How to Keep a Pool Cover From Blowing Off

Written by Michael Dean
June 9, 2023

pool cover blowing off

Pool covers are the best way to keep your pool and all your pool equipment healthy. However, if you live in a windy or hurricane-prone region and are facing some trouble with the cover blowing off, it may be worth investing in something that will keep your cover in place.

Luckily, there are a lot of solutions (most of them budget-friendly!). I will cover a range of options, including clips, weights, anchors, cover tracks, and more!


Main Takeaways

  • Solutions to consider to keep an above ground pool cover in place include using a cable and winch, pool clips, or a cover seal.
  • Solutions for inground pool covers include concrete anchors, water tubes, and pool sandbags.
  • If you have a large budget, consider investing in an automatic slatted pool cover system or cover tracks.

10 Ways To Keep Your Pool Cover From Blowing Off

There are many different ways to keep your pool cover from blowing off. Here are 10 of my top suggestions!

Cable and Winch

If you have an above ground pool, a cable and winch system is a great way to hold down a pool cover during windy days. It costs around $15 to $25 to get a basic set online.

Installation is easy: you have to thread the cable through the pool cover, pass it through the two holes in the winch, and then use it to reinforce the cable tightly, securing the cover. Make sure it is tight and invest in a good quality cable and winch – a faulty set can easily snap and release the cover.

If you already use a cable and winch system and still face issues, consider investing in a new pair. For added protection, you could also add cover clips to keep the pool cover in place.

Pool Cover Cable and Winch Kit

This is a nice basic cable and winch set that should work for most above ground pools.

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Cover Clips

Using cover clips is probably the easiest and most affordable way of keeping a cover from being blown off by the wind or yielding to excess rain water – especially if you have an above-ground pool. Cover clips function exactly like clothing pegs for laundry, except they’re heavy-duty high-tension clips specifically made for above ground pool covers.

You can pick up a large pack of these clips at a local pool store or get them online – a pack can cost around $11 to $30, depending on how many clips are included in the pack.

Installation is easy. Simply clamp the cover using the clips to the top railing of your pool. Place the clips at even distances, and the cover should hold for moderately windy days. If you live in a place with high winds and severe storms, it’s best to pair the clips with other methods, such as a cable and winch system or some weights.

60-Pack Pool Winter Cover Clips

Here is a big pack of cover clips that are easy to install.

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Cover Seal

If you want to completely seal off your above ground pool for the winter with no chance of even a small spider creeping under the cover, I’d recommend buying a roll of pool cover seal. This is like plastic saran wrap for your pool cover, except it’s a low-density, UV-resistant polyester blend that grips the top rail of your pool and creates an absolute seal over the water, blocking out any chance of wind, dirt, or small animals. This will also save you a lot of time cleaning your pool cover at the start of the season.

A roll costs around $20 to $25 online and is also an effective and easy way to keep your cover in place and extend its life as well. However, while manufacturers may claim otherwise, such material is not recyclable or reusable, making it less eco-friendly than other options.

Horizon Winter Cover Sealer for Above Ground Pool Covers

Horizon makes a good winter cover sealer that I've used before, and it works great. This roll has 500 feet of sealer in it.

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Concrete Anchors

Concrete anchors are a great option for more secure and long-term coverage for an inground pool — ideally when you close your pool for a good few months. This method is not good for those needing to remove a pool cover every other day. Installation is a bit mechanical, and you would need a drill bit, but proper installation guarantees security.

Water Tubes

Another effective method for keeping an inground pool cover in place is a set of water tubes. As implied by the name, these are effective and heavy-duty tubes that you fill with water using a garden hose. To use them, place them on the edges of the pool cover, and they’ll keep the cover in place all season long. Users have reported 18-gauge tubes holding their pool cover down at wind speeds of even 50 – 70 mph.

Drain the tubes and store them in your shed or garage for storage. Water tubes also make it easy to open your pool since you just have to drag them off the cover, which makes them a great option for those who want an easily accessible solution. However, you need to watch out for any wild animals (or even a house cat) digging their claws into the tube and causing leaks or punctures.

Pool Sandbags

If you’re worried about a water tube or water pillow leaking, you could opt for sandbags designed specifically for inground pool covers. Placing water-resistant sandbags at an even distance around the edges of your pool cover will deter even the strongest winds. You can make this option even more secure by adding some pool clips to the edges of your cover as well.

Cover Tracks

Cover tracks are another effective way of really securing an inground pool cover. You can get a cover where tracks come pre-installed or pick them up separately at any pool supplies shop, depending on the type of cover you have.

Once installed, the edges of the cover slide into the tracks — locking them in place and leaving no chance of the cover being swept off in high-intensity winds or rainstorms. However, keep in mind that the tracks require a bit of maintenance and are expensive to install. It would be best to have a professional come over for the installation process.

Still, I believe these are excellent options for owners frustrated with short-term solutions such as weights or seals.

Automatic Slatted Pool Covers

Investing in an automatic slatted pool cover means you get complete control over your pool’s coverage all year round – protection from evaporation during the summer and security against damage from the elements during the winter. This option assures you safety and drastically reduces the time and money you would spend maintaining manual pool covers. You can add this to an existing pool since it can be customized to fit the size and shape of any pool.

It’s also possible to get a submerged cover option where the roller shaft and the cover fit neatly within the pool’s structure, making it an aesthetically superior display whenever you open or close the pool via a remote.

While the convenience of such an option is unmatched, the cost is definitely an important factor for many. You’re looking at easily spending around $12,000 – $22,000 for one of these covers. It’s best to consult a professional for more advice on this option.

DIY

For a DIY solution, attach clamps to the edges of your pool cover (the more, the better!). Once you have them securely in place, use bungee cords to tie the cover to some tent stakes.

Check Your Pool Cover

If you cannot prevent the cover from blowing off despite trying out some of these solutions, look closely at the cover itself. Is it trimmed perfectly to the pool’s shape? Is the material durable? Did you install your pool cover the correct way? As a rule of thumb, try to go for a cover that uses vinyl, polypropylene, or UV-stabilized polyethylene material since these can withstand the usual wear and tear and ensure the cover is the perfect size for your pool.

If you don’t think you have the right pool cover, check out my recommendations of the best pool covers and see which one is right for you!

Get My Free Pool Care Checklist

Download my free, printable pool maintenance checklist to help you accomplish regular pool care tasks for any type of swimming pool.

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Bottom Line

Your pool cover is an important part of pool maintenance, so it’s imperative that you take good care of it. Many pool owners experience pool covers blowing off in the wind. But thankfully, there are plenty of solutions, ranging from different types of weights to seals and more. Whatever option you choose, you can ensure your cover is safer from the strong winds now! If you decide to simply remove your pool cover, check out my article on how to store your pool cover.

More questions? Let me know!

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