Can You Use a Tarp as a Winter Pool Cover?
Short answer: you can throw a tarp over a pool—but you shouldn’t. A hardware-store tarp isn’t designed to protect people, pets, or your pool structure through months of snow, rain, and freeze-thaw. A proper winter safety cover is engineered to stay taut, shed weather, and keep your pool secure until spring. (Read more)
Why a Tarp Fails (and Puts You at Risk)
1) No safety rating or anchors
Tarps drape and sag because they’re not tensioned to the deck. Without a drilled-in anchor system, they can shift, collapse into the water, or trap debris—and they offer no rated protection if a child or pet wanders onto the surface. By contrast, a true safety cover is pulled tight and locks into deck anchors, creating a stable, walk-on-resistant barrier. (Read more)
2) Water and snow load = dangerous “bathtub”
Winter storms collect on a tarp, making a deep, heavy bowl of water and slush. Aside from being a drowning hazard, that weight stretches or tears the material and can stress coping and rails. Proper safety covers are designed either to drain (mesh) or to use a pump on top (solid) while staying tensioned so loads are distributed to the anchors—not your pool edge. (Read more)
3) Sunlight + organics = springtime algae soup
Even a dark tarp lets light and fine debris creep in around the edges. That feeds algae and leaves you with a difficult, expensive spring opening. Solid safety covers block sunlight entirely; high-quality mesh options are engineered to keep debris out while letting clean water pass through—reducing algae risk and maintenance. (Read more)
4) Zero fit, zero longevity
Tarps are one-size-fits-most. Safety covers are custom-measured to match your exact pool shape, stairs, and features for a snug seal that lasts. With reasonable care, a quality safety cover generally lasts 10–15 years—a far better lifecycle than a tarp you’ll fight (and often replace) every season. (Read more)
What to Use Instead: A Proper Winter Safety Cover
Calm Water Pools offers premium Latham® winter safety covers in solid and mesh styles, measured for a precision fit and built with heavy-duty hardware. Solid covers block 100% of sunlight to further reduce algae; mesh covers are lighter and allow water drainage while keeping out debris. Both are tensioned with anchors for true safety performance. (Read more)
Important: Calm Water Pools sells covers only—installation is not included. Latham will arrange free pickup of your existing cover, measure it for accuracy, then provide an exact estimate before your new cover is made. (Read more)
Mesh vs. Solid: Pick the Right Protection
- Mesh Safety Covers – Lower winter maintenance (no standing water on top), easier handling, sheds rain and snow while screening debris. Great for regions with frequent precipitation. (Read more)
- Solid Safety Covers – Blocks sunlight to curb algae growth; pair with a cover pump to remove surface water. Ideal if you want the cleanest possible spring opening. (Read more)
Not sure which suits your climate and workflow? This detailed comparison breaks down the tradeoffs so you can choose confidently. (Read more)
Common Questions
Will my automatic cover work for winter?
An automatic cover is fantastic for daily use, but winter brings heavy loads and harsh conditions. Calm Water Pools explains why a dedicated winter cover is the smarter choice for the off-season. (Read more)
How long will a winter safety cover last?
With reasonable care, expect 10–15 years from a quality cover (entry-level options may be shorter). Follow best practices—clean, inspect, store dry and off the floor, and keep it properly tensioned—for maximum lifespan. (Read more)
Do you install?
No—Calm Water Pools does not perform installations. Latham coordinates the free pickup/measuring process and then builds your made-to-fit cover. (Read more)
Bottom Line
Skip the tarp. It isn’t safe, it won’t stay put, and it invites algae and clean-up headaches. A custom-measured, anchored winter safety cover is the right tool for protecting your family, your pets, and your pool investment all winter long. (Read more)
Ready to Protect Your Pool This Winter?
Explore Calm Water Pools’ premium lineup of custom-measured Latham® covers and the simple free pickup + measuring process here: Winter Safety Covers. (Read more)
Or call 240-372-4440 to get started on a quote today. (Read more)