Using Your Automatic Pool Cover as a Winter Pool Cover

Can Your Automatic Pool Cover Serve as a Winter Pool Cover?

Pool covers are extremely useful, and can prolong the lifespan of your pool equipment, as well as making your pool safer and easier to maintain. Automatic pool covers are particularly convenient, providing pool protection and safety at just the touch of a button. The question is whether or not automatic pool covers make good winter pool covers. Winter pool covers are thick and durable, sturdy enough to handle snow and ice, and usually made from opaque material that blocks sunlight. So, can an automatic pool cover function in the same way as a winter pool cover? The answer is a tentative yes, but with conditions.

Winterize Your Pool with an Automatic Pool Cover

If you live in a harsh climate, with heavy snow, it is probably best to get a dedicated winter pool cover. If your area has mild weather, and you plan to use your automatic pool cover in winter, there are some precautions you should take in order to use it effectively.

First, keep the chemicals balanced. Make sure the water is balanced before you cover the pool, and check throughout the winter season to ensure it stays that way. Consider a winter algaecide, especially if your cover is not opaque.
Lower the water level, but not too much. It’s a fine line, but the water needs to be low enough to protect the pool’s filtration system from damage, yet not so low that it doesn’t help support the cover.
Clean and lubricate your pool cover. Before closing the pool for the winter, make sure the cover is clean and free from debris. Lubricate the mechanism that retracts the cover, so that it will not freeze over the winter, and will run smoothly.
Keep the cover clear with a pool cover pump. The cover should be clean before you put it on the pool, and it needs to be kept clean throughout the winter. To manage this, keep a pool cover pump on the cover, plugged in all winter.

Using an Automatic Pool Cover in Winter: Can it Prevent Algae in the Pool?

Winter covers are designed to block out sunlight and prevent algae growth. Automatic pool covers are not always designed with this feature. This is one reason that using your automatic cover in winter can be challenging. This can be counteracted with algaecide and the correct balance of pool chemicals. However, there are other difficulties that may mean that an automatic cover is not the best option for your pool in winter.

Benefits of an Automatic Pool Cover Beyond the Ability to Prevent Debris in a Pool

Automatic pool covers are very good at keeping dirt and debris out of a pool, but that’s not the only reason they are popular. When used during the swimming seasons, they can actually extend the time that you can use the pool, by helping the pool to retain heat. They are sturdy and secure, able to support the weight of someone in case of an accidental fall into the pool, making them an effective safety measure. They help conserve water and energy, and dramatically reduce the amount of chemicals needed in a pool. The primary reason for their popularity, however, is their convenience and ease of operation.

The Downside of Using Your Automatic Pool Cover in Winter

The mechanisms that make automatic pool covers so convenient can also make them a poor choice for winter pool cover. The tracks typically attach to the underside of the pool coping, and the cover can be damaged if the pool water is too low or the snow and ice is too heavy. Automatic pool covers are also susceptible to UV damage and stains, and their fabric can be degraded by cold temperatures. That’s why it’s important to consider carefully whether or not your cover is up to the challenge of winter.

Millennium Pools and Spas: Service from Pool Maintenance to Automatic Pool Cover Repair

No matter what service you need for your pool, Millennium Pools and Spas is here to help. With over 30 combined years of experience in the pool industry, our family owned business provides a comprehensive range of pool services for both residential and commercial customers in Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland. When you hire Millennium Pool Service, you get a well-qualified, industry-trained staff of pool contractors and technicians, services that are tailored to your needs, and a commitment to 100% customer satisfaction. Contact us for more information.