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Pool Patrol Owner Allan Horwood Talks Winter Pool Cover Questions
November 13, 2024
Are you curious about using your automatic pool cover in the winter? We sat down with Pool Patrol owner Allan Horwood to answer your questions about using an automatic pool cover all year.
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When it comes time to close the pool down for winter, our team at Pool Patrol is always flooded with questions about automatic pool covers for the coming months. To set the record straight, we sat down with Pool Patrol owner Allan Horwood.
Pools have been central to Allan’s life from a young age. When Allan started Pool Patrol in 1995, it was with the same mission that drives us today: to keep families in British Columbia safe.

Allan Horwood’s father chopping ice from the family pool 1989. Do not try this at home! “My dad would take an axe and chop a perimeter around the ice to give it room to expand because he thought otherwise the pool would blow up. It made no sense,” he laughs. “But here he is copping the ice.”
All about winter and automatic pool covers
Let’s start with the question that’s on everyone’s mind this time of year: can I use my automatic pool cover in the winter?
Allan: The bottom line with an automatic pool cover, whether ours or anyone else’s, is that it relies heavily on the water in the pool to support it.
So if the pool water is non-existent or too low, the cover has no support, and it will likely not open or close. It definitely will not be able to support any weight, regardless of the season.
For homeowners, this means deciding whether they are comfortable maintaining an adequate water level throughout the winter.
How does that change the winterizing process?
In Kelowna, pool owners lower water levels to winterize, and all the piping gets drained. So to use our cover as a winter cover, you still do your normal winterizing procedure, but then fill the pool back up. Homeowners are best advised to consult with their pool technician and discuss the details of winterizing the pool with enough water in the pool to support the automatic cover.
How much does the water level have to be raised?
The water in your pool must be raised to an adequate level. I recommend consulting with your pool specialist and/or the technician who is winterizing your pool.
What are some common concerns you get this time of year?
We get many calls around this time of year where people are trying to open or close their cover, but their pool maintenance professional lowered the water level after being winterized. When the cover is not being supported, it's not happy and will not open or close. It's sagging too much. We get it all the time in the fall, and when we answer the call, we see insufficient water in the pool.
What happens in that case?
You have to fill it back up. You can do this by putting a hose in the skimmer. If the cover is not supported, it's just too much weight being pulled downward, and it's not floating. The cover needs to be supported. Bottom line.
What should someone do if ice builds up on the cover?
Of course, your cover might ice up in the dead of winter. This one’s easy: just don't do anything. Don't try to remove it, don't try to walk on it, don't try to open the cover. The ice will melt eventually. When it does, the rain pump will suck up the extra water when it can.
Can you leave your rain pump out all winter?
Yes! Our rain pumps have freeze protection, so they won’t turn on if they are frozen.
What should I do if much water has gathered on my pool cover?
Don’t try to operate the cover if there’s an unusually high amount of water on it. The weight can damage the cover or pull it off track.
Is there ever an amount of weight from snow or ice that becomes a concern?
As long as the pool auto cover is properly supported, it can hold much weight. When properly maintained, we’ve even seen automatic pool covers support bears and golf carts. However, there are limitations, so please consult with your pool cover specialist.
What other advice do you have for people looking to use their automatic pool cover over the winter?
Like anything else on your property, check the pool and water levels regularly. If you’re heading on vacation or leaving town for a few months, ask a neighbour to check on it like you’d want an eye on anything else on your property and the house itself.
Key takeaways
You can use your automatic pool cover all year long if you follow these simple guidelines and always consult with your pool cover specialist if you have any concerns.
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Adequate water levels must be maintained for the pool cover to function properly, and this is true all year long.
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Keep an eye on your pool — just like anything on your property. Leaving town? Ask a neighbour for help.
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Never attempt to remove ice from your pool cover. Let nature do its thing and melt the ice into water which can easily be pumped away.
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Always consult a professional with concerns about water levels, weight on your cover, or other concerns.
With the right precautions, automatic pool covers are an excellent choice for your backyard all winter long. For help with your automatic pool cover this winter, contact Pool Patrol.
Pool Patrol has been keeping families safe in British Columbia with quality automatic pool covers since 1995. Contact Pool Patrol today if you’re curious about installing a pool cover in your backyard.
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