If you don't cover your above ground pool during the winter, dirt, leaves and other debris will accumulate. Even if you don't have any trees nearby, the wind will still throw debris into the water. Not only that, but winter covers protect the pool from stains, algae growth and poor water balance that could damage pool surfaces. Pool covers block both dirt and sunlight, to preserve winter chemicals and protect soft, shiny surfaces.
And a pool safety cover, as shown here, keeps your pool safe and looking fantastic. People often avoid covering their pool during the winter because pool covers come at an additional cost. However, an outdoor pool will cost you much more in a few years than a simple pool cover. By simply adding a pool cover, you can avoid most of these problems completely.
The cover acts as a barrier to debris, as well as a barrier to sunlight. If installed correctly, a winter cover will protect your pool in the form of stasis throughout the winter, making spring opening as simple as adding water, starting chemicals and turning on the filtration system again. If the pool water is kept on average above 65 degrees, algae can continue to grow and live in the water. Placing the cover over the pool when the water temperature is too high will allow the algae to grow below the deck until the water gets too cold for the algae to survive.
Harsh weather conditions throughout the winter season can cause potential damage to more than just pipes. Without winterizing the pool, the water could turn green with algae. If the chlorine system stops working, you'll say goodbye to the beautiful blue pool you know and love. When spring comes, your pool will be cozy and will cause a real dent in your wallet. Bacteria that feed on algae can even cause health risks.
To protect your pool and family from this problem, clean the pool properly during the winterization process, and occasionally take a look under the cover to check that nothing went wrong. The reason for using an air pillow is to relieve stress from the sides of the pool when rain and snow fall, causing the cover to fall. In case you want to add chemicals to your outdoor pool during the winter, it is essential that you pre-dilute the chemicals by mixing them with water inside a bucket and then pouring them around the edge of the pool. Flightless insects are also likely to enter your pool much more than if it were covered, including spiders, tree worms, and ants. With an overwater pool cover, it lets everyone know it's not open for swimming and that it's not ready to use and reduces the chance of someone trying to be a crowd showing off when submerged in water at sub-zero temperatures, putting their health at immediate risk.
For a pool that relies on the sun for warmth, covering it at night can make it warm enough to swim the next day, rather than losing all the heat during the night when temperatures drop. Pool covers made of sturdy fiberglass mesh will prevent anyone from falling into the water, as long as they are fixed and installed correctly. Or, look at the Ultimate 3000 cover that allows water to enter the pool through a mesh strip in the center. Wait until the average water temperature is below 65 degrees before placing the cover over the pool. However, for most people I would recommend a tight winter pool cover to keep maintenance to a minimum and to protect and secure your outdoor swimming area in off-season months. By using these tricks if you are among those who do not cover their pools during wintertime you can experience their effectiveness. Even when temperatures drop too low for swimming it doesn't necessarily mean it's time to close up shop by placing a cover over your swimming area and calling it a station.
