Which winter cover should I get??

I know most people are just getting into their pools right now, but to be honest I have allways hated that solid cover and the big puddle in my backyard all winter. I am looking for your opinions about the "safety" covers. Which ones are the best, or worst. Should I get a pourous one or one with a center drain? Shoud I not get one at all? Is the pool really dirty with these covers when you open them? Someone once told me his was real easy to put on and remove, he would put it on when he went away for weekends. What else do I need to know to make an intelligent decision?
Thanks.

No opinions?? I find that hard to believe. I gotta tell ya I really hate my old covert and water bag routine. Just finshed it about 730 tonight after a day of pool work. Those water bads are disgusting after a winter of sitting in muck. And the cover I am throwing out after only 3 years. Its probably good for another season but I just cant stand to clean it again. So if you have any advice for me I would appreciate it. Type of cover, brands, war stories, anything.
I should have said in my original post I have an 18x36 IG pool.

We have only had our pool three years now, it's an 24' AG. We bought a 10 year waranty rcover and we threw it away this year after only three years. I'm going to the pool store this year and I'm going to buy a $60.00 cover. I'm going to throw it away when I open up next. If that works out that's what I'll do from here on out. No more cleaning a cover, no more folding an old cover, no more stinkyness, etc. I'll just figure the price of the cover into the price of having a pool. So, in my opinion the best cover is a "new cover".

I feel you pain there ADL. One year I tried a leaf net over the solid cover. This didn't work as I had hoped. The instructions with the leaf net say to remove the net before snow accumulates but we usually get our first snow here before all the leaves have fallen. That's what happened the year I tried it and the whole thing sank on top of the solid cover making it more difficult in the spring. I now know why all the pictures of these things have the leaves super-imposed on the net.

I'm thinking of using a safety cover instead but do I need to worry about the pool's water level thoughout the winter then? There's also the option of a solid saftey cover but the water still needs to be drained from that or it can have a mesh drain panel but then I'd still have to be concerned with the water level.

The only idea I have and might try for next year is to raise the solid cover above the pool by using air pillows. First I'll lower the water below the skimmer then put 8 4' x 15' air pillows in my 16x32 pool and put the solid cover over those. I'll leave enough room between the water bags for the water to run off. Doing it this way hopefully I can just blow the leaves off of the cover and there won't be any standing water. Unless of course there's a better way....

I put one of these on last year. http://www.amerimerc.com/pool_supply...ety_covers.asp

I installed it myself and drilled the anchors with a hammer drill I rented for a day.

Looks great and seems to be a quality product. I've only had it for one season but I'm happy so far.

It does let a lot of fine particles through and algae will grow under it because enough sunlight gets through.
If you have a freezing climate the snow and ice will pull the material into the pool no matter how tight you make it. Generally this isnt a problem and it pulls back into its drum-like position after it melts.

I'm going to get a "black-out" blanket for underneath that is supposed to keep the pool cleaner over the winter and block all sunlight.

Overall I'm happy with my decision and prefer it over a solid cover. It is easy to put on and off (30 minutes) but I wouldnt want to do it very often or by myself.

Hi. I have a had a 15x30 AG for 3 years now. The first two springs I cleaned the cover, dried, folded and stored it (time consuming and a hassle). This year I just threw it out, figuring I'll get a new one in the fall when I close the pool up. It cost about $40, so I figure if I get 3 years out of each one that's no bad. After i put the cover on, I try my best to rake leaves off and pump any rain/melted snow off before it accumulates. Usually after a bad rain or snow storm the water will freeze and then it won't thaw for months, so sometimes it puts a lot of weight/stress on the cover and i think that is the cause of them deteriorating so quickly.

I was wondering if I should have saved the old cover and put that over the new cover this winter, it might extend the life of the new cover by a year or two. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

I have a 16X32 kidney inground and have a loop lock style mesh cover. The only downside is I have to periodically drain some water out during the winter or the water level will be up to the coping with rain and snow. I wish I had an overflow in the pool. I open to a slightly cloudy pool with lots of worms in the bottom but it cleans up nicely in less than a day.

How far down does everyone drain their pools? Are there any special procedures you do with your skimmers?

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Originally Posted by billk

The only idea I have and might try for next year is to raise the solid cover above the pool by using air pillows. First I'll lower the water below the skimmer then put 8 4' x 15' air pillows in my 16x32 pool and put the solid cover over those. I'll leave enough room between the water bags for the water to run off. Doing it this way hopefully I can just blow the leaves off of the cover and there won't be any standing water. Unless of course there's a better way....

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This wont work. I thought about doing this but my bro in law did go ahead with this method and he was sorry. It doesnt work like you think it would.

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Originally Posted by billk

How far down does everyone drain their pools? Are there any special procedures you do with your skimmers?

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I go a few inches past the skimmer. Most guys use the Aquador on the skimmer. That way you dont have to drain the water. You just snap the cover on.