How to Properly Install Your Pool Winter Cover

!±8± How to Properly Install Your Pool Winter Cover

Here are a few simple instructions for installing a winter cover for you're in ground or above ground pool.

WINTER COVER INSTALLATION - IN GROUND:

1. The cover rests upon and is supported by the pool water. Therefore, prior to cover installation, it is important to make sure the pool is not leaking.

2. Follow the pool manufacturer's/builder's winterizing instructions for your pool and accessories.

3. Consult with your pool dealer on the appropriate winterizing chemicals to be used. The pool must be chlorinated until freeze-up to prevent algae growth.

4. Although your winter cover is made of a tough material, it is required that you pad sharp corners, abrasive decking, protrusions, rough edges of the coping, etc. with old towels, foam remnants or corrugated cardboard, etc.

5. Lower the water level in your pool below the skimmer (approximately 18 inches down from the coping) to prevent freezing.

6. Lay out the cover on the ground, black side down. Then spread it across the pool.

7. For covers with straps, insert the unfilled vinyl water tubes through the straps around the complete perimeter of the pool. It is important to lay the water tubes end to end to prevent the wind from getting under the cover. A billowing wind condition can cause serious damage to your cover. If the tubes are to be subjected to freezing temperatures, they should be half filled, allowing for ice expansion to prevent damage.

8. When the cover is installed on the pool, it is normal for a small amount of water to seep onto the surface of the cover.

WINTER COVER INSTALLATION - ABOVE GROUND

1. The cover rests upon and is supported by the pool water. Therefore, prior to cover installation, it is important to make sure the pool is not leaking.

2. Follow the pool manufacturer's/builder's winterizing instructions for your pool and accessories.

3. Consult with your pool dealer on the appropriate winterizing chemicals to be used. The pool must be chlorinated until freeze-up to prevent algae growth.

4. Although your winter cover is made of tough material, it is required that you pad sharp corners, abrasive decking, protrusions, rough edges of the coping, etc. with old towels, foam remnants, corrugated cardboard, etc. Also, place padding underneath the winch (non-deck pools only).

5. Lower the water level in your pool below the skimmer and return lines (approximately 18 inches down from the coping) to prevent freezing.

6. Weave cable through grommets all the way around the cover. Insert one end of the cable through the hole at the end of the winch and into spindle. Insert the other end of the cable through the hole on the opposite side of the winch and into the same spindle. Pull both ends of the cable through as far as possible. Start turning winch to tighten the cover. If material bunches or gathers, simply walk around the pool and position neatly.

7. When the cover is installed on the pool, it is normal for a small amount of water to seep onto the surface of the cover.

8. For deck pools, place the cover over the pool with the black side down. Either weave the cable through the grommet and between the pool deck stanchions (posts) or run short pieces of cable from the grommet to the individual stanchions.

9. It is important to tie down the cover properly to assure that the cover is not subjected to wind damage.