Winter can be brutal on your pool—but the real damage often isn't from the cold itself. It's from the water sitting on top of your pool cover.
We've seen it happen too many times: a pool owner skips the cover pump to save a few dollars, only to discover in spring that their cover is torn, their pool is full of debris, or worse—their cover has collapsed into the pool entirely. What seemed like a minor oversight turns into hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements.
The good news? This is completely preventable. A simple cover pump—often costing less than $100—can save you from catastrophic damage and make your spring pool opening infinitely easier. Let's walk through exactly how standing water damages your pool setup and why investing in a cover pump is one of the smartest decisions you'll make as a pool owner.
The Hidden Dangers of Standing Water on Your Pool Cover
When rain, snow, or ice melt accumulates on your pool cover, it's not just an eyesore. That water is actively working to destroy your cover and potentially damage your pool structure. Here's what's happening:
Weight and Stress on Cover Material
Water is heavy—about 8.3 pounds per gallon. Even a modest puddle of 50 gallons weighs over 400 pounds. Now imagine that weight concentrated on one section of your cover, pulling at the seams, stretching the fabric, and stressing the attachment points.
Pool covers are designed to span across your pool and shed water, not to hold it. When water accumulates and sits for days or weeks, the constant downward pressure causes:
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Seam separation: The stitching that holds your cover together starts to pull apart
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Fabric stretching: The cover material becomes permanently deformed and saggy
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Anchor point failure: The grommets, straps, or clips securing your cover can tear out
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Material degradation: Prolonged contact with standing water accelerates UV damage and chemical breakdown
A quality winter pool cover costs anywhere from $100 to $500 or more. Replacing it because you didn't pump off standing water is an expensive mistake that's entirely avoidable.
The Sagging Problem Gets Worse Over Time
Here's where things get especially tricky: once your cover starts to sag from water weight, it creates a deeper pocket that collects even more water. It becomes a vicious cycle. What started as a shallow puddle becomes a deep pool that's harder to pump out and causes exponentially more damage.
In extreme cases, covers can sag so severely that they touch the water surface inside your pool or even sink below it. When this happens, your cover is no longer protecting anything—it's become part of the problem.
Ice Formation and Cover Damage
If you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing, standing water on your cover can freeze solid. This creates several serious problems:
Ice expansion: When water freezes, it expands. This expansion puts tremendous force on your cover material and can tear even heavy-duty covers.
Ice dams: Frozen water at the edges of your cover can prevent newly melted water from draining off, creating even larger pools of water once temperatures rise.
Increased weight: Ice weighs slightly less than water per volume, but because frozen puddles tend to accumulate more precipitation on top, the total weight often increases significantly.
We've seen covers with massive tears and holes caused entirely by repeated freeze-thaw cycles on standing water that wasn't pumped off.
Debris, Algae, and Contamination
Standing water isn't just destructive—it's also disgusting. That puddle on your cover quickly becomes:
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A breeding ground for mosquitoes: Stagnant water is the perfect place for mosquitoes to lay eggs, creating a health nuisance
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An algae farm: Even in winter, algae can grow in standing water exposed to sunlight
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A debris collector: Leaves, twigs, pollen, and other organic matter settle in the water and begin to decompose
When spring arrives and you remove your cover, all that contaminated water can easily spill into your pool, introducing algae spores, bacteria, and organic debris that make your pool opening much more difficult and expensive.
Cover Collapse Into the Pool
This is the nightmare scenario—and it happens more often than you'd think.
When a cover becomes so weighed down with water (and possibly ice) that it can no longer support its own weight, it can collapse into the pool. This is especially common with above-ground pools but can happen with in-ground pools too if the cover isn't properly secured.
When a cover collapses:
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The cover itself is usually ruined beyond repair
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All the accumulated debris and contaminated water dumps directly into your pool
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Your pool water chemistry is thrown completely off balance
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You may need to drain and clean the entire pool before you can use it
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In severe cases, the weight can damage pool walls, liners, or plumbing
We're talking about potential damage costs of $1,000 to $5,000 or more—all to avoid spending less than $100 on a cover pump.
How a Pool Cover Pump Prevents This Damage
The solution to all these problems is beautifully simple: remove the water before it can cause damage.
A pool cover pump sits on top of your cover and pumps accumulated water away to a safe drainage area. That's it. But this simple action prevents every single problem we just discussed.
Immediate Benefits of Using a Cover Pump
Protects your investment: Your pool cover lasts for years instead of months, saving you hundreds in replacement costs.
Prevents structural damage: By keeping weight off your cover, you protect the cover itself, the anchor points, and even your pool structure.
Keeps your pool cleaner: Water that's pumped off can't introduce contaminants into your pool when you remove the cover in spring.
Reduces spring opening work: Without accumulated debris and contaminated water to deal with, getting your pool ready for summer is faster and easier.
Eliminates health hazards: No standing water means no mosquito breeding grounds and no stagnant, algae-filled puddles.
Provides peace of mind: Especially with automatic pumps, you can travel or simply ignore your pool all winter knowing it's protected.
Choosing the Right Cover Pump for Maximum Protection
Not all cover pumps are created equal, and choosing the right one makes all the difference in protecting your pool. Here's what you need to know:
Manual vs. Automatic: Which Offers Better Protection?
Manual pumps require you to physically turn them on and position them where water has accumulated. They work well if you're diligent about checking your cover regularly, but they depend entirely on you being present and proactive.
Automatic pumps have built-in sensors that detect when water reaches a certain depth (usually 1/8 to 1/4 inch) and turn on by themselves. They run until the water is pumped down, then shut off automatically.
