Dealing with ice on your pool cover requires careful handling to protect both the cover and the pool. Based on expert advice, the approach depends on the type and thickness of the frozen precipitation.
Effective Methods for Removing Ice from a Pool Cover
Here's a breakdown of how to handle ice and snow on your pool cover, following recommended practices:
- Light, Powdery Snow: For fresh, light snowfall that hasn't frozen into a solid layer, a leaf blower can be an effective tool. Use the blower to gently push or blow the snow off the cover surface. This prevents accumulation before it has a chance to freeze solid or add significant weight.
- Solid Sheets of Ice or Frozen Snow: If the snow has frozen into a solid sheet of ice on the cover, the safest method is often patience. Wait for frozen snow and ice to melt on its own as temperatures rise. Attempting to chip or break up solid ice can damage the pool cover.
- Cover Pump Buried Under Ice: A critical tool for removing melted water from the cover is a cover pump. If your cover pump is trapped or buried under a layer of ice, you can free it to do its job. Pour a few gallons of hot water into one spot on the cover directly over or near the pump. This will create a small pool of meltwater, allowing the device to access the liquid and pump it off the cover.
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Light, powdery snow | Use a leaf blower. |
| Solid ice sheet | Wait for it to melt naturally. |
| Cover pump under ice | Pour hot water to free the pump. |
Important Considerations:
- Avoid using sharp objects like shovels or ice picks, as these can easily puncture or tear the cover material.
- Too much weight from ice and snow can stretch or even damage the cover. Removing as much light snow as possible early on is beneficial.
- Ensure your cover pump is operational before significant melt occurs to manage water accumulation effectively.
By following these methods, you can safely manage ice and snow on your pool cover throughout the winter months.
