What is a Winter Cover?

A Winter Cover is an essential part of closing your pool and reopening it in the spring. A winter Cover keeps debris out and protect the pool from harsh winter elements.

What are the benefits of a Winter Cover?

A winter pool cover will prevent leaves, dirt, and debris from entering your pool this Winter. With a winter pool cover, you will avoid that inconvenient spring clean-up caused by rain, snow, ice, and algae which can easily form in an uncovered pool. Winter Covers also prevent squirrels, pets, and other small animals from falling in your pool when they try to take a drink of water.

What are some features of Winter Covers?

• May Be Reversible
• Double Grommets every 2 feet
• Ultraviolet Light Inhibitor

How Do I Install and Use My Winter Cover?

WINTER COVER INSTALLATION - IN-GROUND POOL:

1. The cover rests upon and is supported by the pool water. Therefore, prior to cover installation, it is important to make sure the pool is not leaking.
   
2. Follow the pool manufacturer's/builder's winterizing instructions for your pool and accessories.


3. Consult with your pool dealer on the appropriate winterizing chemicals to be used. The pool must be chlorinated until freeze-up to prevent algae growth.


4. Although your winter cover is made of a tough material, it is required that you pad sharp corners, abrasive decking, protrusions, rough edges of the coping, etc. with old towels, foam remnants or corrugated cardboard, etc.


5. Lower the water level in your pool below the skimmer (approximately 18 inches down from the coping) to prevent freezing.


6. Lay out the cover on the ground, usually with the black side down, however some covers are reversible so follow your manufacturers guidelines and instructions. Proceed to spread the covert across the pool.
We highly recommend the use of Air pillows to absorbs pressure and help protect your pool walls. The Air Pillow also reduces excess rain, snow, and leaves on your winter cover, by puddling it in one easy to access area. Even more important, they assist in preventing pool walls from splitting due to water freezing.

7. For covers with straps, insert the unfilled vinyl water tubes through the straps around the complete perimeter of the pool. It is important to lay the water tubes end to end to prevent the wind from getting under the cover. A billowing wind condition can cause serious damage to your cover. If the tubes are to be subjected to freezing temperatures, they should be half filled, allowing for ice expansion to prevent damage.


8. When the cover is installed on the pool, it is normal for a small amount of water to seep onto the surface of the cover.

WINTER COVER INSTALLATION - ABOVE GROUND

 

1. The cover rests upon and is supported by the pool water. Therefore, prior to cover installation, it is important to make sure the pool is not leaking.
   
2. Follow the pool manufacturer's/builder's winterizing instructions for your pool and accessories.
   
3. Consult with your pool dealer on the appropriate winterizing chemicals to be used. The pool must be chlorinated until freeze-up to prevent algae growth.
   
4. Although your winter cover is made of tough material, it is required that you pad sharp corners, abrasive decking, protrusions, rough edges of the coping, etc. with old towels, foam remnants, corrugated cardboard, etc. Also, place padding underneath the winch (non-deck pools only).
   
5. Lower the water level in your pool below the skimmer and return lines (approximately 18 inches down from the coping) to prevent freezing.
   
6. Weave cable through grommets all the way around the cover. Insert one end of the cable through the hole at the end of the winch and into spindle. Insert the other end of the cable through the hole on the opposite side of the winch and into the same spindle. Pull both ends of the cable through as far as possible. Start turning winch to tighten the cover. If material bunches or gathers, simply walk around the pool and position neatly.
   
7. When the cover is installed on the pool, it is normal for a small amount of water to seep onto the surface of the cover.
   
8. For deck pools, place the cover over the pool with the black side down. Either weave the cable through the grommet and between the pool deck stanchions (posts) or run short pieces of cable from the grommet to the individual stanchions.
   
9. It is important to tie down the cover properly to assure that the cover is not subjected to wind damage.

How do I store my Winter Cover?

