Oh, you threw a winter cover over your pool in the fall and figured you were done until spring? Adorable. While you were patting yourself on the back, leaves, dirt, and mystery gunk were having a festival up there. Now it is sagging under the weight of your neglect, and you are already dreading the mess.
Let us go through the mistakes you probably made, even if you think you are on top of things.
Mistake 1: Letting Leaves and Debris Pile Up
If your winter cover looks like a compost pile, you have waited too long. Debris traps moisture, adds weight, and can tear your cover.
Quick Fix: Use a leaf blower, broom, or skimmer net to clear the cover at least once a week.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Standing Water
Rain and melting snow collect on top of your cover. That stagnant puddle is a mosquito breeding ground and adds unnecessary stress on the fabric.
Quick Fix: Invest in a small cover pump to remove standing water regularly.
Mistake 3: Not Securing the Cover Properly
Loose covers let in debris, pests, and more dirt. If the wind lifts it, you are basically inviting winter grime into your pool.
Quick Fix: Check the straps, cables, or water bags monthly and tighten or adjust as needed.
Mistake 4: Forgetting Mid-Winter Checks
You think you can just set it and forget it for months. Meanwhile, your cover is slowly turning into a swamp lid.
Quick Fix: Do a quick inspection every couple of weeks. Remove debris, check water levels, and make adjustments.
The Brutal Truth Checklist:
- Remove leaves and debris weekly.
- Pump off standing water regularly.
- Keep the cover securely fastened.
- Inspect and adjust every two weeks.
- Treat winter cover care like part of pool ownership, not an optional chore.
Your cover protects your pool, but only if you take care of it. Neglect it, and spring cleanup will be a nightmare you brought on yourself.
