Winter Wind

[swmnfarmpool]

I have a 24ft above ground round pool. We live in rural sw mn. The pool has grain to the east and half of the south but the rest is fairly open and especially open to south winds. 2 years ago the wind go under the winter cover and ripped it off along with our top rail destroying the pool. we had insurance and got a new one put up and while the pool surivived last year it still would get wind under the cover and move the water to one side and whip it up. We started with 2 to 3" on it and had probably 6" of water on it by the end. I put 4 of the 2 piece clips on ever section of the cover to connect it to the top rail.

In looking at the pool today while i was swimming it appears that no matter how secure the winter cover is to the top cap the top cap and the pool wall have a small gap between them that will always let wind ( and corn dust in... nasty tiny corn dust as we live on a farm). I'm trying to figure out the best way to prevent the wind from getting in and under the cover and to keep that fine corn dust out.

I've read alot on here in the last couple weeks and see alot of people using weights but im using a heck of alot of water already. last year we had the water about 4 inches below the skimmer and by the time i finished adding water to try to keep the wind from movign the water and pushing the cover ft into the air the water was coming out of the skimmer...

 

[SecoSteve]

You should use this to secure the cover to the pool.

Amazon.com

Also, shrink wrap would keep the dust out.

Amazon.com

 

[VinnyinNJ]

It sounds like you need to do a few things to keep the cover in place. I've noticed the water on the cover does help as long as there's enough to add weight to fight the wind, it sounds like you're doing that. I have attempted to use the pool plastic type wrap with limited success, I think it was more me. I bought a huge roll of food plastic wrap last year which I didn't use and may try it this year. I'm also thinking you may want to think about "sealing" the lip of the pool/ cover overlap with something (rolled bubble wrap comes to my mind) to keep the wind away from the underside between the up rights. Maybe a lot of cover clips along with the plastic wrap? If you can get the plastic wrap to tightly hold the cover onto the pool top cap that may work as well.

 

[CT-Steven]

I have tried the cable, but it did not work. But then again, I have a rectangle Intex, so I do not have anything really for it to anchor to. I use the pool/pallet wrap. I tie it off to one leg and then generally make 3 passes around the pool making sure the cover is pressed underneath. I also use a Pool Tree system which also helped in keeping the water towards the edges of the pool which pull down on the cover tightening it with the wrap holding it in place. Hope that made sense...

Found this!

Amazon.com

 

[Newdude]

finished adding water to try to keep the wind from movign the water and pushing the cover ft into the air the water was coming out of the skimmer...

With an open skimmer, you have to watch the weight on top of the cover pushing it down. The cover will displace the water below out the skimmer. Forgive the crude 2nd grader sketch, but you'll get the idea.



Skimmer faceplate plugs only work for so many seasons because the skimmer warps in the sun. When I tried one on my 17 year old above ground after moving, it wasn't even close. The new plate was perfectly square but the skimmer wasn't anymore. The 1/4 thick rubber gasket couldn't make up the gap and the skimmer was full in minutes.

I'd buy a few rolls of cling wrap at Bjs/Costco and wrap myself dizzy. There's no need for the expensive kind IMO. With enough wraps, it isn't going anywhere.

I make my own winch with sturdy rope. Make your standard loop at one end and wrap it like a belt. Then add another loop further back.




Belt up the first loop, then go back to the extra loop. Pull towards the original loop and it will tighten very easy. The arrow points away and not towards the 1st loop because it was hard to draw and still make sense.




Any rope will eventually stretch and it will need to be retightened at times. But between the this and the cling wrap, it might be enough.


*edit. I made an example with string.







I also thought this was a great idea by @Canned Heat

 

[krazykrames]

I also put bleach jugs filled with water on the cover. 26 legs on my Intex = 26 jugs of water. Strings tied to the legs then up and over the top rail. Not as windy in SE MN as SW but still pretty bad. Never had a problem and I don't add water over the cover.

 

[swmnfarmpool]

thanks for all the ideas. i do use the cable around the outside and multiple 2 piece clips to hold the tarp on the pool but wind still gets in. it seems it is getting in between the vertical wall and the horizontal cap and that is where i dont knwo how to seal it up. ive heard alot of mixed reviews on the shrink wrap stuff. we have pallet wrap around but it still seems it will go around the verticals and allow air in anyway. Has anyone tried a 2" sump pump discharge hose half full of water with some antifreeze in it around the inner perimeter of the pool to help hold down that edge? or is that not enough weight. like i said it seems no matter how much water i add on top a strong wind ends up getting under it and the corn dust is a real head ache come spring.

 

[swmnfarmpool]

I also put bleach jugs filled with water on the cover. 26 legs on my Intex = 26 jugs of water. Strings tied to the legs then up and over the top rail. Not as windy in SE MN as SW but still pretty bad. Never had a problem and I don't add water over the cover.

thanks thats very helpful. how do you tie them to the legs? o intex pool so you have a steel leg that is easy toget around. i wonder if i could lightlt tie it to my cable that goes around the pool to hold the cover on?

 

[llreynolds]

I am also having similar issues. I have had the pool about 5 years. I have NEVER had a cover last more than 1 season. I do have a deck completely around mine. I'm wondering if I am better off with an inground type cover???

 

[Mdragger88]

I have wind but not super crazy wind or particulates so the jumbo binder clips work ok for me. No saran wrap.
However, This thread makes me think about new uses for pool noodles….
Perhaps Cut them in half and to length and put them in the gap? Probably some to be had on clearance right about now.

 

[Mdragger88]

There’s also the option do the lengths of pvc pipe inside the pool to push the cover against the inside wall. The video I saw the guy didn’t fill them with anything. He also had a cover drain system he made which was quite cool I’ll post it if I can find it.
Edit *
Found it!

 

[llreynolds]

There’s also the option do the lengths of pvc pipe inside the pool to push the cover against the inside wall. The video I saw the guy didn’t fill them with anything. He also had a cover drain system he made which was quite cool I’ll post it if I can find it.
Edit *
Found it!

Thank you! I'll go watch.

 

[Salbailey]

I am also having similar issues. I have had the pool about 5 years. I have NEVER had a cover last more than 1 season. I do have a deck completely around mine. I'm wondering if I am better off with an inground type cover???

Hi! We also have a deck going all around our pool. Instead of cinching the cover around the top rail of our pool, we stretch it flat over our pool and on to the deck (we use the pillow still) and secure it with bungee straps and hooks - it looks/works like an inground pool cover. No trouble with wind!!

 

[arthurdent]

I use 4 3" webbed nylon tow straps. Use the loops to create a continuous strap. Then a ratchet load strap to tighten the straps around the pool with the winter strap securely underneath. 27' round radiat metric pool. Works great and is easy to install.
'

 

[Mdragger88]

I use 4 3" webbed nylon tow straps. Use the loops to create a continuous strap. Then a ratchet load strap to tighten the straps around the pool with the winter strap securely underneath. 27' round radiat metric pool. Works great and is easy to install.
'

Curious, do you not like the oem radiant winter cover or just don’t have one? I have always thought they were neat.