Should I cover my above ground pool in the winter?

Author: Mr. Coy Wisozk DDS  |  Last update: Friday, June 10, 2022

Must You Use a Winter Pool Cover? No, but winter covers protect your pool from stains, algae growth and poor water balance that could damage pool surfaces. Pool covers block both debris and sunlight, to conserve your winter chemicals and protect soft and shiny surfaces.

What happens if I don't cover my pool for winter?

Once you shut down your pool for the season, particularly in fall and into early Winter, your pool is going to start gathering a lot of dirt and debris. Leaves, twigs, dust, and other things will start to fall into your pool, and if your pool is shut down, your filter isn't going to clean any of that out.

How do I keep my above-ground pool from freezing in the winter?

Preventing Ice & Snow Damage
  1. Always use an Air Pillow under winter pool covers.
  2. If the pool leaks during winter, release the pool cover.
  3. Remove snow buildup on top of the pool – carefully.
  4. Use skimmer closures like Skimmer Plug, to protect your skimmer, and wall.
  5. Use a good Pool Cover Pump to keep the ice sheet thin.

Is it OK for above-ground pool to freeze?

No! All pool types (in-ground, above ground, on-ground) need to keep water in the pool during winter, do not drain your pool to avoid the ice! In ground pools can pop out of the ground, and above ground pools can collapse inward, and the liner will shrink and discolor.

What happens if you don't winterize above-ground pool?

Without winterizing your pool, the water could turn green with algae. If the chlorine system stops functioning, you'll say adieu to the beautiful blue pool you know and love. Come spring, your pool will be a homely sight and cause a real dent in your wallet. Bacteria that feed on algae could even cause health risks.

Do I Need To Cover My Pool For The Winter?

Does your pool freeze in the winter?

Mild climate pools often freeze across the surface overnight. However, if the ice sheet becomes thicker than ¼” to ½”, it will put pressure on your pool tile and skimmers as the ice expands. Most pool tile is frost-free, but you should keep the water under the perimeter pool tile band to be safe.

When should you cover your pool for winter?

September and October are a good time to close the pool because the weather is ideal. It's still warm to be outside, enjoying the sun, even if you hate to say goodbye to summer. But once those temperatures start dropping significantly, you're going to kick yourself for not closing the pool sooner.

Do you need to cover an above-ground pool?

It's a Necessary Part of Winterization

You also need to cover the poor to help reduce damage and water contamination while it's not in use. Without a cover, you're inviting a number of different issues, including damage to the pool that can be bad enough to make it unusable.

How do I protect my above-ground pool?

Keep Your Above Ground Pool Safe
  1. Install fencing around the pool. ...
  2. Use only safety type ladders with a locking gate or ladder.
  3. If there is a deck around the pool or to it, use self-closing, self-latching gates.
  4. If you have doors leading to pool decks, add a door alarm.
  5. Teach babies and young children to swim.

Should my pool safety cover sag?

Safety cover sagging is okay, well in most cases. It is not the safety-cover that supports the snow and ice. It is the water underneath your cover that helps it and keeps it from sagging too much. Whoever sold you the cover should have warned you or directed you to read the directions.

Should I cover my pool when not in use?

Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs. Savings of 50%–70% are possible. Pool covers on indoor pools not only can reduce evaporation but also the need to ventilate indoor air and replace it with unconditioned outdoor air.

Can I leave my Intex pool up in the winter?

The lightweight materials Intex uses make it fast and easy to set up a pool. But this ease comes with the downside of the pool being more vulnerable to ice damage. Leaving your Intex pool out in colder temperatures can completely rupture your pool lining.

Should you cover your above-ground pool every night?

You should cover your pool every night for several reasons. First off, a pool cover saves energy and conserves water by decreasing the amount of make-up water. Also, it reduces the consumption of chemicals, and finally, it saves a lot of cleaning time since it keeps the debris out of the pool.

What do you do with your pool in the winter?

How To Winterize Your Pool in 8 Easy Steps
  1. Clean the pool.
  2. Balance the water.
  3. Remove pool accessories.
  4. Clean and backwash the filter.
  5. Lower the water level.
  6. Drain your pump, filters, heaters, and chlorinating equipment.
  7. Empty your chemical feeder.
  8. Cover your pool.

How much water should you leave in your pool in the winter?

Drain the water down to no more than 6 inches from the bottom of the skimmer if you plan to use a standard floating winter cover. Use your pool filter, switched to the "Drain" setting, to empty the pool water.

What temperature will my pool freeze?

What temperature does a pool freeze? A chlorinated swimming pool freezes at around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the same temperature as non-chlorinated water.

Does leaving a pool cover on cause algae?

So while a solar cover won't actually 'turn your pool green', it will warm your water by up to 8 degrees, so if the other conditions are right, adding a solar cover can easily accelerate algae growth, very rapidly. You need to get the water balance in your pool right before putting the cover back on.

Does covering pool make warmer?

When the water in your pool evaporates, it carries with it the heat, consequently cooling down your pool. So, if you can prevent evaporation, then you can significantly reduce the amount of heat loss. As such, covering your pool will help to warm the water up.

Is it OK to run my pool pump 24 hours a day?

The size of your pool, the efficiency of your pump and filter, and how dirty your pool is are just some of the factors you need to consider. Nevertheless, most pool cleaning professionals would advise against running a pool pump for more than 8 hours a day.

How do you winterize a above-ground pool?

How to Close Your Above Ground Pool in 10 Steps
  1. Step 1: Deep Clean. ...
  2. Step 2: Balance your Water. ...
  3. Step 3: Add Winterizing Chemicals. ...
  4. Step 4: Add Pump Protector. ...
  5. Step 5: Protect Your Return and Skimmer. ...
  6. Step 6: Prepare Your Filter for Hibernation. ...
  7. Step 7: Clear the Pool. ...
  8. Step 8: Set Up Ice Equalizer Pillow.

How do I store my Intex pool for the winter?

If possible, store at room temperature, and keep it away from any nesting mice, birds, or other critters that may chew holes through the vinyl. A large, clean, new trash can placed in the basement or garage may be an ideal location for winter storage.

Can above ground pools stay up year round?

A common question asked is, “Can above ground pools stay up year round?” And although the easy answer is that “Yes, they can,” whether you want to leave them up year-round really depends on the type of pool you have. Dismantling some above ground pools for the winter may be more hassle than it's worth.

Can you leave a pool covered all year?

A pool isn't designed to be stagnant during the warm months of the year, and pool covers deteriorate faster in strong summer sunlight. Leaving the pool closed all summer is a guaranteed way to end up with a green, smelly mess and permanent stains or damage to the pool surfaces.

How do I keep my above ground pool from sagging?

Tips on How to Keep Pool Cover from Sagging

Hold the edges of the pool cover with pins and metal locks. Remove debris and snow from the pool cover promptly. Use Styrofoam on the pool's water surface before adding the cover. Use a mesh cover.

Why do you need a pillow in an above ground pool?

Air Pillows are a winter closing essential for aboveground pools in colder climates. This rugged vinyl air pillow absorbs the pressure of freezing and thawing to protect the cover and walls of your pool. When your pool water freezes, the Air Pillow compresses to relieve pressure on your pool walls.

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