Closing Question

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C

cedougl

0
Aug 24, 2015
83
Petersburgh, NY
I had a couple questions about pool closing, as that time will soon be upon us.

Last year, my cover had a couple tiny holes in it. I was not aware of this until water started seeping into the pool during the winter. This raised the water level on me. When the pool froze again, the ice heaved and pushed the ledge of my pool up. This lead to me needing to replace 12 of 18 uprights on the pool. Not fun or inexpensive.

Bottom line, I do not want a repeat of that this year! I am buying a new cover but had some questions.

1. For a 27' round pool our old cover was 32'. However, most covers for a 27' pool I see now are 31'. Should I buy a cover for a 30' pool, which is 33', just in case?

2. What is the main purpose for the pillows when closing your pool? Are they worth it? Or, would they help with my situation?

3. What else can I do to make sure the water/ice level never reaches the ledges in winter?

All thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

Thanks
Chuck
 
As far as I could tell, the water leaked under the cover through the tiny holes in the cover. This made the water level rise to the point where it was at the bottom of the ledge of the pool. The water froze and pushed the ledges upward, snapping the uprights at the base. We had a particularly nasty winter here last year, as far as snow and temperature, so this allowed more water into the pool than normal.

A new cover will keep the water out, but I was wondering if there was anything else I should be considering.

Thanks
 
Chuck:

We are talking about an AGP here? Correct! If your pool is at normal levels and you cover the pool, water will fill on the cover and eventually spill over, unless it freezes. What you may want to do is purchase a cover large enough to tuck in the pool, then fill up with fresh water so it holds and does not move around. Bring the sides down, secure with something to the ground. You could also take the ends on the outside of the pool and wrap string around the cover so it does not move.

I apologize for not understanding what exactly fell apart. Maybe a few pictures of the pool will help. In the past, there have been members that have shown how they cover the pool and what ideas they came up with. It took me about 3 years to figure out how to truly cover my IG pool with a tarp. The cover is so secure, that not even a leaf blows in the pool during the winter.

Please use the search box to potentially find some other ideas. Take care and please keep us posted!

- - - Updated - - -

covering an above ground pool site:[url]www.troublefreepool.com - Google Search[/url]

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In answer to one of your questions, I believe the pillow in an AGP is to create a 'hump' under the cover. In theory, this keeps rain and melting snow from pooling on the cover and allows the water to run off and over the sides. I would think for this to be effective, the cover would have to be kept securely taught at all times while in use.
 
Thanks for your replies. To be clear, last year I had my cover secured with the wire and grommet which usually come with the cover. So, it was taught and tight on the sides. Unfortunately, the cover had tiny holes in it which let water into the pool.

With a brand new cover, I think I will be good. I will give a 4'x4' pillow a try this year.

The cover I had last year for a 27' round pool was 32' wide . Most of the covers I see this year are 31' wide. Should I order a larger cover (for 30' round pool or 33' wide) or just go with the cover that is 31' wide? I guess I am asking if the additional width would be a good thing, or if it would make it harder to keep it taught.

Thanks
 
I have a 27' above ground. My cover is for a 27' so I can't help with that regard but if you're not able to buy a 27' cover I would go for the 30 and make sure the wire is ran through all the grommets and wound tight. Mine wasn't tight enough last year and blew off partial last year and created green water by time I was able to open it. This year, I'll tighten it more and if it comes off again, I'll fix it immediately instead of waiting till spring. I do not have a pillow but I do have this Amazon.com : Milliard Swimming Pool Cover Siphon - Water Removal Drain for Above Ground Winter Pool Coverings : Garden Outdoor I just bought it this year so I've not used it yet. I'm hoping that will keep the rain and water off my cover and not weigh it down. I think that's another reason my cover came off. Wind and too much water pressure on top of it. I hope my info is helpful.
 
Covering an AG pool where snow fall and freezing occur is asking for trouble IMO.

Reason, these covers get loaded down with snow and ice and this extra weight can and does pull the top sides of the pools inward. Cover it with a leaf net and before freeze up remove it.
 

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Just based on my experience last season at closing- if you're going to use an air pillow, i would go with the larger cover. Our cover (which came with the pool) was for a 24' round and there was barely enough overhang on the sides that went over the 4×8' pillow. Next cover i buy will be for a 27' round for sure, but making this one work until it craps out.
 
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