Pool Air Pillow for Easier Winter Cover Care

Make standing water, wet leaves, and winter debris easier to see and reach by reducing one deep collection area beneath the middle of the cover.

A flexible winter cover naturally develops low areas. Once rain or meltwater settles into one depression, leaves and dirt follow the same path and become heavier as they absorb water. An EPN pool air pillow raises part of the middle, helping create shallower collection areas that are easier to inspect, pump, and clean from outside the pool.

25 gal of water weighs about 209 lb
50 gal of water weighs about 417 lb
Recommended pillow inflation: about 70%
Made with 0.5 mm cold-resistant PVC
Available in 6 flat sizes
Flat areas range from 9 to 64 sq ft
Mini Boston-style valve
Reinforced grommets and rope included
Cover pump not included
Regular surface care remains required

What Easier Cover Care Means

A pool pillow does not clean the cover by itself. Easier care means reducing one deep, difficult-to-reach basin so water, leaves, dirt, slush, and small debris can be identified and managed before they become heavier.

Better Surface Visibility

A deep center pocket can hide water depth and submerged debris from ground level. A gentler cover profile makes it easier to compare several areas and notice new buildup before leaves, needles, or dirt disappear beneath dark standing water.

Improved Pump Access

Cover pumps work best when their inlet can reach the actual low area without sliding into a steep fold. Shallower collection zones may provide more stable placement and make the hose easier to route from outside the pool.

Less Difficult Spring Cleanup

Wet leaves become heavier and may break apart after months in standing water. Removing buildup during winter can reduce the amount of dark water, softened organic material, and surface dirt handled during spring opening.

Why Water and Debris Collect Together

Flexible covers respond to gravity, water level, fastening tension, wind, and precipitation. Once a low point develops, each storm tends to send more material into the same location.

Water Deepens the Low Area

Rainwater adds weight as it gathers. The added weight pulls the cover lower, creating more space for later rainfall and meltwater. A small depression can therefore become a much deeper basin over several weather events.

Leaves Follow the Water

Dry leaves may first land across the entire cover, but wind and rainfall move them toward low sections. Once wet, they settle below the surface and become harder to reach with a standard leaf net.

Dirt Settles Below Debris

Dust, pollen, soil, bark fragments, and small plant material pass through larger leaves and collect at the bottom of the water pocket. These fine materials may stain the cover or block pump inlets.

How the Pillow Changes the Surface

The pillow works by changing the shape beneath the cover. It creates a raised middle while allowing the surrounding material to form shallower routes for rainwater and debris.

Creates a Broad High Area

At about 70% inflation, the chamber should form a rounded but slightly flexible surface. The cover can settle over a broader area instead of resting on one narrow, rigid peak.

Reduces One Deep Basin

Raising the middle may reduce the depth of the largest central depression. Smaller low areas may still form around the raised section depending on cover slack, water level, wind, and fastening tension.

Moves Maintenance Areas

The lowest point may shift away from the exact center. This can place water closer to an accessible pool edge, although the actual pump location should always follow the visible cover shape rather than a fixed assumption.

How Quickly Standing Water Adds Weight

Water may look shallow while spreading across a wide section of the cover. One gallon weighs approximately 8.34 lb before adding the weight of wet leaves, dirt, slush, or ice.

Water Volume	Approximate Weight	Common Appearance
10 gal	83 lb	Small localized puddle
25 gal	209 lb	Wide shallow collection
50 gal	417 lb	Repeated rain or thaw
75 gal	626 lb	Deep cover basin
100 gal	834 lb	Large unattended buildup

Consider the Collection Area

Fifty gallons spread over a broad area affects the cover differently from the same amount trapped in one narrow depression. A concentrated basin can create steeper folds and make pump placement more difficult.

Include Wet Debris Weight

Leaves and plant material absorb water and add weight beyond the liquid shown in the table. A layer of saturated debris can also block drainage and hold moisture against the cover.

Remove Water Regularly

A pillow changes cover shape but does not remove accumulated water. Use equipment approved for the installed cover before the collection area becomes difficult to reach or freezes in place.

Choose a Low-Pressure Pump for the Pillow

The pool pillow needs controlled airflow rather than high pressure. Use a compatible electric, hand, or foot pump with the correct valve adapter. Stop at about 70% inflation so the chamber remains rounded and slightly flexible.

Electric Air Pump

A compatible low-pressure electric pump makes inflation faster. Pause during inflation to check the overall shape, and stop before the PVC becomes tight or rigid.

Hand or Foot Pump

A manual hand or foot pump provides slower, more controlled airflow. It is also useful when outdoor electrical power is unavailable or when a more gradual inflation rate is preferred.

Correct Valve Adapter

Use an adapter that fits the Mini Boston-style valve without stretching the opening or forcing the connection. Remove the adapter carefully and close the valve as soon as inflation is complete.

Place the Pump and Route the Hose Correctly

A cover pump removes water that collects above the winter cover. Place it at the current low point, keep it stable on the cover, and direct the discharge away from the pool base.

Find the Actual Low Point

Walk around the pool and compare the visible water depth from several directions. Do not assume the lowest area will remain where it was when the cover was first installed.

Keep the Pump Stable

Place the pump on a relatively flat collection area where the inlet can remain level. Keep it away from the raised pillow area, steep folds, sharp debris, and locations that cannot be reached from outside the pool.

