Aboveground Cover Installation

• 1). Place air pillows on top of the water surface. Air pillows float on the surface of the water, under the cover, and absorb any expansion of ice that forms inside the pool. Air pillows also help prevent covers from dipping or sinking down into the pool water. Generally two air pillows are sufficient for a normal-size pool. It is unsafe to use a solid cover on an aboveground pool without either using the air pillows, regularly vacuuming off excess water or both.
  
  
• 2). Unfold the winter cover near the aboveground pool. Position the section of the cover holding the nylon cord ends near the point on the pool's railing holding the cover installation holes. Typically the railing on aboveground pools has holes installed for winter covers to tie onto. If no holes exist position the cover near a suitable location on the railing. The cords can be tied to whatever's available, such as a ladder.
  
  
• 3). Pull the cover section with the cord ends onto the railing. Loosely tie the cord ends to the railing holes or other stable object to anchor the cover.
  
  
• 4). Move around the edge of the pool while pulling the cover onto the railing, ensuring it catches under the railing's lip. Get the help of a friend if the pool is too large for one person to effectively pull the cover onto the pool. Keep pulling the cover up onto the railing until the entire pool is covered by the winter cover.
  
  
• 5). Tie the cord more tightly to the railing to completely secure the cover to the pool. Vacuum any water that may have gotten on top of the cover during installation with a sump pump or shop vacuum.
  
  

In-Ground Cover Installation

• 1). Unfold the winter cover along one side of the in-ground pool. If using already installed cover anchors, secure the length of one side of the cover to the pool's anchors. If using water bags, place water bags along the pool side on top of the cover to hold it down. Most in-ground pool anchors protrude slightly from the pull deck and compatible covers have small straps designed to slip over the anchor, which holds the cover in place.
  
  
• 2). Grab one corner of the winter cover on the opposite side of the cover from the secured section. Pull the cover corner to the opposite side of the in-ground pool. Secure the cover's corner to the pool's corner using the anchors or a water bag. Move to the other free corner of the cover and take it across the pool. Secure the corner to the pool's corner with the anchors or a water bag.
  
  
• 3). Walk around the pool, securing the cover by using the anchors or water bags. Once the cover is fully secured, pump off any water that got on top of the cover during installation with a sump pump or shop vacuum.