Did you notice? The calendar page turned over at midnight and now it is August. While the forecast still calls for summer temperatures well into the next few weeks, it is certainly not too early, nor too hot, to pull out your pool’s winter cover and inspect it. This will allow enough time to order and apply any patches and repairs necessary and also give you plenty of time to order a custom, well-fitting cover if necessary.
Our pools are predominantly Gunite pools, and all are inground pools. This means all our winter covers are secured via the straps of the winter covers being anchored into the surrounding deck or lawn. For vinyl and other above ground pools, a simple tarp is often used, tented over a floating air pillow, and secured on the deck by weighted bags. This is a fine technique and serves many homeowners well. It also requires more regular inspection and maintenance, as tarp edges can be pulled loose by accumulated weight on the cover due to rain and snow, or the weights being knocked loose for any number of reasons.
What to look for when inspecting a winter cover:
The tight pulled mesh safety cover anchored around the pool deck is ideal for many reasons. It is much less likely to come loose, and is a high-quality safety barrier, preventing accidental falls into the pool by people and animals alike. It is an excellent guard against plant material and other debris getting into your closed pool, which can mess with your chemical balance and lead to staining. The mesh is tight enough to keep all these hazards out, yet porous enough to allow rain and melting snow to fall through into the pool, which is done to extend the life of your winter cover by minimizing the chance of stretching, puncturing, and tearing.
(Custom fit winter covers are necessary for the health and safety of your pool.)
Nothing is permanent, however, and regularly inspecting your cover can go a long way to making sure it is in healthy working order and could even save you money in the long run.
Many pool professionals recommend inspecting your cover towards the end of the summer (sometimes mice and other critters find these rolled up covers to be ideal nesting locations during the summer months), carefully checking for any holes or punctures. Caught early, these can be patched, and you can earn at least another season or two out of your cover. Inspect all the seams and stitching—those straps will only hold the cover and anchors if they are not compromised. Make sure you have all necessary anchors and springs, test the integrity of the buckles. Ensure all your hardware is rust free and whole. If the cover has been through a few seasons, it may begin to stretch out. When this happens, the solution could be as simple as tightening the straps. Or, if the sagging is a result of material fatigue, the solution will likely be to completely replace the cover. Your pool maintenance provider will be able to guide you when it comes to stuff like this
When to patch a winter cover:
When a hole or puncture is the size of or smaller than a US quarter coin, and not near the stitching or seam of the cover. Any bigger than an inch or two across, and it becomes harder and less effective to patch. Speak with your pool maintenance provider if you have any questions on the most effective course of action.
To patch, use a patented patch of the same material as your cover. Cut two identical pieces of patch material. Make sure the area around the hole you are patching is clean and dry. Then you’re going to sandwich that hole between the two patch pieces. Allow the cover to sit a while to allow those patches to really adhere before storing it or installing it on the pool.
When to replace a winter cover:
Any other damage to the cover may result in replacing the cover entirely. If the cover material feels brittle or thin, it could be a sign of UV damage, and it’s time for a new cover. Keep in mind that the cover must be custom fit to the pool. There’s really no option for substituting or cutting corners when it comes to winter safety cover standards. The life of a mesh safety cover depends entirely on environment and care. Even the best cared for covers are susceptible to UV damage and rodent damage.
A winter safety cover is your pool’s best defense against harsh elements, fallen debris, and unexpected accidents. But its effectiveness is directly correlated to the condition it is in. With regular inspection, you can increase its effectiveness and sometimes extend its life. When in doubt, replacing a compromised cover is always the right answer.