NewsArticles
Do You Really Need a Rain Pump for Your Pool Cover?
September 19, 2024
A rain pump is a valuable tool to remove standing water from your pool cover, resulting in less maintenance, reduced wear and tear, and maximum safety for your automatic pool cover.
Follow us

A rain pump is an indispensable tool for maintaining the longevity and safety of your automatic pool cover.
Do you know how much one drop of water weighs? Only about half a gram. How about one of those big jugs for the water cooler? Those back-breakers weigh in at close to 45 pounds.
The point is that while a drop of water isn't going to do much damage, the weight of many drops of water can add up fast—putting your automatic pool cover at risk of damage over time. That’s where a pool cover rain pump comes in.
What is a pool cover rain pump?
A rain pump is an indispensable piece of equipment that sits on top of the automatic pool cover to remove standing water from its surface quickly, efficiently and with little effort on your part.
Why should I use a rain pump?
Since pool covers keep the elements out of your pool, many different materials can gather on the outside of the cover including rain, snow, or ice: i.e. water in various forms.
When that water accumulates it’s important to remove it in order to maintain the cover’s integrity and safety. If it’s not removed regularly the weight of the liquid can create stress on the system and decrease the lifespan of your pool cover fabric.
Worse—accumulated standing water can also create a drowning risk.
Rain pump benefits
The benefits of a rain pump run far deeper than just water removal.
Cleaning and maintenance: One of the dreaded responsibilities of swimming pool ownership is the cleaning and maintenance. Scooping leaves out of the water, maintaining pH levels, skimming, brushing…the list can feel never ending.
Thankfully tools like pool covers and rain pumps bring the amount of work required for pool upkeep to a minimum.
A rain pump removes standing water quickly and effortlessly saving you the hard work of having to manually remove it.
On top of the ease of maintenance, quick water removal prevents mould growth or additional damage that comes from standing water.
Extends pool cover lifespan: To gain all of the benefits of your automatic pool cover including increased cleanliness, higher efficiency, and safety for your family, the cover needs to be well taken care of.
The weight of accumulated water on the cover can speed up the deterioration of pool cover fabric, causing sagging and stress which can damage or rip materials. On top of the stress on the pool cover system, standing water can encourage the growth of mildew which is not only unsightly but unsanitary.
Preventing premature damage caused by standing water protects your pool cover from costly repairs and replacements.
Set it and forget it: Modern rain pumps are often automatic, meaning that they can detect when water has accumulated and automatically remove the excess. This benefit means that you don’t have to worry about whether it rains excessively while you’re out of town or just forgetting to remove the water—the pump stays on top of it for you.
Saves time: Similar to saving on maintenance, using a rain pump gives you something irreplaceable: time. The hassle and hours spent manually removing water from a cover is time you can never get back, never mind the headaches of using more complicated, inefficient manual removal systems.
Saves money: The bottom line for almost all of the benefits we’ve listed is that a rain pump will save you on pool-related costs. By lowering maintenance time and extending the lifespan of your equipment, a rain pump helps your wallet feel fuller in the long run.
Safety: Sadly, the amount of water required to create a drowning risk is much smaller than you’d expect. Dry drowning and secondary drowning are life-threatening risks that occur after inhaling only small amounts of water. Accumulated water becomes a drowning risk, making it imperative to remove water when it starts to amass on a pool cover.
Winter-specific benefits
Rain pumps give an additional edge for pool owners who have to close the pool down for winter. Many rain pumps are functional in all seasons and by keeping water from calling the top of your pool cover home, you can proactively help prevent ice from forming on the cover.
Much like with water, the danger of letting ice build on your cover is that it can build up, melt, and pool on the fabric, creating a lot of weight and stress.
We often talk about how much weight our pool covers can (like golf carts or bears), it’s still not recommended to add unnecessary stress to your fabric.
Note that it is not recommended to remove ice from the cover yourself or operate the auto cover in icy conditions. Ideally, ice doesn’t get the chance to build up in the first place, but if you have any concerns, give us a call. We’re happy to advise you on the best way to handle the situation.
What to look for in a rain pump
Rain pump technology can vary depending on the quality of the pump and the features you’re looking for. These are some of the more common features to keep an eye out for when deciding on the best pump for your needs.
Manual or automatic: A manual rain pump doesn’t mean you have to grab a bucket and start bailing. Manual just means the pump needs to be turned off and on when you want it to start taking in water. Automatic pumps sense when water is gathering to automatically remove it.
Attachments: Some rain pumps require a garden hose attachment to funnel the water off of the pool cover. More advanced models, like the one offered by Pool Patrol, use a cover blaster instead, eliminating the hassle of a hose attachment. Our newest model is included with every new automatic pool cover installation. Learn more.
Speed: Higher quality models of rain pumps which use a cover blaster also tend to be faster at removing water, adding bonus efficiency to the process.
Cord length: Rain pumps require power so the length of the cord for the unit may be a consideration for your backyard. Shorter cords may require an extension to operate. Some pumps can have very long cords, eliminating the need for an extension. The model provided by Pool Patrol has a 40-foot cord which is among the longest on the market.
Quality: Just like your pool cover, when you purchase a pump it makes sense to go for quality. Put a bit of thought and research into the brands you’re interested in so that if something were to malfunction you’re confident that the company will be able to help you out.
Stay ready for the next pool season
When you have a quality rain pump working overtime to keep your pool clean, safe and well-maintained, opening it up again when next season arrives is going to be that much simpler. Pool Patrol will get you pool-party-ready faster with the best rain pump available and expert advice. Get in touch.
Pool Patrol has been keeping families in British Columbia safe with quality automatic pool covers since 1995. If you’re curious about a pool cover installation in your backyard, contact Pool Patrol today.
Featured News

Article | February 10, 2025
The Hidden Costs of Not Installing an Automatic Pool Cover
The benefits of installing an automatic pool cover in your backyard are pretty well known — from safety to maintenance and even energy efficiency. But there are so many additional, hidden costs that you stand to save when you take the plunge. Learn more about the hidden costs of not installing a pool cover.

Video | January 30, 2025
A Partnership Built on Trust & Innovation: Pool Patrol & Automatic Pool Covers, Inc.
For 20+ years, Pool Patrol and Automatic Pool Covers, Inc. (APC) have partnered to provide top-tier safety pool covers in Vancouver and the Okanagan. Their trusted collaboration ensures year-round child, pet, and wildlife-proof protection.

Article | January 16, 2025
Peace of Mind for 2025: Resolutions to Keep Your Family Safe Using Auto Pool Covers and More
Whether it’s new year, new pool, or improving safety around your existing pool, keeping your family safe is number one. These New Year’s resolutions go beyond the automatic pool cover to keep your family safe.