Need advice: winter cover on AGP with partial deck

[Soximus]

Hello! New pool owner here. I've been reading up on how to winterize AGP's and I think I've got it figured out... except for one major piece: The cover. I've included a link to an imgur album that shows my predicament and attached the photos as well if that's easier for folks.

As you can see, it'll be impossible to drape the cover over the edge of the pool that abuts the deck. However, I *think* I could get a cable around 100% of the outside of the pool (in order to cable/winch down the 3/4 of the cover that won't have deck next to it).

Has anyone found a good solution to a similar situation? I was surprised that googling this issue didn't return many good ideas! Right now I'm thinking of doing typical cover with winch and wire around the part of the pool with no deck, and then anchoring the left over cover to the 2x4's on the deck fence (via ratchet straps/ropes through the free grommets on the cover). The part of the cover that can't go over the edge of the pool would be pulled taught and laying on the surface of the deck. However I'm not sure this will be effective at keeping out wind and precip, and it will definitely look hideous. Would I also need to pile sandbags on the decked portion of the cover to have any shot at this working??

Another idea would be to go without a cover, but that seems against every piece of advice I've read thus far...

https://imgur.com/a/oFKEgJQ

 

[Mdragger88]

Is that foam? Can u remove it & feed the cover in there? I have a deck 1/2 way around my 33ft pool & there’s a small gap that i can get the cover in w/ a little persuasion of the top rails in places

i just carefully wedge it all the way around then once its in it kinda moves more freely so i can get it where i want before I tighten the cable. I am also very adamant about keeping water pumped off the cover

 

[Soximus]

Is that foam? Can u remove it & feed the cover in there? I have a deck 1/2 way around my 33ft pool & there’s a small gap that i can get the cover in w/ a little persuasion of the top rails in places

i just carefully wedge it all the way around then once its in it kinda moves more freely so i can get it where i want before I tighten the cable. I am also very adamant about keeping water pumped off the cover

Removing the foam was my first thought as well. It seemed pretty tightly wedged in there! Although now that you've got me thinking about it again... Maybe the work/annoyance of replacing those foam pieces in the spring is worth it, if it means getting he cover on correctly?

 

[JoeSelf]

I run the cable under the deck. I tie the cover to the uprights on the fencing around the deck. My steps are old and have 2 weighted steps that sit in/on my wedding cake steps. I use these as ballast to hold down the cover. Tarp below the cover to shield the rug. Finally tie my steps in the corner, down to the deck and tight into the corner.

Cover at pool deck.jpg

• JoeSelf
• Sep 29, 2020

 

[Soximus]

I run the cable under the deck. I tie the cover to the uprights on the fencing around the deck. My steps are old and have 2 weighted steps that sit in/on my wedding cake steps. I use these as ballast to hold down the cover. Tarp below the cover to shield the rug. Finally tie my steps in the corner, down to the deck and tight into the corner.

Thanks, this is really helpful! Does rain/snow get into the pool by collecting on the lighter-blue tarp on the deck and sliding underneath the cover? Or... maybe that's no big deal / doesn't matter?

 

[JoeSelf]

Not much gets under. The tarp does not cover the entire width of the deck so any water will leak out thru the rug and aluminum decking.

 

[Pauls234]

From underneath you may be able to push up on the decking and slide the foam out, or maybe even slide the cover underneath the foam? Mine is very tight as well, but there is a little wiggle room to kind of muscle enough of a gap for that very thin cover to fit through.