Solid Safety Cover in Winter: Pumps, Ice and Snow
Standing water should not be left to sit on a solid safety cover. Latham says a cover pump “prevents unsafe water accumulation” on solid covers. Use a weighted submersible pump rated for no more than 20 to 30 gallons per minute, watch it while it runs, and check your pool’s water level afterward. Leave ice to melt on its own, and do not shovel or try to melt snow.
By the Calm Water Pools Team | Last verified: September 28, 2026
Why a solid cover needs a pump
A solid cover is a barrier to water as well as sunlight, so rain and snowmelt collect on top. That weight stresses the straps and anchors, and standing water undermines the cover’s safety purpose. Latham’s solid cover has an Invis-A-Drain system that handles rain and melting snow, and Latham says to keep leaves and needles off the cover so they do not block the drain panel. Another cover maker, Loop-Loc, tells owners that standing water must be pumped off regularly whether or not the cover has drains. Check what your cover maker requires, because the warranty terms can depend on it.
Mesh covers work differently. Latham says rain and melted snow drain straight into the pool, so no cover pump is needed. See our mesh vs. solid guide for how that shapes the choice.
Choosing and placing the pump
- Type: Latham recommends a submersible pump that moves no more than 20 to 30 gallons per minute, so it does not pull the cover material into the intake.
- Screen: Look for a bottom screen at least 6 inches across, so debris does not shut off the suction easily.
- Placement: Latham says to place a weighted cover pump in a suitable location on the cover and to monitor it while it is in use. Set it where water collects.
- Power: Use a properly rated outdoor circuit, and keep the cord and hose out of the way of the cover’s edge. If you are unsure, ask an electrician.
Pumps are wear items. One pool builder reports that pumps used on solid covers often last only two to four years (River Pools), so test yours before winter and keep a spare.
Ice
Advice on a pump that freezes into ice is not uniform. Loop-Loc recommends disconnecting the pump if it will be frozen in ice for an extended period, and reconnecting it as soon as melting begins. Thursday Pools advises leaving ice to melt naturally, to avoid damaging the cover or the shell beneath it. Whatever your cover maker’s instructions say for your model, do not chip at ice on the cover or use sharp tools.
Snow
Latham says you do not have to remove snow from a mesh cover, warns against shovels because sharp edges can tear the fabric, and says not to try to melt snow. Snow adds load, so check the straps. Latham says the springs should be under about the same tension and about halfway compressed, and that you should adjust the straps through the season (Latham, winter cover care).
Watch your pool’s water level too
Water on the cover has weight, and pumping it off changes how much water is in the pool. Loop-Loc warns that an unchecked pump can move a substantial amount of pool water, so check the pool level after pumping. Latham advises adding a level check to your weekly routine when a solid cover hides the water. For fiberglass pools, see what Latham and other makers say in winter water level under a safety cover.
A quick storm checklist for solid covers
- After heavy rain or a thaw, check for standing water and pump it off.
- Confirm the pump is running and its screen is clear.
- Check the pool’s water level, and correct it if needed.
- Look at the straps and springs, and adjust if slack.
- Leave ice alone unless your cover maker says otherwise.
Calm Water Pools sells the cover; installation is not included. If a solid cover sounds like more winter work than you want, our quick picker can help you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Does a solid safety cover need a pump?
Yes, in practice. Latham says a cover pump prevents unsafe water accumulation on solid covers. Latham’s Invis-A-Drain system on its solid cover handles rain and melting snow, but you still need to check the cover after storms.
What kind of pump should I use on a solid cover?
Latham recommends a submersible pump that moves no more than 20 to 30 gallons per minute, with a bottom screen at least 6 inches across, placed on the cover and monitored while in use.
Should I chip ice off my solid cover?
No. Leave ice to melt naturally, as Thursday Pools advises, and do not use sharp tools. If the pump is frozen into the ice, follow your cover maker’s instructions; Loop-Loc recommends disconnecting it and reconnecting it as soon as melting starts.
Do I need to shovel snow off a safety cover?
Latham says you do not have to remove snow from a mesh cover, and it warns that shovels can tear the fabric and not to try to melt snow. Check your straps and springs instead.
Does pumping the cover lower my pool?
It can. Loop-Loc warns that an unchecked pump can move a substantial amount of pool water, so check the pool level after pumping and correct it if needed.
Sources: Latham, cover pump maintenance; Latham, winter pool cover care tips; Latham, solid and mesh covers; Loop-Loc FAQ; Thursday Pools; River Pools. Manufacturer guidance differs by product; the instructions that come with your cover govern.