What Happens to Your Pool When Leaves Fall Into It All Winter?

Fall leaves are beautiful until they land on your pool.

Once the pool is closed, it is easy to assume that the winter cover will take care of everything. But a pool can still be affected by leaves and organic debris throughout the fall.

Understanding what happens to those leaves can help you decide when your pool cover needs attention.

Leaves Don't Just Disappear

A leaf sitting on a pool cover will eventually become wet and start breaking down.

As more leaves accumulate, they can form a heavy, soggy layer across the cover.

Some debris may also find its way into the water depending on the type of cover and how well the cover is secured.

This is one reason fall maintenance doesn't completely stop when the pool is closed.

Organic Debris Can Affect Pool Water

Leaves, grass, twigs and other organic material contain material that can break down in water.

If debris enters the pool, it can contribute to staining, discolouration and additional cleanup when the pool is opened.

A pool that goes into winter clean and properly treated has a better starting point in spring than one that spends months collecting organic debris.

Leaves Can Also Become a Cover Problem

The issue isn't only what's happening underneath the cover.

Large amounts of wet leaves can become heavy.

They can also hold moisture against cover material and make the cover much more difficult to clean.

If your cover has been collecting leaves for weeks, don't wait until spring to deal with it.

After a Major Storm

After a major fall storm, check the pool area when it is safe.

Look for:

• Heavy leaf accumulation
• Fallen branches
• Damaged cover material
• Loose water bags
• Standing water
• Debris around the pool
• Signs that the cover has shifted

Address problems while they are still manageable.

Be Careful Removing Leaves

How you remove leaves depends on the cover.

Never assume that a standard winter cover can support your weight.

Do not walk across a standard winter cover to reach leaves in the middle of the pool.

Use equipment designed for removing debris from the type of cover you have.

For safety covers, follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.

What About a Leaf Net?

A leaf net can be useful for some pool owners because it can make seasonal leaf removal easier.

The correct product depends on your pool and cover setup.

A leaf net is not automatically a replacement for a winter cover or safety cover.

Instead, it can be used as part of a system for managing fall debris.

What Happens When Leaves Are Left Until Spring?

The longer organic debris sits around the pool, the more unpleasant spring cleanup can become.

Instead of opening the pool and concentrating on getting the water ready for swimming, you may first have to deal with:

• Large amounts of decomposed leaves
• Staining
• Dirty cover surfaces
• Excessive debris
• Additional algae

A few minutes of attention during the fall can make a noticeable difference.

Check Your Cover Before Winter Gets Serious

October is also a good time to inspect the condition of your winter cover.

Look for:

• Tears
• Weak seams
• Cracked or brittle material
• Missing hardware
• Damaged water bags
• Poor fit
• Areas where water is collecting excessively

If the cover is already showing significant wear, don't wait for a major winter storm to expose the problem.

PTL Direct Winter Protection

PTL Direct carries winter covers, safety covers, air pillows and other winterizing supplies for Canadian pool owners.

The right cover and accessories can make fall maintenance much easier and help keep your pool protected while it is not being used.

Your pool may be closed for the season, but October is still a good month to keep an eye on it.