Securing Pool Cover Options

Closing the pool for the winter is a tedious task, but it’s one that is definitely necessary.   When you live in a climate where you can’t use the pool during winter months, you need to make sure that you’re keeping it safe and ready to go once the weather warms up again.   So many people discuss the chemicals for winterizing, the various types of pool covers, and other elements involved in the process.   There’s one thing that people don’t talk a lot about that you should probably be aware of, however, when you are closing your pool.   What to use to weight or tie-down system your swimming pool cover for the winter.

 In Ground Pools

If you have an in ground pool, water tubes or bags are the best option.   These long, narrow tubes go around the edge of your pool cover to weigh it down and keep it in place throughout the winter months.   There are many sizes and styles to choose from when you need to buy these tubes, so you might have to shop around a little to get a better idea of what you can get.   You should always make sure that you’re only filling these about ¾ of the way because they will freeze and melt, causing expansion and potential bursting if they are overfilled.   These aren’t cheap, either, so you don’t want to waste them with careless mistakes.

You will probably also need stakes and tie downs to hold your pool cover in place, especially if the area immediately around your pool is grass, sand, landscaped or loose material.   Make sure that you have a setup that ensures that your pool stays covered and protected all winter long, no matter what kind of weather Mother Nature sends your way.   Some people prefer sand bags for the edges of their pool covers, and that’s definitely an option that you have.   You can buy sand bags for relatively cheap, and use them to weight the cover.   If you have patio umbrellas with weighted bases, you can even use those plastic bases as weights for your pool cover, creating a dual-purpose outdoor accessory to save time and money.

Figuring out how many sand bags, water tubes, or other weights you need depends on how big your pool is.   Typically, you will want these to go all the way around the outer edge so that no air can accidentally sneak in (or anything else).   You might have to measure the distances or know your pool size to buy the right amount of weights so that you can close your pool properly.

 Above Ground Pools

Above ground pools don’t typically use weights.   Because these pools are higher off the ground, the cover is usually tied down.   This can be done by getting a cover that ties to the pool frame itself, or by putting stakes and tie downs in the yard around the pool to hold the cover in place.   Sealing the winter cover is an excellent option for traditional high wind areas.    Every pool cover comes with different requirements, so you should check out your options to make sure that you’re getting the supplies that you need to keep your pool covered all winter long.

Above ground pools are a lot easier to close, typically, because they are less involved than in ground pools.   You will get cheaper supplies and have a faster closing, and you won’t spend as much on weights or tie downs because there will be less to secure.   It all depends on the type of pool that you have, however, so make sure that you do a little research so that you know what to expect.

Other Considerations

There are some cases where these are not the best options for securing your pool cover.   For example, if you use a skimmer type cover, you won’t need weights because of the way that the cover secures taut across the pool with stakes, tie downs, or other securing methods.   Read up on the cover that you are getting so that you know what is best for its specific installation in terms of keeping it in place for the next 6-8 months until you’re ready to open the pool again.

You should NEVER use concrete blocks, bricks, or other abrasive materials to secure your pool cover.   Not only are these not guaranteed to stay put or not crumble over the course of the winter, but they are also very likely to rip, pull, or damage the cover.   This can damage your pool, as well, which can lead to further problems.   If nothing else, they might cause the tubes or cover to get pulled into the pool during the winter, which can mean that you’ve got a big cleanup on your hands by the time spring rolls around.

Always be careful of what you’re doing when it comes to closing your pool.   Covers aren’t cheap and neither is the pool itself, so you have to be careful that you’re using the right products and methods so that you can protect your investments.

Shop Online for Selection and Deals

The best way to find the supplies that you need for winterizing your pool is to shop online.   Not only will you get more information about what you need and how to buy the right supplies, but you will find better deals and a much wider selection of pool products than you might be able to get locally.   If you shop around online, you can find all kinds of weights, water tubes, and other pool closing supplies that will make your job a lot easier and keep your pool in good shape until spring.

The internet offers you the chance to get better deals on pool supplies that you need.   Since you’re no longer limited to what’s available in your town, you can get a lot better products, as well.   Newer and more high-tech supplies and tools are out there and it’s easy to find the latest and greatest online.   With so much to choose from, winterizing your pool has never been easier.   Just remember to secure your cover correctly depending on the type of pool and cover that you have so that you can keep your pool safe and protect your cover from damage.

Above Ground Pool Cover with Air Pillow in Middle

A Step-by-Step Guide to Close your Above Ground Pool for the Winter

Step 1

Before closing your above ground pool, make sure the water is clean, clear and chemically balanced.  Adjust the chemical levels if necessary.  Chemically balanced water protects the pool from corrosion or scale buildup that can occur while the pool is not in use. Your chemical levels should be as follows:

• pH: 7.2 – 7.6
• Alkalinity: 80 – 120 parts per million
• Calcium Hardness: 175 – 250 parts per million
• Chlorine: 1 – 3 parts per million

Step 2

Remove all deck equipment, including ladders, stairs, etc.

Step 3

Brush down the sides and floor of your pool and then vacuum. This step prevents staining, which can occur if any dirt or debris is left to sit in the pool.

