How to Clean a Pool Cover

The process known as "closing your pool" describes what people in the eastern and northern climates must do to protect their swimming pools in snowy and freezing weather. The pool must be drained to 18 inches below the skimmers and fully covered to guard against any damage in the sub-zero temperatures of winter. The celebrated opposite process, "opening your pool," begins in springtime. Cleaning the pool cover is the first step in this process.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Submergible pump
• Skimmer pole
• Talcum powder

1. Place a submergible pump over the area of your pool cover which is submerged in the deepest amount of water.

2. Lay the output hose in the yard. Turn on the pump.

3. Check the pump frequently. As the pump takes in water, it will also take in a lot of leaves which you will need to clear from the pump's intake apparatus. This first part of the clearing process can take a couple of days.

4. Use a skimmer pole to remove the decaying leaves as they become greater in volume than the water. You can purchase a pole at online store such as the A2Z website (see Resources below). After you remove the leaves, this may free up a good amount of water to be pumped out again. This process may repeat itself a few times.

5. Leave the clean cover on the pool as you fill the pool up with water for the approaching spring and summer seasons.

6. Remove the pool cover--once your pool is completely filled--with the help of 2 or 3 other people. Lay it flat in the yard.

7. Hose off the pool cover until it is completely clean and leave it to dry in the warm, spring air.

8. Feel the pool cover to make sure it is completely dry. Before you fold your pool cover up for the season, dust it with some talcum powder.

9. Find a cool, dry place in which to store your clean pool cover until fall, when you will close down your pool once again.

Tips & Warnings

• Your cover must fully cover the pool and be resistant to water, weather and chemicals.
• Start opening your pool around Easter. This will allow you to have your pool fully ready when the swimming season starts, without having to rush.

Resources

• Pool Master leaf skimmer at A2Z Pool Supply website

[urrrlacher]

on 5/8/2009 I would never clean the cover on the lawn. If it is small and can be done quickly I am sure it is fine. I always use the driveway were I can use a detergent to remove the filth and let it dry. If you leave a cover on the lawn especially if it is warm outside you may kill the grass and never use any detergent or you will be sorry.