For maximum protection against damage, we strongly recommend automatic pumps. Here's why: damage often happens during extended rain events or when you can't check your pool for several days. An automatic pump is always on duty, responding immediately when water accumulates—even if you're on vacation or simply busy with life.
The BLACK+DECKER 350 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump at $59.99 (save $30) is an excellent entry-level automatic option that provides reliable protection without breaking the bank.
GPH Rating: How Much Power Do You Need?
GPH (gallons per hour) tells you how quickly a pump can remove water. For preventing damage, faster is generally better because it means less time with water sitting on your cover.
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350 GPH: Adequate for small to medium pools in areas with light to moderate precipitation
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800 GPH: Better for medium to large pools or areas with more frequent rain
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1500 GPH: Best for large pools, heavy precipitation areas, or maximum protection
If you live in an area with heavy winter rainfall or significant snowmelt, consider the BLACK+DECKER 1500 GPH Automatic Pool Cover Pump at $89.99 (save $120.01). The higher capacity means water never has a chance to accumulate dangerously, and the 25-foot power cord with 30-foot discharge hose gives you flexibility in positioning and drainage.
Features That Enhance Protection
Look for pumps with these protective features:
Debris screening: Prevents leaves and twigs from clogging the pump, ensuring it works when you need it most.
Freeze protection: Some pumps have thermostatic switches that prevent operation when temperatures drop below freezing, protecting the pump motor from ice damage.
Durable construction: Pumps built with corrosion-resistant materials last multiple seasons, providing years of protection.
Long power cords and discharge hoses: Ensure you can position the pump optimally and drain water far from your pool area.
Proper Installation: Maximizing Your Pump's Effectiveness
Having the right pump is only half the battle. Proper installation and positioning ensure maximum protection:
Finding the Low Spot
Water naturally flows to the lowest point on your cover. This is where you want your pump positioned. If you're using a manual pump, you'll move it as needed. With an automatic pump, try to position it where water most commonly accumulates.
Pro tip: If your cover tends to sag in multiple spots, consider using two pumps for comprehensive protection. This is especially wise for larger pools or areas with very heavy precipitation.
Using a Pool Pillow
For above-ground pools, placing an inflatable pool pillow or air pillow under the center of your cover creates a dome shape that encourages water to run off toward the edges rather than pooling in the middle. This makes your cover pump's job much easier and provides additional protection against ice damage.
Pool pillows typically cost $20-30 and are an excellent complement to your cover pump strategy.
Routing the Discharge Hose
Always direct pumped water away from your pool area. You don't want it draining back onto your cover or pooling near your pool's foundation where it could cause other problems.
Run the discharge hose at least 10-15 feet away, to a storm drain, drainage ditch, or area where water can safely absorb into the ground. Make sure the hose isn't kinked or blocked, as this will prevent proper drainage and reduce your pump's effectiveness.
Securing the Power Cord
Route your power cord safely to avoid tripping hazards, and never run it under your pool cover where it could get pinched or damaged. If you need to use an extension cord, make sure it's rated for outdoor use and is the appropriate gauge for your pump's power requirements.
For the ultimate in convenience, the 25-foot power cord on our BLACK+DECKER 1500 GPH model often eliminates the need for extension cords entirely.
Maintenance Tips: Keeping Your Pump Working All Winter
Your cover pump can only protect you if it's working properly. Follow these simple maintenance steps:
Regular Checks
Even with an automatic pump, check on your pool every week or two during winter. Look for:
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Signs that the pump has been running (wet discharge hose area)
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Any water accumulation that suggests the pump isn't keeping up
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Debris around the pump intake that might be blocking water flow
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Proper positioning (wind or cover movement can sometimes shift a pump)
Clearing Debris
Leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris can clog your pump's intake screen. Remove any visible debris whenever you check your pool. This five-minute task ensures your pump can work at full capacity when needed.
Post-Storm Inspections
After major rain or snow events, do a quick inspection to verify your pump handled the water load effectively. If you notice water accumulation despite your pump running, you may need a higher-capacity model or a second pump.
End-of-Season Care
When winter ends and you remove your cover, clean your pump thoroughly, check for any damage, and store it in a dry location. Proper care extends your pump's life and ensures it's ready for next winter.
The Real Cost of Not Using a Cover Pump
Let's put this in perspective with some real numbers:
Cost of a quality cover pump: $35-90
Cost of replacing a damaged pool cover: $100-500+
Cost of extra chemicals and cleaning if contaminated water enters your pool: $50-200
Cost of repairing pool structure damage from a collapsed cover: $500-5,000+
Cost of your time dealing with preventable problems: Priceless
Even in the best-case scenario where you only ruin a $150 cover, that's still more expensive than buying a pump—and you'll still need to buy a pump for the replacement cover anyway.
In the worst-case scenario of structural damage or a completely contaminated pool, you could easily spend 10-50 times what a good cover pump costs.
Additional Winter Protection Strategies
While a cover pump is essential, it works even better as part of a comprehensive winter protection strategy:
Proper Pool Chemistry
Before covering your pool for winter, balance your water chemistry properly. This makes your pool more resistant to algae growth and reduces corrosion risk. Even if some cover water does get into your pool, properly balanced water is more forgiving.
Quality Pool Cover
Invest in a durable winter cover designed for your climate. A heavy-duty cover with reinforced seams is less likely to fail even if water does accumulate. Think of it as working in partnership with your cover pump—each enhances the other's effectiveness.
Anchor System Maintenance
Check all your cover anchors, straps, and tie-downs before winter. Replace any damaged components. A properly secured cover is less likely to shift and create problem areas where water can accumulate.
Winterizing Your Plumbing
Properly winterize all pool plumbing to prevent freeze damage. Your cover pump protects the cover and pool surface, but your plumbing needs separate protection.
