When it’s springtime in Minnesota (or elsewhere), it’s time to uncover the pool. April showers bring May flowers but it also means a lot of water on top of the pool cover. Which can damage the pool cover and it prevents removal of the pool cover so you can enjoy your pool. If you need help on how to get water off a pool cover you are in the right place.
The cheap way to remove water off of a pool cover is to siphon it off with a garden hose. However, that won’t get all the water off the pool cover and it takes a lot more time an effort on your part. The smart way to get water off a pool cover is with a pool cover pump.
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Take a look at this very popular and best rated automatic pool cover pump (shown below).
- Pool Cover Maintenance – The WAYNE 1/4 HP Reinforced Thermoplastic Pool Cover Pump is a great addition to your pool maintenance. WAYNE model WAPC250 has iSwitch technology, which activates the pump once the water level is at, or above 2 1/8”. Auto Off deactivates the pump when water is at or below 3/4″
- Automatic Pumping – Water level must be at least 2-1/8” for the pump to turn on, prime, and operate. Water levels less than 2-1/8” won’t activate the iSwitch to start the pump, so manual activation will be needed
- Efficient Design – Energy efficient, high flow, oil-free pump. Easy on/off allows you to plug in and leave the pump unattended for worry-free water removal all winter long. Automatic freeze protection within the iSwitch technology helps prevent pump damage
- Additional Features – The strainer base filters out debris to minimize clogging and keeps the pump from tipping over. 25-foot power cord and 25-foot “pull-to-shore” rope included to help position the pump on the pool cover. Includes a 3/4″ garden hose adapter and check valve to reduce repetitive cycling
- Quality You Deserve – Proudly assembled in the USA for quality you can trust. Warrantied for 3 years for dependable, efficient, performance. This Auto Off pump will NOT run dry
- Auto On activates when water at, or above 2 1/8 in. has been detected. Auto Off activates when water at, or below 3/4 in. has been detected.
First: Skim Out The Leaves, Dead Bugs, Etc.
You must remove whatever might plug up the pool cover pump or you will waste time and effort constantly cleaning the pool cover pump.
So, get out the pool skimmer net and collect all the stuff floating on the pool cover.
- POOL LEAF RAKE: Strong and durable frame with rounded borders and mesh net bag. Long lasting accessory for the easiest pool maintenance.
- MULTIFUNCTION: Pool leaf cleaner with deep fine mesh bag handles both big clean-ups and small debris like leaves with just few passes.
- STURDY DESIGN: Universal holder fits any telescopic pole to extend your reach and pick leaves from the bottom of pool (pole not included).
- SAFE TO USE: Efficient in scooping up debris with rounded borders that guarantees the frame will not damage your swimming pool finish.
- EASY TO HANDLE: Keep your pool clean with minimal effort. The fastest way to clean your pool, suitable for above and inground pools.
Alternatively, you could wait until the sun and wind evaporate the water. Then you could use a leaf blower to help clean off the pool cover.
However, that will leave a lot of dirt stuck to the cover. Which really should be cleaned off before storage or to prevent decay of the cover. So, lets get that pool cover pump ready to go.
Get The Pool Cover Pump Ready To Use
This is pretty simple but impportant. Is the power cord safe to use? If there are any exposed wires – don’t use the pump! Being electrocuted is deadly. Either replace the pool cover pump or have it professionally repaired. Also, be sure to use a GFCI electrical outlet when using anything electrically powered near the pool.
Is the pool cover pump clean so there are no obstructions to prevent the pump from sucking up water? Good. Now attach the garden hose to where the water exits the pump.
The Best Location To Place The Pool Cover Pump
Place the pool cover pump in the deepest water location so that the most water is removed from the pool cover. Most automatic cover pumps will turn on when there is at least 2.5 inches of water depth. Also, they will shut off when the water level is about 3/8th of an inch deep.
Usually the deepest water is near the center of the pool cover. So, use something with a long handle, such as a broom, to push the pool cover pump where it is needed.
Next, get the garden positioned to drain the water to a safe location. Make sure the hose isn’t kinked, which would slow down the water flow.
Using An Extension Cord With The Pool Cover Pump?
The connection between the extension cord and the pump cord is NOT waterproof – it must not get wet! The very least that could happen is that the GFCI circuit will trip and shut off the water pump. The worst thing that could happen is that you get electrocuted.
Shown below is an outdoor GFCI that could save your life and will protect the water pump from being fried.
- ✅【Patented Auto-Monitor Every 5 Seconds】 This GFCI outlet will automatically conducts a self-test (auto-monitor) every 5 seconds to ensure the GFCI is continually working to protect people from electrocution, which exceeds the UL standards of self-test frequency of 3 hours.
- ✅【Always Safe】 The GFCI features low power consumption and long service life. The surge protection and lightning protection function withstanding 6 kilovolt. Performed 6000+ times factory test, which is twice the testing times of UL standard.
- ✅【Water Resistant GFCI】 Automatic Reset GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) with LED indicator reaches Level IP65 water proof, waterproof rating exceeds level UL 50E-3R. Built in LED power indicator light to show when there is power.
