When should you cover your pool?

Author: Dr. Domenick Beahan  |  Last update: Friday, June 24, 2022

Even in the summer, leaves and other debris from the adjacent landscape can get into an uncovered pool. If you want the convenience of being able to quickly use your pool the next day, covering it overnight can help you achieve this goal, especially if your pool is near trees and other potential sources of debris.

When should you put your pool cover on?

When the water temperature rises, and sunny days grow longer, it can be hard to control algae growth without a pool cover. So plan on opening the pool about a month before normal, or when the water temperature rises into the 60's.

Should I put the cover on my 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.

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.

Should you cover your 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.

Do I Need To Cover My Pool For The Winter?

What happens to a pool cover when it rains?

Water accumulation can damage pool covers

Even the smallest amounts of water can add up, putting pressure on the seams of the cover and starting to weaken it. This pressure can cause rips in your pool cover and even make the cover collapse into the pool.

What do you do with a pool cover when it rains?

Many areas have wet or rainy seasons. During these times, you can leave your pool cover pump on your swimming pool cover and let the pump work for you. Every time it rains, the cover pump will automatically activate and evacuate the water when a certain amount collects by the pump and then shut itself off.

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.

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 you leave a pool cover on during the day?

In short, pool covers do not need to be kept on pools during the day. By covering the pool at night and uncovering it during the day, you can save time heating your pool's water. Because dry, windy weather may increase evaporation, it is recommended to remove the cover only on humid, sunny days.

Should you cover pool in summer?

Even in the summer, leaves and other debris from the adjacent landscape can get into an uncovered pool. If you want the convenience of being able to quickly use your pool the next day, covering it overnight can help you achieve this goal, especially if your pool is near trees and other potential sources of debris.

Should you cover an outdoor pool?

Installing a pool cover will reduce your water loss that occurs when the pool isn't in use. A pool cover reduces the amount of UV light coming into contact with the water. This is an important advantage as the pool chemical chlorine is degraded when exposed to UV light.

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.

How do you use pool blankets?

Keep Water off the Top of your Solar Pool Blanket

The water on top of your solar pool cover will evaporate and pull the heat through the blanket and actually cool the pool. Thus after it has rained, you need to roll up the solar pool blanked and drain the rain water off.

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.

Can you leave a pool cover on all the time?

The longer you leave your pool cover on, the more likely it is to tear and rip. The elements put stress on your pool cover which can then lead to damage. Additionally, debris and animals can cause rips and tears too. Be sure to take good care of your pool cover to keep your water clean and clear.

Is it OK to cover pool after shocking?

Solution. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Do I really need a pool pillow?

Do I Need A Pool Pillow? While they're not 100% necessary, winter pool pillows are incredibly helpful. They help protect your pool from expanding ice and promote even weight distribution, which is why we highly encourage them for pool owners.

Should I turn off my pool pump when it rains?

If your pool pump manufacturer has declared your pump is rain safe, you can leave it on in rainfall. Nevertheless, during a thunderstorm, it is highly recommended that you switch off and unplug your pool pump to prevent any costly and irreversible damages to your pool equipment.

How do I keep the rain out of my pool?

Lower your pool water level
  1. Turn off the pump,
  2. Change the filter multiport valve handle from "filter" onto "waste" (not backwash),
  3. Open any valves on the waste line,
  4. Disconnect suction cleaner & remove vacuum plate from skimmer box,
  5. Then turn the pump back on to lower the water level,

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.

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