A pool cover pump is an absolute necessity for pool owners and this article will certainly show you why.
Whether you’ve had your pool for years or are just starting out, at some point in time you will have heavy rains fall on your pool’s winter cover and you will need to find a way to remove the standing water before your cover succumbs to the pressure. And if not heavy rains it could be all of the melting snow (for those in the Northern climates) that is creating huge puddles of water on your very expensive pool topper.
Whatever your situation is, the bottom line is standing water on your seasonal cover can cause heavy damage to the cover itself and the side walls of above ground pools and can be an expensive problem to fix if left alone.
Ultimate Guide to the Best Cover Pumps for Your Pool – Our TOP 5:
| Picture | Brand/Model | Gallons Per Hour (Gph) | Price | Rating | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne WAPC250 | Up to 3000 | $$$ | 4.6 | Read Review... |
| Little Giant PCP550 | 550 | $ | 4.5 | Read Review... |
| Superior Pump 91330 | 2400 | $$ | 4.3 | Read Review... |
| Rule 1800 | 1800 | $$$ | 3.5 | Read Review... |
| Little Giant 5-APCP | 1200 | $$$$ | 3.0 | Read Review... |
Automatic Pumps – The Perfect Solution!
Waiting for the sun to dry out the top of your swimming pool tarp or bailing the water by hand or with buckets is definitely not a good solution. 
But, a good automatic water remover could save you from a lot of back breaking work and last you a lifetime too. It’s all about removing the water quickly and most importantly automatically so you don’t have to worry about the cover buckling from the enormous weight of the water.
Guidance on Selecting the Best Pump
OK, so if you own a pool and you cover it during the off season, you have probably figured out that you need a good method of removing water before it freezes. Here are some tips on how to choose one that will work for you…
- How big is your cover or tarp? The bigger the cover of your pool the more area you will have where water can accumulate. This will ultimately determine the size and type of pump you will need to buy.
- What kind of climate do you live in? If you live in a warm climate and rarely have a cover on your pool you may not need a very big or expensive water pump. However, if you live in rainy climates or areas prone to
large accumulations of snow and ice, you will need to buy a heavy duty pump that can handle being out in the elements for long periods of time. - What does your budget look like? You can purchase hand water removal gadgets for as little as twenty dollars or automatic well made pumps for well over a hundred dollars. Your budget will play a big part in the type of machine you buy and the features it may have.
- Will you do more than use it for your pool? Some suction pumps are made strictly for taking water off of a winter cover and others can be used for pumping water out of basements or just about any place where water accumulates.
- Lastly, don’t forget the basics when choosing a pump. Check things like the gallons per hour (Gph) that the machine can handle, how easy they are to clean, if it’s an automatic pump or whether you have to manually pump the water by hand, how long the warranty is and finally how others have rated or reviewed the pump.
The Best Method to Purchase a Pump for your Pool Cover
The smartest approach to making a wise decision when buying a pump is to make sure you take the time to read reviews and choose the best model to fit your needs that also has the top reviews. Check out the Amazon.com reviews and use my rule of thumb which is to make sure the product has at least 30 buyer ratings and has an overall rating of between 3.5 and 5 stars. If you see average ratings of 2-3 stars, it’s best to find another pump that most people like. And, while you’re reading reviews, make a list of the pro’s and con’s and use that information to make the best decision for you. When you finally narrow down the choices, find the best price out of the final list and you will most likely have a winner.