Winter Maintenance Guide for Automatic Swimming Pool Covers

Closed inground pool covered by a brown automatic pool cover. The pool is surrounded by a concrete border, a black brick paver border, and a stamped concrete patio. Along the back-length of the pool is a retaining wall. A fence is behind the retaining wall. Houses can be seen in the background.

The process of purchasing and installing an inground pool comes with a lot of considerations. “What type of pool do I want? How much am I willing to spend? How much pool maintenance am I willing to do? What type of cover do I want?”

That last question is an interesting one. When it comes to inground pools, your two main options for winter safety covers are: mesh or solid manual covers OR automatic pool covers.

You may be surprised to hear that automatic pool covers can double as winter covers. The main thing that auto covers offer is convenience–the power to open your pool with just the click of a few buttons. This convenience extends to when you have to open your pool. Opening an auto cover at the start of the season is a lot easier than removing a manual cover!

With that being said, you cannot leave your auto cover alone throughout the winter. Auto covers do require some maintenance throughout the winter to ensure complete and total protection of the pool.

Royal Pools G2 Landscaping installs and services inground pools throughout Northwest Indiana and south Chicagoland, many of which feature automatic pool covers. Knowing how to take care of your auto cover in the winter will not only ensure that the cover protects the pool, but that the cover opens smoothly come spring when it’s time to open the pool.

Below is a list of manufacturer-approved recommendations to maintain your automatic swimming pool cover during the winter. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Automatic Cover Winter Maintenance Tips

During the winter the proper water levels must be maintained as the water in the pool supports the ice and snowmelt build-ups. The water level in the pool must not be lowered more than 5“ from normal operating levels during winterization, and this level is the minimum level that must be maintained whenever the cover is closed over the pool.
The cover pump must be on the cover at all times to remove water that could collect on top of the pool cover. Because of freezing, the pump and discharge hose will need to be monitored. Attempting to break and remove snow or ice from the cover can cause damage to both the cover itself and or the guides.
DO NOT attempt to operate the cover if the pool water is low, or if the cover has water, snow or ice on it.
There are risks associated with using the automatic pool cover as a winter cover, such as if the water level drops below the recommended level. If the pool loses water because of a leak, due to holes in the cover, or for any other reason, this could cause the guides to pull down, possibly damaging the material to which it is attached as well as the cover fabric itself. However, if there is adequate slack in the cover and the water level is properly maintained, there is a reduced risk of problems occurring.
The cover is not warranted against damage due to winter use, just as the warranty does not cover damage due to such things as mudslides, earthquakes, falling trees, animals or other acts.
Leaves and debris should be removed as they accumulate on the cover because they cause excess weight and can stain the cover.
A cover should only be used as a winter cover if it has the proper slack. Proper slack is determined by where the cover touches the water. When the water level is lowered, the cover should normally touch the water no more than 12” from the edge of the pool. Actual slack requirements may vary depending on local conditions.
Another consideration has to do with the longevity of the cover. The cover will NOT last as long when used as a winter cover because of exposure to the elements. If it is not used as a winter cover, it should be cleaned and rolled up during the wintertime.
If the leading edge bar is lowered for the winter to assist in keeping out leaves and debris, make sure it is reset to the proper height in the spring to operate without damage.
We recommend your system be maintained each spring: clean and flush the guides, lube the system and clean and protect the cover.

Conclusion

The main reason for many homeowners to purchase an automatic cover with their inground pool is the convenience. With a product like an inground pool, protecting your investment should be at the top of your priority list. In the case of auto covers, they are an investment on TOP of your overall investment in an inground pool. They deserve the same protection.

For more information on automatic swimming pool covers, check out the articles below. For more educational content on all things pools and landscaping, head over to our learning hub at the top of the page. Thanks for reading, have a great day!

Automatic Pool Covers: How Do They Handle the Winter?

Auto Covers vs Manual Winter Covers: Cost, Pros and Cons

How To Clean Your Automatic Swimming Pool Cover

Written by Logan Edgemon