Having a swimming pool in the backyard can be a great way to enjoy the warmer weather and have some family fun—but what about when the weather turns, and it begins to snow? All-American Pools in Cincinnati, OH, wants you to be aware of how to handle the snow to ensure your pool remains protected during winter and reduce damage to your pool cover. Below, they explain what you should do if you wake up to a blanket of snow on your pool cover. 

How to Deal With Snow on Your Swimming Pool Cover 

A Little Snow Is No Problem 

If there’s an accumulation of two feet of snow or less on your swimming pool cover, there’s no reason to worry; most pool covers will be designed to handle much more weight. However, if the snow begins to thaw, and you don’t have a mesh cover that will drain into your swimming pool, you need to be ready to pump some of that water off your cover to keep it from sagging and warping. If your pool appears to be under more than two feet of snow, it may be beneficial to remove around a foot of it to help improve drainage. You can do so by scraping it away with a plastic shovel, taking care not to damage the pool cover underneath.

Pay Attention to Swimming Pool Water Levels 

The water in your pool helps alleviate some of the stress your pool cover receives from the weight of snow, so it’s important to keep an eye on the water levels. If you know your pool has a slow leak, try adding water throughout the winter to maintain its water levels; there should always be around three to 12 inches of space below the skimmer opening. When your pool’s water levels sink below this line, your cover will struggle to deal with the weight of snow and often collapse into your pool. 

Snow Can Melt & Freeze 

Another reason why investing in a pool cover pump is so important is that snow will often melt and refreeze onto your pool cover, adding more weight. But a quality pump will help you avoid such a scenario: Many will automatically turn on when submerged below a certain point. Installing air pillows to float in your pool will also help channel water to your cover pump. 

Swimming pool maintenance during the winter can be a lot of work, especially for new pool owners, so if you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask All-American Pools. Call them today at (513) 522-7161 to learn more about their services. You can also visit them online for a closer look at what’s made them one of Hamilton County’s leading pool installation companies.