How To Use Your Winter Cover [Inground and Above Ground]

Winter covers are a crucial part of keeping your pool clean and protected during the winter months. They help prevent leaves and debris from piling up in the water. The shade they provide, created from the dark underside of the cover, makes it less habitable for algae to grow. It also prevents excess water or chemical evaporation, helping to preserve the chemical balance of your pool. Winter covers can help mitigate the risk of freezing damage by acting as an extra layer of insulation. Now that you understand the basics of why a winter cover is important, let’s get into setup!

In order to properly set up an above ground winter pool cover, follow these steps:

1. Clean up any debris in and around your pool such as leaves, sticks, and dirt. Brush the sides of your pool and vacuum the bottom to make sure you get everything.
2. Use the Doheny’s Closing Kit to sanitize the pool and drain it to the recommended level for winter.
3. Place your Doheny’s Heavy Duty Air Pillow in the middle of the pool and tie each end of the rope on opposite sides of the pool to secure it. These pillows help control ice expansion and protect your pool if the water freezes.
4. Place the floating oxidizing dispenser from your closing kit into the pool.
5. Unpack your winter cover and spread it out over the pool. Leave an even amount of overhang around the pool as you go.
6. Use a ratchet and cable set to secure the cover.
7. *For added security, we recommend you use cover clips and winter cover seal wrap. These will help prevent wind damage and ensure that your cover stays on.

In order to properly set up an inground winter pool cover, follow these steps:

1. Clean up any debris in and around your pool such as leaves, sticks, and dirt. Brush the sides of your pool and vacuum the bottom to make sure you get everything. Don’t forget to check the skimmer baskets!
2. Use the Doheny’s Closing Kit to sanitize the pool and drain it to the recommended level for winter.
3. Blow out the plumbing lines and add in anti-freeze per the pool’s needs.
4. Remove the necessary drain plugs from your equipment and place them in your winter oxidizing floater.
5. Spread the winter cover out evenly over the pool.
6. Place your empty water tubes or water blocks around the pool on top of the cover.
7. Fill the tubes or bags ½ - ¾ of the way full to account for freeze expansion. Close and secure them afterward.

Want to learn more about pool covers? Check out our intro to pool covers blog!

Watch to learn more about using your water bags and blocks.