To do this, you’ll want to use a siphon or a water pump. The reason to use an air pillow is to alleviate stress from the sides of the pool as rain and snow falls weighting the cover down. If you would like to know the best time you open your swimming pool, check out my post on What is the best time to open your pool for the swimming season. When you are done, … For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop. Central Florida gets heavy rain in the summer, and this can create a mess for Orlando pool owners. On the flip side if you get a lot of precipitation when the cover is on causing several inches of water to remain on top your cover for a lengthy period of time, it will cause the cover to be pushed down in the middle. It's also a good idea to stay away from your pool when it's raining because your deck and other surface areas can be more slippery than usual. For light drizzles, buy extra drop sheets and use them to temporarily cover food and beverage tables. How Should I Clean My Solar Cover? Shocking your pool replenishes the chlorine lost from the rain. Wait until the average water temperature is below 65 degrees before placing the cover over your swimming pool. A leaf net cover also will not cause your water to become over heated as that of a regular cover since the water has air thru the leaf net cover not allowing heat to be held in. Even a day of improper pool chemistry can lead to algae and bacteria growth. This means that swimming temperatures are not sufficient for swimming anywhere between 6 to 9 months a year depending on your location. If your pool has a tendency to flood in some areas of the pool deck, and if run-off from heavy rains ends up in the pool – it needs to be fixed. If you allow your pool water to remain accessible to all these flying creatures, they will enter your water and many times never escape from it. A closed swimming pool should be cleaned, winterized and covered during this time period to prevent the pool water from becoming dirty, the liner from the becoming damaged and ensuring you have it closed with the safety of wildlife and others in mind as well. The weather will bring cold fronts, north winds, rain, sleet and snow to much of the region when the pool is not in use. These creatures do become curious or just thirsty at times and see a great opportunity to a quick refreshing drink. This will prevent leaves from entering your swimming pool. Squirt the solar cover cleaner on the cover and scrub. Then you can close your pool cover at night so it doesn’t lose heat to evaporation! Do not completely drain your pool. Swimming pools typically have a short season of just a few months unless you live in an extremely tropical region. Puttin Give us a call today. This is the best pool safety cover because it protects an inground swimming pool from severe winter in just one simple step. However, when a storm dumps 1 to 3 inches of water in a short period, it could take a toll on your pool water. After it rains, you should remove standing water as soon as possible. Save Money. This website is owned by Publish Vine LLC and is a participant of the Amazon Associates Affiliate Program. Then you won’t have to rush everything inside for a simple sun show. It will also heat the pool better if you leave your pump off during the day. I am the owner of an above ground 24 foot swimming pool and a 140 gallon Softub.I love helping others succeed in pool care and much of the information provided on my website can help above ground and below ground pool owners. Sure, once the weather gets extremely cold, especially below freezing the amount of insects flying around will not be as significant as during the peak of summer, but they still exist. Here are items you will want to check once it’s safe to go out into the back yard and address the pool. You don't have to buy the most expensive pool cover to notice a difference: lower-cost vinyl and solar covers will still keep the water warm. Many above ground pools are drained below the return, so the pool can drain out the return as it rains and snows. It’s not time to fix your pool chemistry just yet – that said, there’s nothing wrong with giving your water a little boost. It can be sunny with clear skies one minute, then turn cloudy with pouring rain the next. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. How To Properly Cover Your Above Ground Pool For The Winter. Shock the pool. Just let the pool drain until it’s back at the normal level. As we all know weather is not predictable and I would do the safe thing and place an air pillow under the cover. Many people ask should I cover my pool. Your home swimming pool can be anything you want it to be. If the water in your swimming pool is staying on average above 65 degrees, algae can still grow and live in your water. In doing so you will you soon find yourself opening the pool just before the next season with little work, prep or maintenance. The National Swimming Pool Foundation recommends that pool owners not drain your pool entirely. If you don’t have sufficient water, your pool can be lifted out of the ground. One way to protect your pool from the effects of rain is by increasing your pool’s pH level. When you are no longer going to be performing maintenance to your swimming pool for an extended period of time, your swimming pool is closed. After large storms, which add 2-3 inches of … However, if the rain is heavy and constant then you should be more cautious in watching the water levels and the A small amount of rain will have little to no effect on your pool. However, it does not let twigs, leaves, and other debris to go in.See more: water warden pool cover If the cover was off and the pool is filled with rainwater, the chemistry will most definitely need to be addressed. You need to assure the pool chemistry is within proper levels at all times. It will also save you time and money during the next season when it is time to re-open your pool. I say the answer is up to the pool owner. Get a Quote. link to How To Properly Cover Your Above Ground Pool For The Winter. When it is time for your swimming pool to be closed for the off-season, some pool owners leave the pool the same way as if it was still swimming season year round. Over time you will have hundreds or even possibly thousands of insects floating within your pool water including flys, bees, wasps, moths and beetles. Never attempt to walk across a frozen swimming pool, the ice may be extremely thin and send you through the ice sending your body in shock and you may become trapped under the ice at the surface. If you cover your pool the water will sit on the pool cover and can cause a tear in the cover lining. You can do this with the cover right on the pool if you want to. