any reason not to use just a pool leaf cover?

[matt4x4]

I live in canada, pools freeze solid over the 3 months of cold we get, I don't use a winter cover since it does nothing other than try and wreck my pool when the winds get a hold of it, don't have many trees close by though, but the nice thing is my pool is easy to open and allways clear since i start it up before the warmth gets to it.
Those neighbours with winter covers seem to delay their openings because of all the extra work involved, they always have the swamp going.

[Davenj]

I get alot of answers to things I am wondering about by constantly reading this forum. My pool was installed the end of last year and no winter cover. We kept most of the leaves out, and yes it was a swamp in the spring. A few days of bleach and bang clean pool. We have been discussing a winter cover, but didn't want the hassle or alot of anchors installed in the deck. Going to try the leaf net this fall.

[tenax]

exactly our situation, gents. i am going the leaf cover only route for winter. aside from the leaves, all i have to deal with is silt so....

[NWMNMom]

So suppose I (not too far south of Winnipeg into the States) decided to go with a leaf net instead of the winter cover.....leaves are a definite issue for me, but we also get a lot of snow. Once those leaves drop, there won't be anything but snow going there. Perhaps the leaf net alone? The snow would in theory drop into the pool as it melts, but in the meantime, wouldn't the weight of the snow unravel/pull loose the mesh on the leafnet? I can certainly drain my pool low enough to handle most snowfall melts, but I would hate to have that leafnet get ruined/ripped/sagged all to heck from the weight. Some years we get little snow and some years we have had up to 148" of snow!! Yikes!

[ChuckD]

I decided to just cover with the leaf net last winter and I'll probably do it again.

I've got two mature maple trees within 20 feet of the pool and mucho leaves in the fall. We also get harsh winters in Upstate NY and even tho the net was frozen solid it didn't appear to be any worse for wear when I took it off this spring.

One thing I think I'll add to the mix is a basket of some kind inverted over the main drain. The net wasn't perfect and the water was not clear when it came time to open. When it finally did clear to where I could see the drain I found alot of debris clogging it and restricting the flow. I"d like to know it's sucking efficiently when I start it back up.

[NWMNMom]

Anyone have recommendations on brand of leaf net to go with? Any one better than the other? (Edit) Also, anyone have any thoughts on those mesh covers vs. a leaf net? If using a leaf net, will the weight of snow on it pull on the pool walls like with a regular cover or is this less due to the openings in the net? I really think I want to go with a leaf net or something along those lines rather than deal with a swamp on a solid cover AND trying to keep it from pulling the walls in with the weight. Any input??? I think now is the time to order one....I see mesh covers at $151, leaf nets around $99 - $120....Thanks!

[mohawk]

That's what I would like to know. The pool store said not to cover the pool because the snow it might cave in the pool sides. What has worked for others with above ground pools?