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PSC Ep. 54: Do I need an air pillow under my pool cover?

Poolside Chat Episode 54: Do I need an air pillow under my pool cover?
author avatar Matthew Simmons
author avatar Matthew Simmons
Swimming pool expert at InyoPools and host of Poolside Chat, brings over a decade of experience in the pool industry.
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In today’s episode of Poolside Chat, Rob and Matt tackle another common swimming pool question:
  • Do I need a winter cover air pillow?

I’m about to winterize my above ground pool. Do I need to place an air pillow under my winter cover? 

We strongly recommend using an air pillow under your winter cover. The first reason to install a winter cover air pillow is to protect your pool from expanding ice. When you don’t use an air pillow, the cover sits right on top of the water and the ice will want to expand outwards. That’s not good because that’s going to affect your pool liner.

Your pool will respond like a soda can in the freezer; the walls begin to bulge. With the air pillow in place, the water will freeze but exert it’s pressure inwardly onto the winter cover air pillow.

The second reason is a water weight distribution. The air pillow prevents water from pooling in the center of the cover. Instead, the weight of the water is evenly distributed around air pillow. This weight distribution can prevent the cover from sinking or tearing. It also makes it easier to pump out sitting water.

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Matthew Simmons Technical Writer & Pool Product Expert
Swimming pool expert at InyoPools and host of Poolside Chat, brings over a decade of experience in the pool industry.
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48 responses to “PSC Ep. 54: Do I need an air pillow under my pool cover?”

  1. Paul d Avatar
    Paul d

    In massachusetts we buy a barrel a plastic barrel that’s sealed it should last you forever 25.00

    Reply
    1. ME Avatar
      ME

      Where do you buy such barrels for $25…
      mteaster123@gmail.com
      Thanks

      Reply
  2. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    Pool pillows are a scam. How are they to prevent the ice from expanding outward against your pool wall when they float on top of the water?? When the rain and snow accumulate on top that pool pillow will not prevent the cover from sinking, just where the water may be. I have not used one in Wisconsin on 28′ above ground with no problems.

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth LaMasse Avatar
    Elizabeth LaMasse

    My pool pillow broke already. First time in 9 years this happen. It’s only November in Illinois should I replace it?

    Reply
  4. Tammy Avatar
    Tammy

    Thinking of using truck innertube with exercise ball in center of it. Any thoughts?

    Reply
    1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
      Matthew Simmons

      Go for it. Tell us how it works out.

      Reply
  5. Thomas Avatar
    Thomas

    Exercise balls work great. Very durable, inexpensive, and can be used for years.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Anonymous

      How do you tie it up?

      Reply
  6. Myriam Avatar
    Myriam

    I don’t know how they were made back in the days, but today’s pillows are just a scam. $5 or $25 ones act the same: they pop or deflate before the weather gets really cold. Is it possible to replace the pillow by a floating ring made of a dozen of empty jugs for example?

    Reply
    1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
      Matthew Simmons

      I have not seen anyone try the barge of jugs solution, but if you do let us know how it works. You may also want to try an innertube.

      Reply
  7. Leslie B Avatar
    Leslie B

    I’ve had really good luck using a blow up exercise ball. They are pretty sturdy. I’ve used the same one 3 years in a row.

    Reply
    1. Elena Avatar
      Elena

      How in the world do you get the cover over it?

      Reply
  8. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Are these needed for inground pools?

    Reply
    1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
      Matthew Simmons

      Air pillows can be used on inground and above ground pools;

      Reply
  9. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    There has got to be a better way! Every pool pillow I have paid good money for, centered in my pool and covered has popped or deflated before the ice even starts! Waste of money, they’re not made very strong. Have used an inner tube, but would like to have something that works as it should. Suggestions?

    Reply
    1. Rudy Puister Avatar
      Rudy Puister

      Inner tubes from truck wheels?

      Reply
      1. Avatar
        Anonymous

        That’s what I use. They last years. Just don’t over fill them

        Reply
        1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
          Matthew Simmons

          If they are good enough for floating down a river and sliding down a snowy slope, there is no reason they couldn’t be great at that too.

          Reply
      2. Michael Badame Avatar
        Michael Badame

        Look on YouTube for above ground pool drain, you just install a drain at the return inlet that penetrates the top of your pool cover.

        Reply
    2. Tom B Avatar
      Tom B

      Tom

      I put a string of one gallon plastic jugs (Bleach jugs work great) about half filled with stones to make them sink about half way. Run a line through them and tie off each jug then run the jugs length wise down you pool and tie each end of the string to a rock. Close your cover. If your pool freezes the jugs will collapse and absorb the pressure. Been doing this for years without a problem.

      Reply
  10. Marie Avatar
    Marie

    I did not like them. No matter what we did the wind would blow them over to one side.. We got this drain that you put in the center of your cover and attach to the return opening. When the water fills it up it drains outside of your pool into the yard.

    Reply
    1. Roger Avatar
      Roger

      Marie, where di you get the drain? That sounds like an excellent choice for me here in California where I have no snow but winter rain when we aren’t in a drought! Thanks in advance!

      Reply
      1. Kim in KY Avatar
        Kim in KY

        I got one last year that worked great. Got it at my local pool supply store. It’s like a mini-sump pump. You attach a garden hose to the end of it. It’s electric so need to plug in to outside plug and then run the pool over the edge of deck. It would automatically stop when water went down. I would have to bring it in during extreme cold but personally I think air pillows are for extra money and not really helpful. Sorry just my personal opinion.

        Reply
        1. Steve Avatar
          Steve

          I thought that too but I’ve haven’t use a pillow for a few and now my liner is straight anymore doesn’t lie flat inside! So I just always use in a pillow
          Now!! Before it gets worst

          Reply
        2. Jamie kinnett Avatar
          Jamie kinnett

          Does anyone want to purchase a pool

          Reply
          1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
            Matthew Simmons

            I do not. We also do not recommend buying old above ground pools: PSC Ep. 52: Should I buy a used above ground pool?

          2. Delene St Clair Avatar
            Delene St Clair

            Go to Facebook and sign up for your local neighborhood FB page and post there.

    2. Marie Williams Avatar
      Marie Williams

      .where did you get it from. That sounds wonderful

      Reply
    3. Rick@stovercompany.com Avatar
      Rick@stovercompany.com

      Is there a trick to getting your pillow under your winter cover.i just bought a new pillow Friday and covered my pool Saturday as nd the pillow is deflated.how can i get a nother under the cover without taking off the cover

      Reply
      1. Matthew Simmons Avatar
        Matthew Simmons

        Unfortunately, there is no magic trick to get the new pillow under there. The cover will have to be at least partially removed to gett the new pillow into place.

        Reply
      2. JC Williams Avatar
        JC Williams

        I partially inflated ours and slide it under the cover after loosening it. Then pumped the pillow up to around 80%. Used a skimmer net to push the pillow in where I wanted it. I actually just ordered two more pillows because the one I adore were not enough so hoping this will do it.

        Reply

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