Hey everyone, Al here! After all that talk about plugs, skimmers, and freeze protection, let’s step back and look at the rest of the yard. A closed pool is not a forgotten pool. I’ve learned that how leaves, furniture, and drainage are handled in September can make the difference between a quiet winter and a cover full of trouble.
Clear Leaves Before They Turn Heavy
Dry leaves are easy. Wet leaves become a heavy mat that stains covers, blocks cover-pump intakes, and holds moisture against hardware. Use a leaf blower on a low setting or a soft brush from the deck. Never use a metal rake on a pool cover or walk onto the cover to reach the middle.
On a solid cover, clear the leaves before pumping the water underneath them. On a mesh safety cover, remove piles before they break down into fine material that can wash into the pool.
Give Water a Safe Route Away
Check that downspouts, sump discharges, and the cover-pump hose move water away from the pool structure and equipment pad. Water that repeatedly collects beside a pool can contribute to deck movement, washout, or high groundwater pressure. Keep discharge hoses away from sidewalks where an early freeze can create a slick surprise.
Store the Summer Gear Properly
- Clean and dry floats before storage so mildew does not get a head start.
- Remove umbrellas, portable steps, and anything wind can throw onto the cover.
- Rinse tools and let them dry before storing them indoors.
- Keep pool chemicals in their original containers, dry and separated according to their labels.
- Leave the equipment pad accessible for quick inspections.
This is also when our team recommends taking inventory. I like to keep a spare water bag, winter plug, or patch nearby because those items are much easier to order now than during the first freezing rain. Our winter supplies collection is a convenient place to find the small pieces that tend to disappear between seasons.
One Last Walk Around
Before calling the cleanup finished, look for branches over the pool, loose fence hardware, open gates, and anything leaning against the equipment. Make sure the pool area is still secure even though swimming season is over.
A tidy yard is nice, but the real goal is fewer surprises. In the next post, we’ll answer a question that comes up when a warm fall hangs around: can a pool turn green under the cover because it was closed too early?
