shock level with solid cover when closing?

[CarlD]

Well, my mesh cover did GREAT for 10 winters. Then we had the freaky 2013/2014 winter. I didn't have pillows in my pool and the snow on top turned to ice, then merged/melted/refroze to the water in the pool, tearing down my copings. So....next year the mesh will have a pillow underneath (again) to prevent that.

[rajung]

wow, last year was a mess, agree.
So I am starting to think either way I go is a crap shoot.
Maybe I will stick with the new solid cover I just received along with the 15' pillow, and hope it doesn't deflate in a few weeks and continue to scrape snow off
Thanks again

[FormerBromineUser]

Can you put a pump on top of your cover? That's what I do on my auto-cover. When we get a melty day, on goes the pump and it removes all the melted snow so ice doesn't accumulate much at all over the winter. Only issue I have is when I accidentally leave the pump and out-flow hose outside and water freezes inside it. I use a black hose just in case so it will unfreeze faster if I screw up.

[rajung]

After reading some other winterizing posts on here, I am starting to contemplate not covering the pool due to the hassle of the pillow and cover.If that's the route I go would it be OK to start now as far as getting the water to shock level with a slightly higher ph for a couple days and then drain below return and remove all the equipment?The temps here for the next few days are in the mid 70's but after that it looks low to mid 60's so it looks like the end.
There is only one tree near pool on the neighbors yard about 40-50 feet away, a large pine tree that on a real windy day may throw some pine needles or cones into it.
If this winter is like last at 60" snow,removing snow with a snow roof rake is not fun every 3 days.
For those that don't cover,can the snow just build up on pool and left to accumulate all winter without removing any?
I guess main concern I have is shutting everything down uncovered, and then have a water issue such as algae.

[CarlD]

If the pool is uncovered, the snow and ice shouldn't be a problem. If you're going to keep it uncovered, and are worried about detritus setting off an algae bloom, I'd wait for the WATER temp to get to 60 or just above to close it. Below 60 inhibits algae growth.

Personally, I'd keep it very clean as the temp goes down, keep the FC at or near shock level, then when I'm ready to close, I'd add a 1/2 to a full quart of Polyquat 60%, wait 48 hours (FC will drop precipitously), raise FC back to shock level, then close.

[Watermom]

I don't cover but I keep my pump hooked up for awhile yet so that I can add some chlorine every now and then if needed. If you close too early, you are more likely to have a green pool in the spring. I actually don't take my pump off til we start having freezing night time temps which is usually late October or early November for us. Snow in the pool is not an issue

[CarlD]

Watermom is a better source than I am because she regularly closes an uncovered pool. I, instead, use a safety mesh, but not this year as I'm in re-build mode.

[rajung]

thanks folks for the replies.
Starting to feel a little more comfortable about attempting the no cover winterization.
so what is the main reason for using a solid or mesh cover? leaves?
If I have no trees close, and do remove any leaves that get in there up until the water freezes that would be so great compared to what I have been doing as far as scooping snow out and having a fairly tight cover around perimeter.

[CarlD]

I use a safety cover to prevent living creatures, especially human, from falling in to icy water, which can be deadly. I use a safety mesh to (hopefully) keep water from collecting on the cover to be pumped off.

[JimK]

A solid cover will help block dirt from accumulating for an easier spring cleanup. It will also completely block out light, allowing you to close the pool when you want rather than having to waiting until water temp stays below 60 degrees, or in spring, open once water temp reaches 60 degrees. If you tend to get a lot of rain over the winter (we do) and have to keep an eye on water level (pumping water out as needed), it will also prevent the chems in the pool from being diluted.

As Carl mentioned though, a mesh safety cover is the only true safety cover.