Step 4

Add winterizing chemicals by broadcasting them into the deep end of the pool. These chemicals help protect water quality during the off season months.

Step 5

Clean the filter, skimmer, and pump basket. Remove all unused chlorine product from the chlorinator. Cartridge filter elements and D.E. grids should be cleaned and stored.  If you have a sand filter, backwash it.

Step 6

Some people insert a skimmer guard into the skimmer and plug the return line. Others lower the water in the pool below the returns (where the water jets into the pool) and the skimmer. Either method is fine — the choice made is based on personal preference.

Important: Never completely drain an above ground pool. This can cause your pool to collapse.

Step 7

If your pool is plumbed with detachable, flexible hoses, remove them and store for the winter. Remove all drain plugs from the pump, filter tank, and any other pool equipment. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific pump, filter and other equipment.   Basically you’ll need to drain them so there is no water in them that could freeze and damage the pump or filter.     Place all drain plugs in the pump’s basket for storage and so you won’t loose them.

If your pool is hard plumbed, use an air compressor or shop vac (attached to the blower side of the vac) to blow water out of the system by forcing air down the skimmer and through the plumbing.

Step 8

If you are using an air pillow,  inflate it by using a shop vac.  Tie the air pillow at two places and position it in the center of the pool.  Tie strings to the pool wall so the pillow will not move during installation of the pool cover.  Air pillows are commonly used, but not absolutely necessary.  They are a good idea in colder climates in case the water freezes and expands.  The water will freeze inwards on the pillow instead of outwards which can potentially damage the pool wall.   Pillows are NOT used to create a dome-like effect to keep rain off of the cover.  Rain water will always settle around the pillow.

Step 9

Place an winter cover over the pool surface, black side down.  Some homeowners who have children or pets and have a deck with at least 3 ft of deck space all the way around their pool may prefer to cover the pool with a safety cover over the winter.

If covering your pool with a winter cover,  place the cover over the pool,  then thread the cable through the loops or grommets.  Use the winch provided with the cover to tighten the cable.   The cover should rest directly on the water and go up and over wall and back down on the outside of pool.

If your above ground pool has a deck, place water tubes end to end around the edge of the pool. Fill the bags 3/4 full with water.  Do not over-fill because the bags could burst when the water inside freezes.  Never use bricks,  concrete blocks, etc. to secure the cover because they can damage your pool cover or your pool.

Step 10

Place a cover pump in the center of your pool cover to drain excess water accumulation.  Too much water on top of the cover can cause the cover to rip, or it can pull the cover and wall bags into the pool.  Either way, you’re in for a messy cleanup effort.

Now you are ready for the winter!

Covered Pool, Ready for the Winter

A Step-by-Step Guide to Closing your In Ground Pool

Step 1

Before closing your pool for the season, make sure your pool’s water is chemically balanced.  Adjust levels if necessary.  Water that is chemically balanced protects the pool from corrosion and scale buildup that can develop during the off season.  Ideal chemical levels are as follows:

• pH: 7.2 – 7.6
• Alkalinity: 80 – 120 parts per million
• Calcium Hardness: 175 – 250 parts per million
• Chlorine: 1 – 3 parts per million

Step 2

Remove all deck equipment.  This includes ladders, rails, furniture, etc.

Step 3

Clean the floor and sides of your pool with an appropriate brush and then vacuum the loosened dirt.  Dirt and debris left in a pool for extended periods of time can cause staining.

Step 4

Add winterizing chemicals by broadcasting them into the deep end of the pool.  Winterizing chemicals help set the quality of your pool’s water during the winter months, which helps protect the cover, liner and pool walls.

Step 5

Clean the filter, skimmer, and pump basket. Remove any unused chlorine product from the chlorinator.  Cartridge filter elements and D.E. grids should be cleaned, dried and stored away.  If you have a sand filter,  backwash it at this time.

Step 6

Lower the water in the pool below the skimmer and the returns (where the water jets into the pool). Use an air compressor or shop vac (attached to the blower side of the vac) to blow water out of the system.  This forces air down the skimmer and through the plumbing.

Important: Never completely drain your swimming pool.

Step 7

Cap off return lines by using threaded plugs, or use expandable rubber plugs if your returns are not threaded.  Add anti-freeze by pouring it through the skimmer.  Use 1 gallon of anti-freeze for each 10 feet of distance from the pump to the pool.

Step 8

Remove all drain plugs from the pump,  filter tank, and other pool equipment.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific equipment. Place all drain plugs in the pump basket for storage.

Step 9

Place an in ground winter cover over the pool surface, black side down. Some pool owners prefer to use safety covers rather than winter covers, especially if the home has small children or pets.

When using a winter cover, place water tubes end to end around the edge of the pool. Fill the water tubes 3/4 full of water (do not over fill because the water tubes could burst when the water inside freezes). Never use concrete blocks, bricks, etc. to secure the cover because they can damage the pool cover or the pool.

Step 10

Place a cover pump in the center of the pool cover to drain off excess water that will accumulate over time. This is very important because too much water on top of the cover can cause the cover to rip or pull the cover and water tubes into the pool, making for a very messy cleanup.