Winter Cover has fallen into the pool
If your pool cover has fallen into the swimming pool, you have a couple of ways to fix the problem depending on the temperatures. If the cover is frozen in the water then wait until the water thaws to pull the cover out. If the water is frozen please leave the cover alone and do not pull on it or it could cause more damage.
If your cover has slipped into the pool from too much water weight on the cover or a pool leak and the water is not frozen, here are some tips to fix the cover. First with the help of a few people, grab the edge of the pool cover and pull it up over the pool deck or top rail of the pool if possible. Secure the cover with water tubes for inground pools or cover clips for above ground pools without a deck. Once the solid pool cover is secured, start pumping the water off the top of the cover using a cover pump. If there is debris on the cover, it is best to remove it now using a leaf rake.
Once the cover is completely out of the water, inspect it for any damage. If there is no damage, you can re-cover your pool with it using either water tubes for pools with decks or cover clips for above ground swimming pools.
Tear or rip in the cover
When a cover is not properly maintained, even a Safety Cover will fail due to the elements.
Tears or rips on your pool cover can be caused by many factors such as tree branches, animals, water weight and wind. These are among the most common reasons for tears in the cover. The size of the tear and condition of the cover will help determine if the cover can be repaired or will need to be replaced. Patch kits are available for both winter covers and safety pool covers. These can be used to repair covers when the tear is not extensive. These patches will help extend the life of the cover through the winter.
Water, snow or ice buildup on the pool cover
When rain builds up on your pool cover or snow and ice starts to melt, you will see much more water on your cover. A cover pump should be used to remove water regularly from the solid swimming pool cover. These cover pumps are submersible and need to be connected to a garden hose. Cover pumps should be used on solid pool covers only. It is important to remove excess water weight to avoid tearing or the cover slipping into the pool. Too much water on an above ground cover can cause undue pressure on the top rails of the pool and cause damage. Snow and ice is something you want to try to avoid. Keep a cover pump nearby for when the snow and ice start to melt naturally but it is not advised to scrape snow and ice off of the cover. Shovels have sharp edges that can damage the cover and or swimming pool. It is always recommended to keep an eye on your swimming pool throughout the winter to help ensure your swimming pool survives the winter.
Ice Equalizer pillow has popped or deflated
Tieing an ice equalizer pillow in place will help keep debris and water within reach of the edge of the pool.
Do not get worried if your pool pillow has popped or deflated. This just means that the pillow has done its job! The purpose of the pool pillow is to compensate for the rain, snow or ice in your pool and on your cover. Placing an air filled pool pillow under the winter cover creates a void in the water and on top of your swimming pool cover. When rain, snow and ice accumulate, they will put pressure on the cover and cause the ice to push inwards towards the pillow. In many cases this can cause the pillow to deflate or pop which means it is doing its job. If the pillow was not there, the ice would expand outwards putting pressure on the walls of the pool and potentially causing damage to the liner and/or walls.
Keeping your pool cover free of debris
Eventhough you may not be swimming in your pool, it still does require some maintenance during the winter months. In order to make your job easier opening your pool, it is always a good idea to keep your pool free of debris. When leaves, sticks and other debris sit wet on the cover they tend to break down and are likely to end up in your pool when you go to open your pool in the spring. A leaf rake or leaf net can be used to help remove the debris off of the cover. Leaf nets are recommended for areas that do not see long periods of freezing temperatures. Also if you have a safety cover, a hose or leaf blower can be used to help take the debris off of the cover. Removing the debris during the winter will help make opening easier.