Storing solar cover over the winter

[S1ngram]

I am interested to hear what the different ways are that members store their solar covers in the off season. My one season old solar cover was destroyed by mice over the winter. Apparently, my pool shed was mouse HQ for the winter. So nasty. Holes were chewed throughout. The floor was covered in blue confetti. The folds were full of mouse droppings and pools of urine. My pool shed smelled like a poorly kept livestock barn. I took it right to the dumpster. Not enough bleach in the world to sanitize that cover!

 

[AndyTN]

Do you have mice in your attic? (I hope not) I would store it there next year, which is where I store all my pool equipment during winter. My shed outside also gets mice in the winter so I only store the lawn mower/tools outside. It also seems like the heat in the attic in October would help dry any remaining moisture on the polaris or other equipment. I keep chemicals in a covered bin outside by the pool.

 

[gonfishin]

I keep mine on the reel. Roll it up after washing, cover with plastic, bungee it in several places, and leave outside near the pool on a stand so it's not touching the ground anywhere.

 

[borjis]

I keep mine on the reel. Roll it up after washing, cover with plastic, bungee it in several places, and leave outside near the pool on a stand so it's not touching the ground anywhere.

This is what I do as well.
Going on my 4th season with the same bubble cover. Surprised it's lasted this long, but I take good care of it
and always cover it up when it's rolled up in the reel during swimming season. I believe that is how
it is lasting longer than usual.

 

[Teald024]

I have kept mine on the reel, covered it with a tarp and taped closed so no critters & weather could get into it. Reel was set beside the pool along the fence. Solar cover seemed to handle it without an issue.

 

[S1ngram]

Great tips! I will try leaving it on the reel at the end of the season this year. I'll wrap it with a tarp and fasten it with bungie cords. What a no fuss way to store it. Each year of pool closing/opening is getting easier and I always learn something new.

 

[gonfishin]

Teald024, I never thought about taping the ends shut. I'm adding that to my fall close list. Might tape the whole tarp/plastic along the seam. I'm thinking if the bungees fail, maybe the tape won't. (Can anyone say belt and suspenders? lol)

 

[proavia]

I keep mine on the reel - remove the ends and hang the tube from the ceiling in the garage.