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Obviously, adjusting your pool’s pH will depend largely on the amount of rainfall. For a few years, there was a very large oak tree about 4 feet from my pool and if I did not have the cover on the pool by the end of September, I was knee deep in leaves. Cover Me! We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. What Should I Do When It Rains? Restore balance if necessary. When it rains, the amount of chlorine in the water temporarily remains the same, but the amount of water and contaminates in the pool changes. But 1 to 3 inches is a good rule of thumb. After heavy rainfall, your pool’s chlorine levels will be much lower from fighting off contaminants. Because there are such a number of questions that people have regarding this issue, we've decided to take the time to answer them and help give you a little clarity about the process of winterizing your pool and choosing the right cover. Some people place an air pillow under above ground swimming pool covers. Climbing temperatures can be a real bummer, too. How To Drain Your Pool After Heavy Rains. The biggest benefit you as a pool owner will receive by placing a cover over the top of your swimming pool is the reduction in the amount of dirt and grass that gets blown in your pool when not in use. link to Why Are There Maggots In Your Pool? Blue Science will work hand in hand with you to design a one-of-a-kind dream pool which perfectly complements your backyard environment. If you wait to late you will regret it! Small amounts of rain, such as .25” and .5” can temporarily drop the pH levels in your pool. This will as well help remove these insanely dangerous thoughts from any risk takers mind. These types of weather events will allow leaves, grass and other unwanted debris to enter your pool resulting in a dirty bottom. This will help prevent leaves, grass and dirt from entering your pool when not in use. One of the most dangerous stunts people of all ages do every year is attempt to walk across, skate and play on a swimming pool that is frozen on top. When it rains and your pool is left open, the rain water dilutes the pool water, which cause the chemical balance to be thrown off. You may work with a pool contractor on a regular basis, but depending on his schedule and the devastation the storm has wrought, he may be busy and you may have a wait before he can take care of your pool clean up. What Should You Do To Your Swimming Pool After It Rains? Pools covers are a one-time investment, and it helps you cut the cost on other associated expenses with respect to pool cleaning and heating. When you close your swimming pool for the off-season during the winter months, I recommend that you place a pool cover over your pool. You only need to check on the pump once in a while to ensure it’s still functioning properly and … To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. The proper balance is quickly restored. 9 tips you need to know when closing your swimming pool, pool as rain and snow falls weighting the cover. You should run the filter on your 18 x 4 pool for at least 6 hours per day or for as long as direct sunlight shines on the pool. If the rainfall is light where you are located then the water shouldn’t affect your swimming pool that greatly. Placing the cover over your pool when the water temperature is too warm will allow algae to grow beneath the cover until the water becomes to cool for algae to survive. The only thing grosser than a fly problem is a maggot problem, especially when they are breeding in areas that you use to enjoy and relax, like a swimming pool. Should you cover your swimming pool for the winter? Many pool owners have questions about how to manage their pools in the off season. With a swimming pool cover over the water it makes everyone aware that it is not open for swimming and not ready to be used and reduces the chance of someone attempting to be a crowd show off when they dive into the water at sub zero temperatures putting their health at immediate risk. The leaf net cover is quite similar to that of a pool cover except you can see through it, still run your pool pump and if it rains the water will not stay on top of the cover. The idea is to keep the water in the hose. However, when it rains, the acidic rainwater affects the pH balance of your pool. Pool covers make maintenance of the swimming pool a whole lot easier and less time-consuming. Using an air pillow will help increase the life of your pool cover and reduce tension from the sidewalls of your pool. These small changes combined with the effects of other chemicals in the pool can bring about the cloudy effect you see after it rains, especially when your chlorine starts to drop. Even with the cover on you may not completely illuminate all these curious creatures from taking a look in the water, but you will stop the majority of them from doing so. If you have a solid auto cover then yes just make sure there is a cover pump on the cover. This will prevent leaves from entering your swimming pool. However with the cover in place, this will detour most kids, teens and even grown adults from messing with the water or getting into mischief. However, all rain in the US is acidic due to pollution, so rain actually decreases your pool’s pH – in other words, the pool water becomes more acidic. Stormy weather especially with heavy rainfall and strong winds are quite common in the Midwest where I am as well as other parts of the country and world. The extent of the damage and the amount of rainwater it takes to have an effect depends on the size of your pool. As the temperatures become colder and the swimming season comes to an end, it will be time to close your swimming pool for the winter months. Shocking your pool isn’t necessary, although, it’s not a bad idea either. The lightweight mesh and the two-ply webbing allow rain to seep through into the pool. If you own a swimming pool in Orlando, you need to know how to drain your pool. Rain in the pool can “water it down” and that will mean you need more chemicals to get it back in balance. As your pool becomes more acidic, you might find that your eyes start to burn and get itchy as you swim. If you stop using your cover during the day it will heat all the way to the bottom of the pool. The leaf net cover is quite similar to that of a pool cover except you can see through it, still run your pool pump and if it rains the water will not stay on top of the cover. You will not want to place the cover over your pool until your pool no longer requires daily or weekly maintenance. The best way to clean your solar cover is to use a solar cover cleaner and disinfectant. The water helps to “hold down” your pool. Too much rain can raise the water level in your pool to overflowing if you’re not careful. Written by John Berry. If you get an extremely heavy rain fall, you could shock your pool for good measure. Some pool owners live in an area where there are squirrels and other critters that roam the area day and night. You can also use a rubber tire, inner tube or similar item that produces the same affect as the air pillow. Wet the solar cover and use a telescoping pole and your pool brush. