work for you in controlling melting snow or ice as it melts. It is also very important to tighten your pool covers above ground to prevent wind from hitting its surface.
With Pittsburgh's snowy weather just around the corner, it's essential to make sure you're taking all necessary steps when managing snow and ice that build up on your pool deck. Check your pool water level periodically during winter, adding or removing water when necessary with a garden hose or cover pump.
