any reason not to use just a pool leaf cover?

[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?

[NWMNMom]

Mohawk, I am quite a few miles north of you, but do appreciate that you can get as much snow and ice down there in the cities as we do up here. Another post/thread indicated that some folks in Winnipeg (even further north of my neck of the woods) are using the micro mesh and leaf nets with no issues other than the normal wear that they experience having ice in the fibers, etc, but no adverse effects on the pool. If I did not have to worry about debris landing in the pool with the ice and snow, I would not cover, but since I do, the micro mesh will be the way I go. It looks like both the Arctic Armor and another (brand escapes me) with the silver embedded threads are both good brands with decent warranties. Good luck -