General Pool Cover and Cover Pump Maintenance

October 14th, 2016 by

You’ve probably seen it before. That pesky puddle of water on top of your pool cover that never seems to go away. It gathers dirt and leaves and is a hassle to remove before using your pool. Though you know that having a safety cover is important, you can’t help but wonder if there is an easier way to avoid this nuisance. Lucky for you, there is! It is as simple as purchasing a pool cover pump.

There are benefits to having a cover pump on both mesh and solid covers. The pump helps keep the water level at the optimal height for pools with mesh covers where the water drains into the pool, while the pump prevents unsafe water accumulation on solid pool covers. So how do you decide what kind of cover pump to buy? Below is some key information on all of the available options and the maintenance needed for each.

Submersible Cover Pumps

It is best to get a submersible pump that pumps no more than 20-30 gallons per minute to avoid the possibility of the pump sucking in the cover material. Also, make sure your submersible pump has a screen area on the bottom of at least 6 inches in diameter so the suction does not shut down easily if debris gets trapped against it

General Pool Cover and Cover Pump Maintenance

Though swimming pool covers and cover pumps are built to last, they still need care from time-to-time. To increase that longevity, follow these quick tips on taking care of each type of cover and pump:

Mesh Safety Covers

  1. Carefully remove small tree branches and other solid debris that accumulates on top with a pool skimmer net. Be careful not to puncture the pool cover.
  2. Never try to remove a mesh safety cover if large debris is till on top of it
  3. After removing the mesh cover, lay it on the ground and spray with a garden hose to remove any airborne contaminants and residue
  4. Gently rub any stubborn areas with a push broom to loosen the film and spray again

Solid Safety Covers

  1. Remove any small branches, leaves, and solid debris so that they cannot clog your cover pump
  2. Drain any water that accumulates on top to prevent water building up to an unsafe level
  3. These covers can also be sprayed with a water hose and scrubbed with a push broom to remove any residue or film

Automatic Safety Covers

  1. Drain any water that accumulates on top to prevent water building up to an unsafe level
  2. Always remove all debris before retracting your automatic safety cover
  3. Lightly scrub any residue and spray off with a hose
  4. Make sure to run the pool for several hours after the cover has been opened to filter out any pollen or other residue that may have gotten in the pool when you sprayed it off

Remember, never use any soaps or chemicals when cleaning any pool cover as this could get into the water and ruin the chemical balance of your pool. Also, always let your cover dry before storing it away to prevent build up of mold or mildew.

Little Giant Pump photo for instructions.jpg

Cover Pumps

  1. Spray off with hose from time to time
  2. Remove any debris that may be stuck on the screen

As a pool owner, it is your responsibility to make sure your pool is as safe as possible. Products like all of the cover pumps discussed in this post can make this process simple and easy for you. All you have to do is choose the best one for your pool. Contact a qualified Coverstar dealer in your area to learn more.

 

 

Originally posted 10/2016. Updated for relevance. 

Meet Our Expert

Written by

With more than 15 years of experience at Coverstar, Mark is the autocover expert and Product Manager for Automatic Safety Covers at Latham. In his free time he enjoys camping, hiking and exploring the nation's beautiful national parks with his family.

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