Do I Need A Winter Cover

by Jim
(NE Ohio)

I live in North Eastern Ohio and have owned 2 pools. Both above ground and have winterized both the same each time. I have seen three pools in my area that are never covered in the winter, they are used each year by the homeowners and they never winterize more than lowering the water level and pulling the pump and hoses, I have also not seen any liner replacement in the last five years by these same homeowners.

My question is this, why do i need to spend the extra time and effort to winterize and drain the cover if it is not needed. Please advise.

Hi Jim.

I think the biggest reason for a winter pool cover would be to lesson the pool clean up in the spring.

The leaves and dirt that accumulates on the pool settle to the bottom and have to be cleaned out before the pool can be used.

During the summer months the filter is running and the pool is being vacuumed on a regular basis. You do not notice the stuff that gets into the pool because it is always being cleaned out.

If spring clean up is not a problem a winter cover is probably not needed.

On my pools here in Arizona I have never used one. I try to run the filter and add some chlorine every couple of weeks, but that's about it all winter. In the spring I start the filter running daily and vacuum the pool. I have never had a problem with that.

I have also never lived in an area where the water freezes, or in an area where the pool would become full of leaves.

So I'm not sure there is really a right or wrong way, just whatever works for you.