You Just Closed Your Pool for the Season. Now What?
As the last leaves fall and the air turns crisp, the final, most crucial step in closing your in-ground pool awaits: putting on the winter cover. It’s a task that can feel daunting. You’re wrestling with a giant, heavy tarp, battling the wind, and hoping you get it right so your pool survives the winter unscathed.
A poorly installed cover is an invitation for trouble. It can sag under the weight of snow and rain, tear in high winds, or allow debris and algae to turn your crystal-clear water into a green swamp by spring. The good news? With the right preparation and a methodical approach, installing a winter pool cover is a straightforward DIY project that protects your investment.
This guide walks you through the entire process, from gathering your tools to securing the final anchor. We’ll cover solid safety covers, mesh covers, and water tube methods, ensuring you have the knowledge to tackle your specific setup confidently.
Gathering Your Tools and Performing a Final Clean
Before you even unfold the cover, success depends on preparation. Trying to install a cover over a dirty pool or without the right equipment is a recipe for frustration.
Start with a final, thorough pool cleaning. Use your net to skim out any remaining leaves, bugs, or large debris. Brush the walls and floor to loosen any sediment, and then run your pool vacuum to remove it all. This step is critical because any organic material left under the cover will decompose over the winter, staining your liner and creating a major cleanup headache in the spring.
Next, lower your water level. For most pools, you should drain the water to about 4 to 6 inches below the skimmer opening or tile line. This prevents freezing water from expanding and cracking your skimmer or tile. Consult your pool manufacturer’s guidelines for the exact recommendation.
Now, gather your tools. You will likely need:
– Your winter cover (solid or mesh)
– Water tubes or cover pillows (for solid covers)
– A garden hose and access to water
– A leaf blower or broom
– A partner (highly recommended for safety and ease)
– Your cover’s specific anchoring system (springs, winches, straps)
Understanding Your Cover Type: Solid vs. Mesh
The installation method differs slightly depending on whether you have a solid or a mesh safety cover. Solid covers are typically made of reinforced vinyl or polyethylene and block all sunlight and debris. They require a pump to sit on top to remove rainwater.
Mesh covers are made of a tight, permeable fabric. They allow rainwater and melted snow to pass through into the pool, eliminating the need for a cover pump, but they do let in fine sediment and some sunlight. Both types are secured with anchors embedded in the pool deck.
The Step-by-Step Installation Process
With a clean pool and your tools at hand, you’re ready to begin. Choose a calm day if possible; wrestling a giant cover in the wind is an extreme sport you want to avoid.
Step 1: Position the Cover Over the Pool
Lay the folded cover on the ground next to the pool, parallel to the longest side. With your helper, each take a corner of the folded cover and carefully walk it across the pool, unfurling it as you go. The goal is to drape it evenly over the water’s surface.
Do not just throw it in the center and try to pull it to the edges. This can drag debris into the pool and makes it much harder to get an even fit. Walk it into place gently.
Step 2: Align the Cover and Install a Cover Pillow (Optional but Recommended)
Once the cover is roughly centered, walk around the pool and adjust it so there is an equal amount of overhang on all sides. The cover should rest evenly on the pool deck.
For solid covers, installing an air pillow (also called a cover pillow) in the center of the pool is a smart move. Inflate the pillow with air and place it in the middle of the pool before you fully position the cover. The pillow creates a dome, causing rain and snow to run off to the sides instead of pooling in the center, which can stretch and damage the cover.
Step 3: Secure the Cover with Water Tubes or Anchors
This is the most critical step for keeping your cover secure all winter. The method depends on your cover type.
For a solid cover with a cable and water tube system: Thread the provided cable through the grommets around the cover’s perimeter. Pull it snug, but not tight. Then, place your empty water tubes (long, cylindrical bags) over the cable, spacing them evenly around the pool, about 3 to 5 feet apart.
Using your garden hose, fill each tube about halfway with water. The weight of the water-filled tubes will hold the cover firmly against the deck. Do not overfill them, as freezing water can expand and burst the tubes.
For a safety cover (solid or mesh) with a deck anchor system: This is the more secure, permanent method. The cover has straps with hooks or loops that correspond to brass or plastic anchors installed flush in your pool deck.
Starting at one end, hook the first strap into its anchor. Then, move to the opposite side of the pool and hook that strap. Continue working in a cross-pattern—north, then south, then east, then west—to keep tension even. A cross pattern prevents the cover from being pulled to one side.
Most safety covers use springs or a winch system on the straps to create final tension. Once all straps are hooked, go around and tighten each spring until the cover is drum-tight, with no significant sagging. You should not be able to easily lift the cover more than a few inches off the deck.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Problems
Even with careful planning, issues can arise. Here’s how to handle the most common winter cover challenges.
The Cover is Too Loose or Sags in the Middle
A sagging cover is a failing cover. It will collect water and debris, putting immense stress on the material and anchors. For water tube systems, ensure tubes are placed close enough together (every 3-4 feet) and are adequately filled. For safety covers, re-tighten all springs in a cross pattern. If the cover is old and permanently stretched, it may be time for a replacement.
Wind is Getting Under the Cover
If you see or hear the cover flapping, it’s not secure enough. Wind can shred a loose cover in a single storm. Double-check that all water tubes are full and in contact with the deck, or that all safety cover springs are maximally tightened. For persistent wind issues in open areas, you can place additional sandbags or landscape pavers on the deck over the cover’s edge for extra hold.
Water is Pooling on a Solid Cover
This is the primary job of your cover pump. As soon as you see a puddle forming, place a submersible cover pump in the lowest point. Run the discharge hose away from the pool to prevent the water from just running back under the cover. An automatic pump that turns on when it senses water is a great investment. Never let more than a few inches of water accumulate, as the weight can damage the cover and its supports.
Winter Maintenance and Safety Precautions
Your job isn’t done once the cover is on. Periodic checks throughout the winter are essential for longevity and safety.
After heavy snowfalls, use a soft-bristled broom or a specialized cover brush to gently push snow off the cover. Do not use a shovel, as it can puncture the material. Removing excess snow reduces weight and stress.
Regularly check the tension of straps or the condition of water tubes. Refill tubes if they have lost water, and retighten springs if they have loosened. Always keep the area around the pool clear of toys, furniture, and debris that could blow onto the cover.
Most importantly, never, ever allow anyone to walk on the pool cover. Even a safety cover rated for weight is not designed for recreational use. It is a safety device to prevent accidental falls into the pool, not a trampoline or ice rink. The risk of falling through into freezing water or becoming trapped under the cover is extreme.
From Winter Protection to Easy Spring Opening
A properly installed winter cover is the cornerstone of an easy spring opening. When you remove the cover in a few months, you’ll find clear water with minimal debris, saving you days of cleaning and hundreds of dollars in chemicals.
The process we’ve outlined—clean pool, lower water, align carefully, and secure methodically—transforms a burdensome chore into a manageable routine. By taking the time to do it right, you’re not just covering your pool; you’re actively preserving it, ensuring it’s ready to provide another season of enjoyment with minimal fuss.
Your final action after installation is to store your closing tools and make a note to check the cover after the next big storm. Then, you can truly relax, knowing your pool is securely tucked in for its long winter’s nap.
