Is it Bad to Not Cover Your Pool in the Winter?
Short answer: yes—skipping a winter cover usually means more damage, more risk, and a tougher (more expensive) spring opening. Here’s why it matters and how to protect your pool the smart way.
What happens if you don’t cover your pool?
- Heavy debris load: Leaves, twigs, and wind-borne grit collect all season, staining surfaces and clogging filters when you open. Debris accumulation is one of the most common winter problems cover owners avoid. (Read more)
- Algae risk & cloudy water: Sunlight fuels algae—even in cold weather. Solid covers block light; mesh options still keep debris out while allowing drainage, dramatically reducing spring cleanup. (Read more)
- Water chemistry drift: Uncovered pools require frequent winter checks; a proper safety cover minimizes contaminants so chemistry stays more stable. (Read more)
- Safety hazards: An uncovered pool is an open hazard for kids, pets, and wildlife. Modern safety covers are anchored and engineered for load—far safer than leaving the water exposed (or tossing on a tarp). (Read more)
- Harder, costlier opening: More debris + algae + chemistry correction = more time and chemicals in spring compared with a properly covered pool. (Read more)
When should you close (and cover) the pool?
Close before your area’s first freeze—that timing best protects plumbing and equipment and sets you up for a cleaner spring. (Read more)
Mesh vs. solid: which winter safety cover is right?
- Mesh safety covers
- Allow rain and snowmelt to drain through—no standing water puddles.
- Lighter to handle during removal and storage. (Read more)
- Solid safety covers
- Block sunlight to help suppress algae growth.
- Keep out fine silt but typically require a cover pump to remove surface water. (Read more)
Either way, a properly tensioned, anchored safety cover beats a tarp (or nothing) for cleanliness and safety all winter. (Read more)
“What if I really can’t cover this year?”
If a safety cover truly isn’t possible, at least: remove all leaves, balance and shock the water, lower to the correct level, and secure the site with barriers. But understand you’re accepting more risk and more spring work than if you used a true safety cover. (Read more)
A simple, high-quality solution from Calm Water Pools
Calm Water Pools offers custom-measured Latham® winter safety covers in both mesh and solid designs—built for durability and safety, and tailored to your pool’s exact shape and features. We sell the covers; installation is not included. Learn more or get started here: Winter Safety Covers. (Read more)
Bottom line
Yes, it’s a bad idea to leave your pool uncovered all winter. A safety cover protects people and pets, blocks debris, reduces algae, and makes spring opening faster, easier, and cheaper. If you’re ready to winter-proof your pool the right way, explore Calm Water Pools’ Latham options: Winter Safety Covers. (Read more)