Pool Cover or Leave it Open thru the off season?

[Platdaddy]

Howdy TFP Fam!

We are closing in on the end of our first season as pool owners. We have an in ground, fiberglass pool that is roughly 16x35.
I’d love some advice from those more experienced on pool covers vs uncovered and winterized vs keeping the pool open.

We live in Arkansas so there are probably 2-14 weeks of sub freezing temps tires possible.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and insights!

Plat

 

[Newdude]

What's the yard look like ? With no debris and no concerns of pets/kids falling through the ice, there's no need to cover.

With falling debris you need to cover.

With safety concerns you need to cover with a safety cover.

If you can keep the water moving, the plumbing won't freeze in your area. But we learned the hard way in TX that a power outage can ruin the plan. The much colder than freezing circulating water will brick up in minutes instead of hours or days if the flow stops.

 

[Platdaddy]

What's the yard look like ? With no debris and no concerns of pets/kids falling through the ice, there's no need to cover.

With falling debris you need to cover.

With safety concerns you need to cover with a safety cover.

If you can keep the water moving, the plumbing won't freeze in your area. But we learned the hard way in TX that a power outage can ruin the plan. The much colder than freezing circulating water will brick up in minutes instead of hours or days if the flow stops.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, we finished construction in winter so we spent last winter/spring making sure nothing froze and pump was always running. We will likely get some debris with the change of seasons.

 

[Newdude]

We will likely get some debris with the change of seasons.

You can cover with a tarp or leaf net while the fall stuff drops, then remain open, or close with no cover after it's done.