This article covers four ways to get water off a swimming pool cover.
I always use a pool cover during the off-season to keep the pool water clean. However, one thing that really bothers me is when I encounter rainwater on top of the cover. If I am not careful, this excess liquid can enter the pool once I open the pool for the swimming season.
I regularly drain water off my pool cover before removing it. Doing so can prevent the rainwater from spoiling my pool.
If you are clueless about how to do this, fret not! This article will discuss the best methods to get water off your pool cover.
Should You Drain Water Off Pool Cover?
Yes, it is important to remove excess water from your solid pool cover. This water build-up usually comes from heavy rain and snow during the winter. Once the summer season returns, any snow that has collected on the cover will melt and become liquid.
When left untouched, the excess water on the cover can trickle into the swimming pool. It displaces the clean pool water and increases the risk of drowning. Furthermore, the continuous weight of the water puts strain on the pool cover. It can result in holes or tears and ultimately shorten the cover’s lifespan.
Thus, draining water off the pool cover is an essential task to complete before opening your pool for the swimming season. Doing so can keep you safe and maintain the pool cover’s quality.
How To Remove Water From A Swimming Pool Cover?
Below are four effective ways of removing water from your inground or above-ground pool cover.
Use a Garden Hose to Siphon Water
Siphoning water is a simple yet effective method to get rid of leftover water on the pool cover.
You will need a garden hose to draw out the excess water. Make sure it is long enough to reach your outside faucet. Now, attach one end of the hose to your water supply. Fix any kinks or bends to ensure the water flows properly.
Then, place the other end of the garden hose on the edge of the pool. Consider weighing it down with a brick. Next, start the faucet and let it run for around a minute or until you see air bubbles inside the pool.
After a minute or so, you can turn off the faucet so the water stops immediately. Quickly disconnect the water hose end from the faucet and place it on the ground. Doing so creates a suction that will start draining off water from your cover.
However, take note that this process might not get all the water from a pool cover. And when you manually siphon the water, it can take a long time, especially if more water is on the covered surface. You must also keep an eye on the garden hose while it is draining to prevent starting from scratch again.
Get a Bucket
Another straightforward way to remove pool cover water is using a bucket. It does not require any special equipment or tools.
All you need is a bucket to scoop excess water from the swimming pool cover. Get one with a wide enough opening for pouring out water. You might also want to consider its size, especially if you will encounter railings or pool walls while carrying the water bucket. Choose one that fits within arm’s reach for an easier task.
If you own an inground pool, make sure the cover is strong enough to stand on before picking up excess water. You do not want to risk your safety, so consider other methods if it is not durable.
Consider a Shop Vac
You can also get a shop vac to remove water from a pool cover.
A shop vac, also referred to as a wet/dry vacuum, features a more powerful motor than a standard vacuum cleaner. It produces strong suction to pull in both liquid and dust particles with ease. Hence, it is also popular among pool owners to get excess water off.
However, take note that shop vacs can only take in so much water and debris. You will find yourself stopping to empty their contents several times, especially if you have a large in-ground pool cover. So, expect to take a long time when getting large quantities of water off the cover surface.
And before using a shop vac, ensure the cover can withstand your weight and the vacuum. That is because you will need to balance and climb on top of the pool cover if you own an above-ground pool.
Invest in a Pool Cover Pump
Pool owners who want to automate the water removal process and save time can purchase a pool cover pump.
A pool cover pump uses a hose attachment to remove water completely from the cover. But unlike manual siphoning, it automatically removes water and relies on electricity. Thus, it allows you to take out the cover immediately once summer arrives and swim in the pool.
See our top picks for the best pool cover pumps.
A pool cover pump requires the proper installation to work efficiently. Follow the steps below to ensure ideal working conditions. First, remove any dirt and debris stuck on the cover before placing the sump pump. Doing so can prevent clogging up the pump.
Once the surface is clean, attach one end of the water hose to your swimming pool pump. Place the other end onto the water.
Now, place the electric pump on the water. You can do this in two different ways, depending on the pump design. Some models require you to put the entire pump in the water, while others have a suction hose that is submerged instead.
Then, lay down the other end of the pump. Position it away from the pool and house so that the water can flow freely.
Finally, connect your pool pump to an electrical outlet and turn it on. Leave it running until it removes all the water from your cover. After all the water has been drained, do not forget to clean off any debris left on the pool cover surface. Then, you can take it off and swim in the pool.
It is also essential to maintain this pool equipment so that it can last you for years to come. So, take the time to clean the debris filter.
How To Prevent Water From Accumulating On Your Pool Covers?
Below are my tips to prevent water from collecting on your swimming pool cover.
Put Heavy Weights on the Edge
You can put heavy water bags or pillows on the edge of your pool cover. Doing so can prevent water from accumulating on the pool cover. It also keeps the cover from sagging and getting torn apart. This is not applicable for retractable pool covers that hang from a track. Never weigh down this type of pool cover.
If you do not have the items mentioned above, you can also use bricks or other loads to weigh the edges. Just make sure they are not too sharp to prevent damaging your pool cover.
Install the Pool Cover Properly
You might be surprised by this simple tip. However, installing the cover properly is one of the best ways to prevent water from collecting on its surface.
Make sure it covers the entire pool area. Then, tighten everything in place to avoid getting a sagging pool cover.
Adjust the Cover Occasionally
Check the pool cover once in a while or whenever you pass by it. Then, adjust the corners as soon as you notice a slight sag.
Doing so can prevent excess water from staying in the center of the cover. And if done right, you can expect gravity to do the rest of the work for you. The remaining water will eventually collect on the pool cover edges and slide off.
Try An Elephant Cover
Finally, consider using an elephant cover. As its name suggests, this type of cover is durable enough to support the weight of an elephant. Thus, it does not sag inwards when rainwater, dirt, and other kinds of debris fall on the surface.
Besides this advantage, an elephant pool cover can effectively block harmful UV rays. It can also prevent evaporation and reduce water costs. Furthermore, elephant covers are relatively easy to maintain. They do not collect as much dirt and water droplets. They ultimately last you for years to come.
However, elephant pool covers have a few downsides you need to consider before buying. First, they are more expensive than standard pool covers. Second, they require complicated installation.
Nevertheless, an elephant safety cover is still worth considering if you want to prevent water from collecting on the surface.
Conclusion
You might encounter water on top of your pool cover after the winter season. It is important to remove this excess water to prevent accidents and tears on the surface.
You can follow our tips above if you want to get water off the pool cover. Feel free to share this article with other pool owners if you find it helpful!