- ✅【Easy to Install】 No Grounding Wire Required. Provide 2 different grommets for wiring cable 14AWG, 16AWG and 18AWG. It’s necessary to press the Reset Button for initial plug in.
- ✅【Wide Application】 Durable industrial materials suit both for indoor and outdoor use in a variety of power pressure washer, pool pump, generators, vacuum cleaner, pumps, heaters, household electrical appliances, chargers, etc. UL & CUL Listed.
Using The Cover Pump To Remove Water
Don’t let the pump run dry because that will burn out the motor. So, if you have a manual sump pump you must watch it and stop the pump before it starts sucking air.
Whereas an automatic sump pump will turn on when there is enough water to activate it, and shut off when the water level drops to about 3/8ths inch deep.
Every pool cover sump pump will have a gallons per hour (GPH) rating. A pump with a lower GPH will take longer to empty the pool cover. Which could be a problem if a rain storm dumps a lot of water onto the pool cover, because all that weight can damage the cover. In which case you want to remove that water sooner than later.
After the pump starts working be sure to watch how it is performing. Make sure the water is flowing where you intended it to go. Once the garden hose fills with water the hose may move from the position you placed it in. Also, if the hose moves, that could tip the sump pump over where it could suck air and burn out.
Once you know everything is working properly you might be able to leave a manual cover pump for awhile if the pump’s GPH rating is low. However, you are better off staying with the sump pump until it has finished.
- COMPACT DESIGN: Durable and lightweight design will not weigh down your pool cover, which can often cause tears, sags, holes and other damage. Compact chassis makes carrying and storage a breeze.
- GIANT PERFORMANCE: This small but powerful machine can handle the toughest draining tasks with its 75-watt motor. Quickly removes still water that can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other water-borne pests.
- EASY TO USE: Draining your swimming pool has never been easier! Just place the water pump in the water, plug it into any standard wall outlet and you’re good to go. Manual shut off by unplugging the device. No switches to fuss with!
- FULL COMPATIBILITY: Our water pump includes a water hose and accessories to efficiently remove water from any pool depth without the hassle of using your own garden hose. Designed for both inground and above-ground pools, as well as hot tubs, spas, ponds and aquariums.
- DESIGNED IN THE USA: Proudly engineered and designed in the USA by a team of pool professionals with decades of experience. FibroPool takes pride in providing local jobs and working to produce an increasing selection of our products domestically.
With an automatic pool cover pump you can let it do its job.
Can I Leave The Cover Pump Out In The Rain Or Freezing Temperatures?
Do you remeber that I said the connection between the extension cord and the pump’s power cord is not water proof? So, if it rains that connect will short out and possibly ruin the pump’s motor. Hopefully, just the GFCI circuit breaker will activate and shut off the power with no harm done.
Never leave your pump out in freezing weather. The water inside the pump will expand when it freezes and damage the pump. No manufacturer’s warranty will cover freeze damage.
Removing The Pool Cover Sump Pump
Removing the cover pump is simple enough. First, unplug the pump. Grab the garden hose and pull the pump towards you. Disconnect the garden hose and store it. Then check the pump to see if it needs to be cleaned. Removing trash and dirt now will be much easier than later.
An Inexpensive Alternative For Smaller Pools
A pool air pillow placed under the pool cover will raise up the pool cover. Which will let water flow towards the edge of the pool. Typically some of the water will puddle at the edge of the pool but much of the water will flow over the side.
The bigger the pool is, the more pool pillows that will be needed. Additionally, pool pillows will reduce the amount of pool cover material that is available for securing the cover to the edge of the pool.
A pool pillow will also cause leaves to slide to the edge of the pool for easier removal.
- PROTECTION FOR YOUR POOL ALL WINTER: AquaBeacon Pool Pillow protects above-ground pool walls and pool covers from pressure caused by expanding ice. Our pool pillow creates surface tension which allows your pool to freeze in reverse i.e outside in vs inside out. This prevents expanding ice along side your pool walls.
- BUILT TO WITHSTAND COLD WINTER TEMPS: AquaBeacon Winter Pool Pillow is made from ultra-strong, Super durable, .4mm thick, cold-resistant PVC material.
- INFLATE & DEFLATE WITH EASE: Special, double fold valve, allows inflating and deflating 5X faster. The first fold provides air flow into the pool pillow without the loss of air.
- STAYS IN PLACE: Reinforced grommets at corners to keep the pillow in position at the center of the pool –Just slip the included rope through and tie the pool pillow to your pool.
- SAFETY GUARANTEED: All materials of products have been tested in accordance with product testing and standardized material specifications to guarantee product quality and consumer safety.
Final Thoughts On How To Get Water Off A Pool Cover
There are manual and automatic pool cover sump pumps that have different horse power and Gallons Per Hour (GPH) ratings. If you can afford the higher priced automatic and higher horse power pumps, that will be the best choice. Automatic sump pumps will let you do other things while the pump is working. Whereas, manual pumps or lower horse power pumps will make you wait longer to get into the pool.
If you need an automatic pool cover sump pump take a look at this selection.
Whereas, the more budget friendly manual pool cover sump pumps will get the job done. After all you don’t need a pool cover pump very often. So, check out this manual sump pumps to drain the pool cover Click Here
Last update on 2025-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API