Your safety cover worked all winter blocking debris, limiting UV exposure and protecting your liner while the pool sat closed. When spring arrives and it’s time to open up, how you remove and store that cover matters. A few extra minutes now can add years to the life of a cover that’s built to last two decades. Here’s how to do it right.
1. Clear the Cover Before You Remove It
Start by clearing any leaves, sticks or debris from the surface. A leaf blower or soft broom works well. If you have a Solid Vinyl Cover with standing water on top, use your cover pump to drain it before you do anything else. A waterlogged cover is heavier, harder to handle and more likely to drag across your deck.
2. Release the TruSteel Springs and Fold as You Go
Release the TruSteel Springs starting at one end of the pool and work lengthwise toward the other end. As you release each row of springs, fold that section of the cover over onto the next secured section. This keeps the loose cover resting on top of the still-anchored cover rather than falling into the water or dragging across the coping.
By the time you’ve worked your way across, the cover is already folded into a manageable section ready to lift away.
3. Lift It — Don’t Drag It
Dragging a safety cover across concrete, coping or rough decking wears down the edges, straps and anchor points faster than almost anything else. If the cover is large, have a second person help so you can lift and fold rather than pull. Your cover is built tough, but unnecessary abrasion shortens its life.
4. Rinse Both Sides and Let It Dry Completely
Lay the cover out flat in a clean area and rinse both sides with a garden hose. This removes the dirt, pollen, algae residue and pool chemicals that collect over a closed season. For stubborn spots, use a soft brush with mild soap. Skip the pressure washer and abrasive scrub pads.
Then let the cover dry completely before you fold it. This is the step most people skip and it’s the most important one. Storing a damp cover causes mildew, odors and staining that are hard to reverse. The 98.9 Ultra Mesh drains and dries quickly. A Solid Vinyl Cover needs more time. Flip it partway through and give it a full day if needed.
5. Inspect It While It’s Spread Out
While the cover is flat and dry, take a few minutes to look it over. Check for worn fabric, loose stitching, damaged straps, bent springs and any spots where it may have rubbed during a windy stretch. Anchor points take the most wear, pay close attention there.
Small issues caught now are easier and less expensive to address than damage found at the last minute on closing day. If something looks off, your Hydra dealer can help you figure out whether it needs a repair or a replacement part before next fall.
6. Fold Carefully and Use the Storage Bag
Fold the dry cover in sections without forcing sharp creases. Avoid packing it too tightly, especially around reinforced edges or attached hardware. If your cover came with a storage bag, use it. It keeps the cover clean, contained and easy to handle when it’s time to reinstall in the fall.
7. Store the Hardware Too
Clean and dry the TruSteel Springs and installation rod before putting them away. Store them somewhere you’ll find them in October. Lower your deck anchors flush with the pool deck. It prevents tripping hazards and keeps your pool area looking clean through swim season.
A safety cover that’s clean, dry and properly stored goes back on faster in the fall and lasts longer overall. Your Hydra cover is backed by a 20-year limited warranty. Proper care between seasons is the best way to make sure it earns every one of those years.
Questions about your cover or ready to find a replacement? Your local Hydra dealer can help.