How to Remove a Pool Cover by Yourself

blue mesh pool cover

You’ve made the smart investment of getting a cover professionally installed on your pool. Most pool covers are effective safety devices (the exception being leaf and evaporation covers) that also help keep your pool clean.

Unless you have an automatic cover, which opens and closes at the press of a button or flip of a switch, and unless you have someone around to help, it can help to learn how to remove the pool cover by yourself. We recommend waiting to remove or apply the cover until you can ask a friend or family member to help; the extra pair of hands can go a long way. But if you need to do it on your own, it can be done.

This process will vary slightly depending on the type of cover you have.

Mesh Pool Covers

blue mesh pool cover

All-Safe’s mesh pool covers are some of the strongest and sturdiest you can find. They’re made of durable weather-resistant mesh and strong straps. These covers don’t collect water when it rains and can help keep debris out of your pool. Additionally, All-Safe covers are independently tested by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and can hold the weight of an adult in an emergency.

Your local All-Safe dealer will teach you how to put on a pool cover by yourself after installation. We recommend mesh covers if you need to close and winterize your pool. These covers can be heavy, and may take anywhere from 10–30 minutes to remove, so it’s best to get a friend to help.

If no one is able to help you, here’s how to remove a mesh pool cover by yourself:

1. Clean the Cover

Because mesh covers prevent leaves and debris from falling into your pool, you need to clean this debris off before removing the cover so leaves don’t fall into the water. You can use a hose with a nozzle attachment to blast the debris off the cover and away from your pool. Then, it’s good to sweep away any debris caught under the edges of the cover.

2. Detach the Cover Straps from the Pool Deck

Go around the pool and detach the anchor loops of the cover from the anchors. Use a hex-head tool to loosen the anchors, and the loops will slip off. Be careful not to let the cover fall into the pool at this stage.

3. Pull the Cover Away from the Pool

This is where having a friend comes in handy. When you pull the cover off, try to fold it over itself in your direction. This will position it upside down once it’s off of the water, and the wet part can more easily dry. The technique for how to remove a pool cover by yourself can be tricky, but you’ll get it before long.

4. Inspect It and Let It Air Dry

Take the cover away from the pool and weigh it down at the corners if necessary. Make sure there are no tears or holes and clean off any remaining debris. Let the cover air dry and then fold it.

If you need to know how to put on a pool cover by yourself, complete these steps in reverse, taking extra care not to allow the cover to sink beneath the water as you reattach the straps and deck anchors.

We recommend mesh covers and learning how to remove your pool cover by yourself to families who only need to remove or reapply the cover a few times per year.

green leaf pool cover

Leaf Pool Covers

All-Safe’s leaf pool covers are lighter and thinner than mesh, so they’re easier to remove and reapply more frequently. These are not safety devices unless paired with a pool net underneath, which we recommend. Both the net and the cover attach to the same grommets, so simultaneous installation of both is quick and easy.

Leaf pool covers are made from a tightly knit polyethylene material that allows rain and water to pass through, but keeps debris out. We customize the cover to the unique shape of your pool, and you can choose your preferred color to match your yard’s aesthetic.

Here’s how to Remove a Leaf Pool Cover by Yourself:

1. Undo the Grommets Near the Reel.

Don’t undo all of them right away or the cover may sink into the water. Only undo the ones closest to the reel.

2. Securely Attach the Cover to the Reel, then Undo the Rest of the Grommets.

Be sure you give yourself enough leeway to securely attach the cover before undoing the rest of the grommets.

3. Undo the Grommets.

Go around the perimeter of your pool, undoing grommets as you walk. Be careful of rock formations or other pool additions that may require you to lean over the water to reach the grommets.

4. Return to the Spool and Reel Your Leaf Cover in.

The process for how to remove a leaf pool cover by yourself should take approximately 15 minutes or less. Your leaf cover is porous enough that it doesn’t need to dry the way a mesh cover would before storage.

If you have a pool net underneath your leaf cover, watch the video below to see how to remove and store your net safely.

Similar to mesh covers, if you need to know how to put on a pool cover by yourself, do these steps in reverse. Make sure to anchor at least a handful of grommets before completely releasing the cover from the reel.

Solar Covers

eleven sun rings floating on pool’s surface

It’s even easier to learn how to remove solar pool covers by yourself than mesh and leaf covers. Solar pool covers usually don’t attach to the pool itself and simply float on top of the water to help warm the pool and prevent evaporation. To remove them, simply scoop them off the top of the water.

Solar covers and evaporation covers are not safety devices. So, while solar pool covers are useful to save on heating, water, and chemical costs, do not use them alone. We recommend putting solar covers underneath your pool net.

Contact All-Safe Pool Fence & Covers

If you need help choosing your perfect cover or learning how to remove your pool cover by yourself, contact All-Safe today. Our professional team of local dealers will arrive on time at your home to provide a free consultation to help you figure out the best pool cover solution for your needs.

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Color Variations

Colors on your screen or brochure may not match the actual color of your product.

Due to the many variations in monitors, phones, and browsers, color samples and product examples may appear different on different screens. Computers and mobile devices are not all calibrated equally and color reproduction on the Internet is not precise. The same is true for printed items such as brochures and other sales literature. 

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Many of our products’ materials are not available through typical stores and vendors and therefore must be custom manufactured specifically for our use. In order to control costs and provide you with the best value possible, our raw materials are produced in large batches and can often take several months to receive. The colors of our materials can, and often do, vary slightly from batch to batch. Although we make every effort to minimize color variations, we cannot be responsible for these differences when they occur. If a precise color or specific shade is important, please inspect the actual color of your product prior to installation.

Color names are subjective and may not be what you think the color should be.

For example, we use the name “putty” to describe some of our products. Your idea of the color “putty” may be different than someone else’s idea of “putty”. In addition, products may have the same color name but may not be the exact same color. For example, we have different shades of “black”. Please do not order using color names as your only guide. If a precise color or specific shade is important, please inspect the actual color of your product prior to installation.

Inspect the actual color of your product prior to installation.

If it is important that your product be an exact color or shade, it is highly recommended that you inspect the actual product prior to its installation and address any concerns with your local independent installer. Most independent installers do not offer refunds or accept returns due to color variations.