What does a pool pillow do in the winter?
An air pillow’s primary purpose is to protect the above- ground pool from freezing water by acting as an “ice compensator”; when water freezes and expands, the pillow creates space for the ice to expand inward, preventing it from pushing against and damaging the pool walls. When winterizing an above ground pool, add an air pillow to the center of the pool before adding the cover. The pool pillow will help absorb the expansion of the pool water when it freezes and will help with pressure on the cover from snow accumulation.You should inflate the air pillow to about 60% of its capacity to allow for compression. You should also place two strips of duct tape over the air valve to ensure the pillow doesn’t deflate over the winter. The air pillow will be more effective if it remains in the center of the pool.An air pillow helps to attract freezing water as it expands and relieves the pool walls from the stress of water expansion. Air pillows also help reduce excess water, leaves, debris and snow on your winter cover.There’s really no pool cover pillow alternative. While it may be tempting to use something you already have on hand, like an exercise ball, beach ball, or pool float to help distribute the water, that won’t work the same as a specially designed air pillow.They shield your pool from falling leaves, twigs, and other debris that can accumulate during the off-season. This keeps the pool water cleaner and reduces the effort required for spring cleanup, making pool maintenance more manageable. Winter covers also contribute to algae prevention.
What can you use instead of a pool pillow?
Just use an innertube/float that you have. They hold up better than those pillows. I switched to inner tubes 3 years ago. The pool pillows never last. Just fill it enough to look full, not as if you would use it to sit on. ALSO, put a piece of styrofoam board or something on top.
Do pool pillows really work?
The only purpose of a pool pillow is to keep your cover off the water. It has NOTHING to do with taking the pressure off the walls during freezing weather. How could it, it just floats on top. Water expands when it freezes, it will expand upwards as that is the path of least resistance, walls will be fine. If you didn’t use a pillow, the pressure from the ice pushing on the walls could damage the cover, liner, and the walls themselves. In other words, using a pool air pillow can save you from costly repairs and replacements. It’s cheap insurance that’s well worth having.A winter pool cover helps keep your pool free of debris, reduces algae growth by blocking sunlight, and protects your pool from harsh winter weather. It also acts as a safety barrier, preventing accidental falls and damage to the pool.