There are so many reasons you need above ground pool covers, and there are specially designed covers for all those needs. A solar cover can help your pool retain heat and even extend the swimming season in some areas. Covers keep water and chemicals from evaporating, thus reducing the amount of pool maintenance required. They keep leaves, sticks, and other debris out, making vacuuming your pool less of a chore. They help prevent accidents and keep out unwanted visitors, and they protect your pool investment from the winter elements, making next summers’ pool opening easier in the process.
Winter pool covers are mostly designed to protect the pool from the weather and keep tree limbs, leaves, and dirt from getting into the pool. With above ground pools, covers are held in place by a combination winch and vinyl cable assembly that goes through the grommets on the cover. Winter covers also block out sunlight, thus inhibiting algae growth. A winter cover will make it much less of a hassle when it’s time to open your pool again next year!
Some of the newer models of above ground pool covers are able to drain themselves without the help of a cover pump. They work by way of a drainage system that’s sandwiched in between the layers of the cover. You hook up the cover drain to your pool’s return line with the hose that comes with the cover, and it automatically drains itself of extra water. This removes damaging excess water weight from the pool cover all winter and eliminates the need for cover pumps, siphons, and air pillows.
Whether you choose a self-draining above ground winter pool cover or a standard one, invest in a cover that’s tough and durable enough to keep your pool safe from winter’s worst offenders, like snow, ice, and tree limbs. Super-strong woven polyethylene is a good choice, and you should choose a winter cover that is resistant to ultraviolet light. The best above ground pool winter covers will come with at least a 3-year warranty, and sometimes a longer pro-rated warranty.