Winter Covers can be stored by folding them neatly so as not to crate an sharp creases of folds in the cover.Before storing your Winter Cover it is recommended and is generally good idea to, clean it and allow to dry thoroughly to prevent mildew. Store the Winter Cover in a clean, dry and rodent free area.

What are the various Winter Cover Warranties?

Our Good Covers come with a 8 Year Warranty / 1 Year Full. A super strong economically priced winter cover with a 3 foot overhang. Triple laminated polyethylene makes this cover lightweight yet strong. A GOOD buy at these prices! Blue on top / Black on bottom. 8 x 8 scrim per square inch.

Our Better Covers come with a 10 Year Warranty / 3 Years Full. A high quality, moderately priced winter cover with a 3 foot overhang. Tighter weave laminated polyethylene makes this cover lightweight, yet strong. A BETTER choice for a longer lasting cover. Green on top / Black on bottom. 12 x 12 scrim per square inch.

Our Best Covers come with a 15 Year Warranty / 5 Years Full. Our top of the line, triple laminated cover is super tough and has a 4 foot overhang. Maunufactured using the thickest and highest quality polyethylene available. Built to withstand the heaviest snow loads and UV ray exposure. The BEST choice for unsurpassed quality and vaule. Green on top / Black on bottom or Tan on top / Green on bottom.. 12 x 12 scrim per inch with a hemmed binding for durability.

What steps are involved in Winterizing my pool?

1. Several days prior to closing the pool, test the water for pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and chlorine. Adjust levels if necessary. It is important to get the water balanced to protect the pool from corrosion or scale buildup that can occur during the period the pool is shut down. Use a water test kit to test for:PH 7.2 - 7.6 Alkalinity 80 - 120 ppm Calcium Hardness 175 - 250 ppm Chlorine 1 - 3 ppm
2. Your pool needs to be clean before winterizing. Brush and vacuum sides and bottom. Use Crystal Chlor Granular Chlorinator get water crystal clear (set filter to waste bypassing sand). Clean the tile line with Tile & Vinyl Cleaner to remove oil and scum line. This will be easier to get off now before it sets on during winter months.
3. To help protect water quality during the winter months, use our Winterizing Kit. Follow instruction on product labels. Additional algaecide and shock can be purchased separately for larger size pools.
4. Clean the filter, skimmer, and pump basket. Remove all unused chlorine product from Chlorinator. Cartridge filter elements and D.E. grids should be sprayed with Filter Cleaner and rinsed clean with a garden hose. Sand Filters should be backwashed. Drain all water from your filter system and store or cover to ensure protection from the winter elements.
5. Lower water of pool below returns and skimmer. Never completely drain a pool - Hydrostatic pressure can cause damage. Using an air compressor or shop vac (attached to the blower side of the vac), blow water out of system by forcing air down skimmer and through the plumbing. Add Anti-Freeze to plumbing and install threaded winter plugs to return fittings to keep water out of lines. Anti-Freeze is a non-toxic formula. DO NOT USE AUTOMOBILE ANTIFREEZE.
6. Remove all drain plugs from pump, filter tank and any other pool equipment. Follow the manufacturers' instructions for your specific equipment. Place all drain plugs in pump basket for storage.
7. . Air pillows need to be inflated with a leaf blower or shop vac. Tie off air pillow in the center of pool, larger pools will require 2 or more air pillows. The air pillows will shed water toward the edge of pool for easier removal. They also allow forming ice to crack inward preventing damage to the shell or structure of the pool.
8. Install Winter Cover or Safety Cover according to Manufacturers directions. There are different covers for in ground and above ground pools.
9. Above Ground Pools: A cable and winch are included to fasten cover under top ledge of pool. Cover clips and Cover seal are also useful.
• In Ground Pools and Pools With Decks: Place water tubes end to end around edge of pool. Fill water tubes 1/2 full of water (do not over fill or expanding water will damage water tube). Water tubes are sold separately. Never use concrete blocks, bricks, etc to secure cover because they can damage pool cover or pool.
10. If you follow these easy steps in the winter. Spring Start up will be a snap!