Odds are, you won’t be using your swimming pool this winter. Keeping it protected with a quality cover throughout the season will limit your responsibilities come spring or summer. However, winter pool disasters can happen. By knowing what problems can occur at this time of year and having the number of a reliable swimming pool repair team, you can mitigate the potential damage.

Common Winter Swimming Pool Problems & How to Handle Them

Heavy Snow Drags the Cover Down

When placing a cover over your pool for winter, it’s crucial to tighten the straps as much as possible and weigh the cover down with full water bags or bricks. However, if snow or ice pile on top of it, the fabric may get so heavy that it slips into the pool. Keep an eye on your pool cover during winter storms so you can grab it before it completely submerges.

If it does, get a few strong people to help you retrieve it. You may have to slide a skimmer pole into one of the strap loops first and drag it towards you. Together, pull the cover back over and weigh it down again. Gently rake away any debris, and use a water pump to remove melted snow and ice.

Animals Damage It

Animals that wander through your property during the winter may damage your pool cover. This is especially likely if snow coverage makes it impossible to distinguish the cover from the surrounding ground. You can prevent this by maintaining a fence around your pool. If animals do manage to put a tear or hole in the cover, head to a swimming pool supply shop and purchase a winter patch kit.

Debris Causes Damage

During winter, heavy snow causes branches to snap. Wind can send those branches towards your pool, possibly piercing the cover. If this happens, a winter patch kit is all you need to set things right. You can also avoid this problem entirely by also picking up leaf rake attachments for your skimmer at a swimming pool supply shop. Regularly remove branches and other debris from the cover with them. Hopefully, your pool cover will make it through the season intact. If damage does occur, you can take pride in knowing you were as prepared as possible.

If you need swimming pool service in the Washington Depot, CT, area, get in touch with Distinctive Swimming Pools, serving the region for more than 75 years. They offer everything from basic pool repairs to full renovations. Contact them online to learn more about what they can do for you, or call (860) 868-3622.