How Much Snow Can A Pool Cover Hold?
If you have a pool and live in the Midwest or East Coast, you’re probably expecting it to get covered with snow. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, that is, until you see how much snow accumulates on your pool cover. So, how much snow can a pool cover hold?
The average pool cover can hold 1-2 feet of snow, but factors like pool size and how much ice is present affect the capacity. Some people put pool-grade salt on their pool covers to reduce the weight of the snow and ice during the winter. Remove standing water with a pool cover pump as the snow melts to protect the cover from collapsing.
You don’t need to panic when you see snow on your pool cover. However, you should keep an eye on it. Follow along as we explore how much snow a pool cover can hold and highlight your options.
How Much Snow Can A Pool Cover Handle?
A pool cover can typically hold roughly 1 to 2 feet of light snow. However, dense mixtures of snow and ice can quickly put your pool cover’s limits to the test. Pool covers are meant to hold between 485 and 2,000 pounds in most cases, so they can handle basic snowstorms.
However, you must consider the weight distribution, as a few feet of snow on a small pool cover can take a toll. Conversely, 1 to 2 feet of snow on a large pool cover is typically spread out quite evenly. That’s especially true if you have a mesh cover that’s meant to withstand winter weather, including snow and ice.
Snow can get heavy, and your pool cover must handle more weight when ice is in the mix. It’s hard to tell how much weight is on your pool cover just by looking at it, as there may be lots of ice beneath the fluffy snow.
Should You Shovel Snow Off Your Pool Cover?
You should shovel some snow off your pool cover if it is stacked higher than 2 feet tall. However, you must be quite careful, as there is a big slipping hazard and you can’t safely walk on your pool cover. Your bodyweight, combined with the weight of the snow and ice, could topple the pool cover.
Naturally, you can’t safely remove snow from the center of your pool cover, but you can clear snow from the edge. Shovel as much snow off the edges of your pool cover as possible without stepping on the cover. This will at least remove some of the weight to help ensure the pool cover doesn’t collapse under pressure. You can even vacuum some snow off your pool cover in some cases. Of course, this only works if you use a vacuum that’s meant to handle wet waste, or else you’ll break the unit.
Should You Put Salt On A Pool Cover?
You can put salt on a pool cover to prevent ice from forming, but it’s not always a good idea. That’s because the salt can damage the metal components around the edge of the pool cover. The other problem is that water may carry salt down into your pool as it seeps through the cover.
Road salt can damage the pool’s walls and floors, so that’s something you should keep in mind. However, it’s worth putting some salt on your pool cover if it’s going to stay at sub-zero temperatures for a while. That’s especially true if you’re expecting more than 2 feet of snow and ice, which could damage your pool cover.
If it won’t snow that much, you’re better off letting nature take its course to avoid damaging the pool and cover. The snow and ice should melt once it gets sunny outside, which is the safest option. Otherwise, you should use pool-grade salt if you know a big snowstorm is coming.
Should You Remove Standing Water From A Pool Cover?
If possible, you should remove standing water from a pool cover when the snow melts. That’s especially true if it heats up during the day but will dip below the freezing point again at night. The melted snow can easily freeze again and coat your pool cover in another thick layer of ice.
The best way to do this is to put a pump on the cover and pump the water far away from your pool. However, you must use a pump that’s specifically meant for pool covers, as they’re different than pool pumps. Watch your pool when the sun comes out and pay attention to how quickly the snow melts and turns into water. That way, you can quickly remove as much water as possible to prevent ice from forming later. Be patient, as some pool cover pumps work slowly.
What To Do If Your Pool Cover Collapses During The Winter
You must act quickly if your pool cover collapses during the winter, especially if it’s still snowing. Ideally, you should quickly remove and replace the pool cover to minimize how much water and snow get into the pool. This requires a few hands, so you may need to call for professional help if you’re alone.
The key is to have one person at each corner of the pool to ensure the cover doesn’t fall deeper into the pool. If needed, you can weigh down one or two of the corners while you pull and fold the free edges. Get as much of the cover out of the pool as possible before you tend to the edges you weighed down. Once the cover is out of the pool, vacuum some of the extra water out of the pool. Unfortunately, you must now replace your pool cover to protect your pool for the rest of the winter season. You can expect to spend around $1,800 to replace your pool cover, on average.
Summing It Up
A pool cover can hold around 1 to 2 feet of snow in most cases, but it may be less if ice is present. You can help relieve the pressure by removing snow from the edge of your pool cover. It’s also a good idea to pump some of the standing water off the pool cover as the snow melts, so it doesn’t freeze again.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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