As the temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches, it’s time to start thinking about protecting your above ground pool with a deck. A winter pool cover is an essential investment to safeguard your pool and deck from the harsh winter elements. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to put a winter cover on an above ground pool with a deck, ensuring your pool is ready for the cold season and remains in excellent condition until spring.
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s briefly discuss why using a winter cover is crucial. A high-quality winter cover helps prevent debris and snow from accumulating in your pool, reducing the risk of algae growth and making spring opening easier. It also protects your pool’s liner and prevents water evaporation, saving you money on water and chemicals. Additionally, a winter cover helps maintain your pool’s chemical balance, making it easier to balance the water once you open your pool in the spring.
Choosing the Right Winter Cover
Before you begin the installation process, it’s essential to choose the right winter cover for your above ground pool with a deck. There are two main types of winter covers: solid and mesh. Solid covers are designed to prevent water and debris from entering the pool, while mesh covers allow water to pass through but prevent large debris from accumulating. For pools with decks, a solid cover is typically the better choice as it provides better protection against debris and snow.
When selecting a winter cover, ensure it’s designed to fit your pool’s size and shape. Measure your pool’s diameter and depth, and choose a cover that is slightly larger than your pool to account for the deck. Also, consider the cover’s weight and thickness, as these factors contribute to its durability and effectiveness in protecting your pool.
Gather Necessary Equipment
Before you start the installation process, gather all the necessary equipment to ensure a smooth and efficient winterization process. You’ll need the following items:
- A winter cover designed for your pool’s size and shape
- Winter cover cable and winch
- Cable tensioning tool
- Scissors or a sharp knife for trimming excess cover material
- Pool cover pump (optional, but recommended for solid covers)
- Winterizing chemicals
Prepare Your Pool for Winterization
Before installing the winter cover, it’s crucial to prepare your pool for winterization. This process involves balancing your pool’s chemicals, lowering the water level, and adding winterizing chemicals to protect your pool during the cold months.
First, test your pool water and adjust the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Next, lower the water level to about 18 inches below the skimmer opening to prevent water from freezing and damaging the skimmer. Finally, add winterizing chemicals to your pool, following the manufacturer’s instructions to protect your pool’s liner and prevent algae growth.
Installing the Winter Cover
Now that your pool is prepared for winterization, it’s time to install the winter cover. Follow these steps to ensure a proper and secure installation:
Laying Out the Winter Cover
Begin by laying out the winter cover on a flat surface, such as your pool deck or a driveway. Ensure the cover is laying flat and smooth, with no wrinkles or creases. If your cover has a center pole, make sure it’s positioned correctly and facing the right direction.
Once the cover is laid out, carefully fold it in half, then fold it again into a manageable size that can be easily lifted and placed onto your pool. Be cautious when handling the cover to avoid damaging it or causing unnecessary wear and tear.
Placing the Winter Cover on the Pool
With the help of a friend or family member, carefully lift the folded winter cover and place it onto your pool. Center the cover over the pool, ensuring it covers the entire pool surface, including the deep end and the pool’s edges.
Once the cover is in place, begin unfolding it, starting from the center and working your way out to the edges. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases as you unfold the cover, ensuring it lays flat and evenly across the pool surface.
Securing the Winter Cover
After the winter cover is laid out flat and smooth, it’s time to secure it to your pool and deck. Most winter covers come with a cable and winch system designed to hold the cover in place and provide tension to prevent it from blowing off or shifting during strong winds.
Begin by attaching the cable to the winter cover, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, the cable is attached to the cover’s perimeter, with evenly spaced intervals to ensure proper tension and support. Once the cable is attached, use the winch to pull the cable taut and secure it to the cover’s anchors or the pool’s coping.
Trimming the Winter Cover
After securing the winter cover, you may notice that there is excess material along the edges. To ensure a clean and secure fit, trim the excess cover material using scissors or a sharp knife. Be cautious when trimming the cover to avoid damaging the material or causing unnecessary wear and tear.
Once the excess material is trimmed, use the cable tensioning tool to adjust the cable’s tension, ensuring it’s taut and secure. This will help prevent the cover from shifting or blowing off during strong winds.
Installing a Pool Cover Pump (Optional)
If you’ve chosen a solid winter cover, it’s a good idea to install a pool cover pump to remove excess water and snow from the cover’s surface. This helps prevent water from accumulating and freezing, which can damage the cover and cause it to sag or collapse under the weight of the snow.
Position the pool cover pump in the center of the winter cover, ensuring it’s facing the right direction to drain water effectively. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to connect the pump to a garden hose or a nearby GFCI outlet, and test the pump to ensure it’s working correctly.
Caring for Your Winter Cover
Proper maintenance and care of your winter cover are essential to ensure its longevity and effectiveness in protecting your pool. Here are some tips to help you care for your winter cover throughout the winter season:
Monitoring the Winter Cover
Regularly inspect your winter cover throughout the winter season to ensure it’s still in good condition and properly secured. Check for any signs of wear and tear, such as tears, punctures, or loose cables, and address any issues promptly to prevent further damage.
Additionally, remove any excess water or snow from the cover’s surface using a pool cover pump or a broom with a long handle. This helps prevent water from accumulating and freezing, which can damage the cover and cause it to sag or collapse under the weight of the snow.
Cleaning Your Winter Cover
At the end of the winter season, before removing the winter cover, clean it thoroughly to remove any dirt, debris, or algae that may have accumulated during the winter months. Use a soft-bristled brush or a pool cover cleaner to gently scrub the cover, removing any stains or discoloration.
After cleaning the cover, rinse it with clean water and allow it to dry completely before storing it for the summer season. Ensure the cover is stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, to prolong its lifespan and maintain its effectiveness in protecting your pool.
In conclusion, properly installing and caring for a winter cover is essential to protect your above ground pool with a deck from the harsh winter elements. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure your pool remains in excellent condition throughout the winter season, making the spring opening process easier and more enjoyable. Don’t forget to inspect your winter cover regularly and address any issues promptly to maximize its lifespan and effectiveness. Happy winterizing!
