When should I cover my pool?

Author: Constance Kuphal  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 25, 2022

In dry and/or windy conditions, the evaporation rate of the pool increases. Therefore, it is generally beneficial to have a transparent or bubble cover on during daylight hours. In warm, humid conditions the evaporation rate decreases. In this case, it may be more beneficial to leave the cover off during the daytime.

When should I cover my pool for the winter?

It is best to close your pool when the temperature of the water is consistently below 60 degrees. Once the water temperature drops below 60 degrees, microorganisms and algae cannot grow and become dormant for the winter season.

Should I cover my pool every day?

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.

When should you put a cover on a above ground pool?

They Keep Your Pool Clean

Your pool will quickly become very dirty, and it may even be unsafe to swim in if you leave it uncovered for more than a day or two. It also makes it much easier to keep your pool clean since the pool cover will catch all this debris.

Is it better to keep a pool covered or uncovered?

Conserves Water

A covered pool conserves water by losing less due to evaporation. This means you won't be filling up your pool as often as you did when you were cover-less. If you live in a drought area, using less water is the smart way to go.

Do I Need To Cover My Pool For The Winter?

Should I keep my pool covered in the summer?

We recommend it, yes. A pool cover does much more than just cover your pool in the winter. It can keep heat in your pool, keep leaves out of the pool, and save your chemicals and water from evaporating.

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.

Should a pool cover touch the water?

The cover is designed to touch the surface of the water. So your pool should always be filled when covered, and the water level should never go below 18 inches from the top of the pool. Check the water level of the pool and fill it up if it goes below 18 inches.

Will a pool heat up faster with the cover on?

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.

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

Pool Closing Mistake 1: Skipping the Pool Cover

For one thing, an uncovered pool will become a catch-all for leaves and debris. Those leaves will spend all winter stewing away in the bottom of your pool. In the spring, you'll be welcomed with a nasty, sludgy mess.

Can I leave pool uncovered in winter?

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.

Is it too early to close my pool?

Definitely close your pool before the temperatures fall under 30°F (-1°C) at night. As long as the pump is running, the water is moving, so it won't freeze. But if you lose electricity during a storm and it gets down below freezing, the water will freeze in the pump and filter.

What temperature is too cold for a pool?

No matter where you're swimming, avoiding water below 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a good rule of thumb for the average swimmer. The truth of the matter, though, is that 70 degrees is still pretty chilly. You'll probably have a better time if you wait for warmer water. In fact, you'll be safer, too.

How long does it take for a pool to warm up naturally?

Without a heater it very much depends on the weather. A number of hot sunny days or quite a few cool cloudy days, anything from two days to a month. It also very much depends on how much you want to get in the pool, ie are willing to try the pool at cooler temperatures.

How many degrees will my pool drop overnight?

A pool that is uncovered can lose up to 5 degrees F overnight; a good cover can cut that loss by half. Used at night or whenever your pool is not in use, the pool cover can help save fuel costs by cutting heat loss regardless of the type of heating you utilize.

What is the purpose of a pillow in a pool?

Sometimes also called an ice compensator, a pool air pillow is used to compensate for the accumulation of rain, snow, and ice that may build up on the pool cover over the winter months. By placing an air-filled pool pillow under the winter cover, you create a void in the water and on the top of the cover.

Can you run pump with pool cover on?

Is It Safe To Run The pool Pump With The Pool Cover On? It is safe to run the pool pump and filter with a swimming pool cover on. The pool cover doesn't in any way stop or hinder the pool pump from circulating the water or carrying out its function.

How many hours a day should you run your pool pump?

The rule of thumb is generally 8 hours, although it could be anywhere from 6-12 hours, depending on your pool's size. Each pool is unique, so to keep your pool pump efficient and effective, you need to figure out exactly what your pool's turnover rate is.

Should you cover your pool after you shock it?

Never close the cover immediately after shocking the pool. It is recommended to wait several hours before closing the cover. Use a test kit to regularly test the pool water. If the tests results are good, this does not imply the water chemistry was good prior to your current test results.

At what temperature does algae grow in a pool?

Keep your pool temperature lower

As I previously mentioned in my list of pool care essentials, having a thermometer to track your pool temperature is important because algae loves to grow in hotter temperatures––generally 85 degrees or above.

Do you cover pool when it rains?

When preparing your pool for a storm, leave it uncovered. Installing any kind of cover across the pool will not do much to protect against dust and contaminants because storms often bring strong winds and heavy rain that can cause the cover to lift off your pool.

Can you keep pool open all year?

Yes! You don't have to close the pool, and you can keep it open year 'round, with or without a pool heater. Or for those in very cold climates, you could also consider a very late closing and early opening, winterizing and closing the pool for just 3 or 4 months, instead of the normal 6 or 7 months.

How do I prepare my pool for winter?

Follow the steps below to prep your pool for the winter months.
  1. Step 1: Remove pool accessories. ...
  2. Step 2: Deep clean the pool. ...
  3. Step 3: Adjust the water chemistry. ...
  4. Step 4: Lower the water level. ...
  5. Step 5: Drain and store the equipment. ...
  6. Step 6: Add shock and algaecide. ...
  7. Step 7: Cover the pool.

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