Intex cover with factory holes

[ninjajim4]

Hi all, one more thread here... Pulled out the solid Intex pool cover that came with the pool for the first time -- have used a solar cover for the entirety of our first season with this puppy. I was dismayed to see it has some nickel-sized holes punched into it. I searched around and didn't see much by way of any definitive answers -- is this ok to use as a winter cover? I have considered duct taping the holes or supplementing the cover with a leaf net, but OTOH, most of the leaves in my vicinity wouldn't even fit in these holes for the most part, so I am leaning toward just running with this thing as it is. I'll appreciate any thoughts and input.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Texas Splash]

I suspect those are just weep holes for water to seep through so that the cover doesn't sag. In the winter, the holes will probably close with snow & ice and really get weighed down. If you elect to use the cover, be sure to keep the water level high enough to support it and/or have something inflatable underneath to help support it.

 

[ninjajim4]

Whelp.. here's what I landed on for closing. Took 4 of my kids' giant play balls, shrinkwrapped them to keep them together and to have something to tie cord to in order to keep them centered. Threw on the cover, anchored down with water jugs. Looks acceptable?

 

[ninjajim4]

Just wanted to update as I'm opened now for season, just waiting for it to get warmer. Pool came out on the other side of a Chicago winter just fine -- but this cover blows. I'm going to trash it/throw it away. Because of the holes, pool water gets onto the top and mixes with all of the junk and then you can't properly get all the leaves out of the soggy mess, all of which disintegrates and ends up in the pool. Clean up was a much bigger chore than it would otherwise have been. Outside of that, we're ready for another season of fun