How to Safely Remove Snow From Your Pool Cover

If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, it’s important to regularly check and maintain your pool cover during the winter months. While it might seem like no big deal to leave snow on the cover, the reality is that it can cause significant damage to both your pool cover and, in some cases, your pool itself. Snow accumulation can place excessive weight on the cover, which could lead to tearing or even structural damage to your pool.

In this guide, we’ll explain why it’s crucial to remove snow from your pool cover and provide simple, effective methods for doing so.

Why You Should Remove Snow from Your Pool Cover

Snow may seem light and fluffy at first, but once it accumulates in large quantities, it becomes incredibly heavy. Just like sand on the beach, a little bit of snow isn’t a problem, but millions of snowflakes quickly become a burden. Here’s a quick illustration of how much weight snow can add:

• One foot of light, fluffy snow on a 10x8-foot pool cover can weigh between 250-350 pounds.
• One foot of wet, slushy snow (after it begins to melt) can weigh anywhere from 1,998 to 4,146 pounds.

For an above-ground pool, that same accumulation of wet snow can increase to over 5,000 pounds!

This extreme weight puts immense pressure on your pool cover, potentially damaging both the cover and the pool. Removing snow promptly helps protect your pool and saves you from costly repairs.

Potential Damage to Your Pool

While above-ground pools are designed to withstand significant weight, they are not built to handle the pressure of a heavy snow load on the cover. If snow continues to accumulate, it can strain the walls of the pool, pulling them inward and causing structural damage. If left too long, this pressure can even lead to the collapse of the pool walls, creating a costly mess to clean up in the spring.

For inground pools, while the structure itself is not at risk, the pool cover can become stretched and damaged by the excessive weight of snow. High-quality pool covers—especially safety covers—are expensive to replace, and too much snow can cause them to stretch, tear, or even pop out of the cover anchors, leading to more repair costs.

How to Remove Snow From Your Pool Cover

The best way to protect your pool is to be proactive about snow removal. Here are some steps and tools you can use to safely remove snow and prevent damage to your pool cover.

1. Use a Soft-Bristled Broom for Light Snow For light, fluffy snow, you can easily push it off the cover with a long, soft-bristled broom. Avoid using metal or hard-bristled brushes, as these can damage the pool cover fabric.

2. Use a Snow Removal Tool for Heavy Snow When the snow becomes heavier or slushy, it’s essential to use a specialized pool cover snow removal tool. These tools are designed to handle wet, compacted snow without causing damage to the cover. They usually feature a soft, wide edge to gently remove snow without tearing the cover.

3. Avoid Shovels or Sharp-Edged Tools Never use a shovel, rake, or any sharp-edged tools to remove snow. These can puncture or tear the pool cover, leading to expensive repairs or the need for a replacement cover.

4. Use a Leaf Blower for Light Snow Accumulation If the snowfall is light and the snow is still fluffy, you can use a leaf blower to blow off the snow. This is an efficient method for preventing snow from accumulating in the first place, especially after light snowfalls.

5. Use a Pool Cover Pump for Melting Snow If snow has already accumulated and begun to melt, you’ll need to remove the resulting water. A pool cover pump is an excellent tool for this job. It will pump excess water off the cover, preventing it from freezing and adding weight. Look for an automatic pump, such as the WAYNE Automatic Pool Cover Pump, which turns on and off by detecting water and includes freeze protection to ensure the pump doesn’t freeze in winter.

Additional Tips for Winter Pool Maintenance

• Use an Air Pillow: If you have an above-ground pool, consider using an air pillow under your pool cover. This helps absorb the pressure caused by ice expansion and prevents damage to the pool walls. It also helps to keep the cover taut and reduces the risk of water pooling on top of the cover.

• Regularly Check the Cover: Make a habit of checking your pool cover regularly throughout the winter, especially after heavy snowfall. The more often you remove snow, the less chance it has to build up and cause damage.

• Cover Maintenance: Keep the pool cover clean and free of debris to ensure it remains in good condition for the entire winter. If you notice any tears or damage to the cover, it’s important to address the issue immediately.

Conclusion

Snow accumulation on your pool cover may seem like a minor issue, but if left unchecked, it can lead to significant damage to both the pool cover and the pool itself. By using the right tools and maintaining vigilance throughout the winter months, you can prevent costly repairs and protect your investment.

At AQUASTRONG, we offer a range of pool products to help you keep your pool in excellent condition year-round, including pumps, covers, and snow removal tools. Stay ahead of the winter weather and keep your pool covered and protected!

For expert advice, maintenance tips, and the best pool products, check out our website and explore how we can help keep your pool running smoothly through all seasons.