Leaky winter cover

[ctwine]

I had the same problem with my cover in the third year, they just get old and fall apart. I have to cover our pool as we have trees around our entire backyard, so the leaves land on the pool no matter which way the wind blows. Someone else said it in another thread...budget a new winter cover purchase every third year (or fourth depending on winter severity). I purchased a $99 cover in September of 2004 and just purchased another one last week. I only use bleach before closing, never used Polyquat or other closing stuff. $33 to $40 per year to close is not a high price to pay in my book! Every year I've opened to crystal blue water! Also... we own a 27' round and I always purchase a winter cover for a 30' round (34' total diameter) to have that additional overlap which really helps keep, at least, some of the wind from getting underneath and I use two piece clips to hold the cover down.

[virangos]

3 years on a $99.00 cover isn't so bad. Thats about what I paid for ours. Like the idea of a bigger one.

[CoffeeBean]

We had the same problem -pea soup on opening so last year tried a solid cover. When I opened I had crystal clear water but only half a pool full! The short end of the story...The weight of the snow/ice pulled the cover into the water which forced it up and over the edges. The ice under the cover broke the skimmer plate into little pieces.

Another thread mentioned that the weight of the snow/ice/thaw put a strain on the spring tie downs. I didn't have that problem because I used concrete blocks but even then the cover pulled loose sometimes.

I thought of doing what you're thinking of doing but I think the weight of the stuff on the cover would seep through to the plastic and you'd have the same mess we did, maybe worse if the plastic sinks to the bottom.

CoffeeBean

[NWMNMom]

We put on an Arctic Armor micro mesh cover. They look just like solid covers but have a really finely woven material that lets the water drop through but not the crud. Open to crystal clear water each year, no swamp on top.

[virangos]

Sounds worth looking into, Thanks.
I think I'll abandon the plastic idea and leave the cover on until the leaves are done.

[b2001]

We put on an Arctic Armor micro mesh cover. They look just like solid covers but have a really finely woven material that lets the water drop through but not the crud.

On my 18' x 36' ag pool I've always had issues, even with air pillows, with the cover sitting on the water at some points and the water seeping back through to the leaves and crud so that it never dries out and remains a mess. It would seem that I'd have the same issue with the mesh cover.