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. It might go down, but it will only be temporary and should correct itself on its own. I have an article and talk more about closing your swimming pool for the winter months. My Pool Is Overflowing From Rain (Here’s How To Fix It) ... Next, unscrew the hose from the spigot and cover the end quickly with a hose cap or kink it close to the end. You won’t need to worry too much about your calcium or CYA (Cynauric Acid) levels — these are not greatly affected by the rain besides dilution. Even when the water has become to frigid to swim does not necessarily mean that it is time to close your pool by placing the cover over the water and call it a season. This is an advertising program in which some links on this website will send visitors to Amazon and we may receive a commission from purchases. Until you allow your swimming pool to be uncovered for 6 consecutive months or more, it may be hard to grasp, but your pools bottom is likely to be completely covered in a few months time. A leaf net cover is a great alternative for a pool cover when you are not using your pool for a period of time, but still haven’t closed it either. Lower your pool’s water level by one to two feet. Rain, especially in thunderstorms, has nitrogen in it which will feed algae. Protect Your Pool. Lastly, you will take the covered end to the drain and open the hose up to start emptying water. Simply add a few chemicals, fill up the water and connect the hoses and enjoy it once again. After a storm or lengthy rain, it’s always smart to double-check your water balance, stabilizer and sanitizer levels with an HTH® 6-Way Test Kit or box of HTH® 6-Way Test Stripsto be sure your pool water is still adequately balanced, stabilized and sanitized. Non flying bugs are also likely to enter your pool much more than if it was covered including spiders, tree worms and ants. Others will drain the water enough so that water will not remain in the filtration pipes and hoses then cover the pool with a swimming pool cover. 04 of 10 If it is just a light rain, then you may not need to raise it. At the time the animal was trying to escape the water, it could also damage your liner with its claws causing significant damage and costly repairs at the opening of the next swimming season. Should I Shock My Pool? If the animal is unable to get out it will drown and you will have to remove it from the water at some point and if you do not realize it in time, it will decompose in your water and create a terrible smell and unsanitary swimming conditions. An air pillow is an inflatable blow up device that you can purchase in various sizes to fit your pool. This brings me to the big question, how important is it to place a swimming pool cover over your pool during the winter months? If you are little precipitation during the the off-season the air pillow may not be necessary. Since rain is diluting your pool, you may expect that it will reduce the acidity of your pool water. These are also great options if you are going on vacation or not going to be using your swimming pool for short or even long period of time and want to stop debris from entering the water. If you slide and fall around the pool, you can seriously injure yourself on a hard concrete or wooden deck, but you can also fall into the water unconscious. Use your pump drain spigot. Clean it. The first thing you must do is make sure it is actually time to close your swimming pool. They are quite inexpensive and can add extra life to your cover and help reduce stress on your above ground swimming pools walls. What Customer are Saying About our Tampa St Pete Pool Care "Hi all, simply a 5*, a thank you and a strong recommendation. Do not leave the solar cover outside during the winter unless it is on the pool, in use. Your pool should also be equipped with overflow drains which will drain excess water. Pool decks should slope 1/4″ for every foot, and storm run-off needs to go somewhere; never in the pool. What To Do To Your Pool After It Rains. Once it is filled with air it is placed beneath the cover and it will float in the center of the water and keep your cover raised toward the center. Help! When an squirrel or raccoon makes its way to the pool surface for a drink, it is likely to fall inside the water with no escape path. However, if you plug the skimmer and return properly with a stainless steel winter plate and a flat return plug, you can leave the water in place. No matter what, covered or not you should always supervise children when around a swimming pool. You should be the one controlling those levels at all times to ensure the best swimming experiences.Always test the water after it rains so you will know what adjustments you should make. You may have to raise the pH of your pool, depending on the chemistry of your pool and how much rainfall there was. Heavy rains can dilute the chemicals you’ve added to your pool water. I try and shock my pool every other day, or, if it rains, shock it at night after it rains (never during rain). A leaf net cover is a great alternative for a pool cover when you are not using your pool for a period of time, but still haven’t closed it either. I have been a long time pool owner and I have done both. I recommend you check it out here, I give 9 tips you need to know when closing your swimming pool for the season. An automatic pool cover pump is one of the most useful pool supplies in New Haven County, CT because it can remove standing water from your cover without you needing to do the work. Beat the Heat: Rain isn’t the only type of weather that can put a damper on a party. On a humid, calm or sunny warm sunny day, then open it up. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. in Pool Care. This will help fight off any …