Route Water Away

Lay the hose in a smooth path without tight bends or kinks. Direct the outlet away from the pool wall, bottom track, doors, walkways, soft ground, and neighboring property.

Keep the Pillow Centered Beneath the Cover

The pillow should remain near the usable center of the pool with enough open space around its inflated edges. Guide ropes can reduce drifting, but they should not pull the chamber tightly toward one wall.

Leave Wall Clearance

Keep the inflated chamber away from skimmers, returns, ladders, rails, winter plugs, exposed screws, and other hard parts. Leave enough surrounding space for slight movement beneath the cover.

Balance the Guide Ropes

Use opposing reinforced grommets and moderate rope tension. The ropes should guide the pillow without holding it rigid or pulling one corner closer to the pool wall than the opposite side.

Recheck After Weather

Strong wind, heavy rain, snow, or thawing may change the location of the raised area. Inspect the cover profile and rope balance when the high point appears closer to one side.

Confirm the Complete Cover System

Review the pillow, cover, drainage equipment, power connection, and surrounding conditions before severe winter weather arrives. Complete every check from outside the pool and never step onto the winter cover.

Check the Pillow

Inflate the chamber to about 70%
Confirm the valve is fully closed
Keep the pillow near the usable center
Leave clearance around hard fittings
Balance the opposing guide ropes

The pillow should create a broad, flexible rise rather than one narrow or rigid peak.

Check the Cover and Drainage

Compare cover overlap around the pool
Identify the current surface low point
Keep the cover pump away from steep folds
Remove debris around the pump inlet
Route discharge away from the pool base

The cover pump and hose should remain reachable from outside the pool throughout the winter.

Check Power and Weather

Use approved outdoor electrical protection
Keep connections away from standing water
Inspect cords and hoses for visible damage
Avoid handling equipment in unsafe weather
Recheck after rain, wind, snow, or thawing

Electrical safety and surface maintenance remain necessary whenever pumping equipment is used outdoors.

Remove Leaves Before They Break Down

Dry leaves are easier to handle than saturated leaves resting in standing water. Early removal helps keep pump inlets open and reduces the amount of softened organic material left for spring.

Clear Dry Leaves First

Use a cover-safe leaf net or soft tool from outside the pool before rainfall when possible. Removing dry material prevents it from absorbing water and settling into the deepest section.

Lift Wet Leaves Carefully

Wet leaves may cling to the cover and break apart when dragged. Work in smaller amounts and avoid pulling sharp stems, branches, or frozen clumps across the cover surface.

Avoid Long-Term Soaking

Leaves left in water may release color, produce odor, and create fine sediment. Regular removal reduces staining and keeps the pump area easier to inspect throughout the season.

Control Needles, Dirt, and Fine Material

Small debris may cause more pump problems than large leaves because it can enter inlet openings, settle into folds, and remain hidden beneath shallow water.

Pine Needles and Seeds

Needles, seeds, and small plant fragments can gather around pump screens and drainage openings. Check these areas after strong wind even when the cover does not appear heavily covered.

Soil and Dust

Windblown soil, pollen, and dust settle below larger debris. These materials may create a dark film on the cover and become slippery when mixed with standing water.

Small Twigs

Short twigs can lodge under pump edges or press against folded cover material. Remove accessible pieces carefully before water weight holds them more firmly in place.

Expect Debris to Move After Strong Wind

Wind changes both the cover and the material resting on it. Dry leaves may shift to one side, the cover edge may loosen, and the pillow’s raised area may move beneath the surface.

Check the New Low Area

A water pocket may form in a different place after wind changes the cover tension. Compare the full surface before returning the pump to its previous position.

Inspect Cover Fastening

Look for loose clips, shifted cables, changed overlap, or flapping edges. Fastening problems can create new folds that collect water and trap debris.

Review Debris Distribution

Leaves and dirt often gather on the sheltered side of the pool. Remove accessible buildup before the next rainfall turns the dry pile into a heavy, saturated mass.

Follow a Clear Routine After Heavy Rain

A consistent inspection order reduces unnecessary repositioning and helps identify whether the main problem is water volume, blocked equipment, cover movement, or new debris.

Inspect Before Pumping

Walk around the pool and compare water depth, cover folds, pump position, and visible debris. Confirm that no hard object, ice edge, or loose fastener is pressing into the cover.

Clear the Pump Area

Remove accessible leaves, needles, and small twigs around the inlet. Do not pull the pump across a debris-covered surface when the movement could drag sharp material over the cover.

Monitor the Discharge

Check that water flows continuously and exits away from the pool. Stop and inspect the system if the pump runs without reducing the collection area or if the hose begins leaking.

Prepare for Water During a Thaw

Snow may turn into a large amount of water within a few hours. A warm afternoon, winter rain, or direct sunlight can create a deeper cover basin before nighttime temperatures fall again.

Inspect Early in the Thaw

Check the cover while melting begins rather than waiting until all snow has changed to water. Early observation makes it easier to identify blocked drains, moving low points, and rising water depth.

Keep the Pump Inlet Open

Slush and wet leaves can block the pump screen. Inspect the inlet during long pumping cycles and remove accessible material without stepping onto the covered pool.

Finish Before Refreezing

Remove as much approved surface water as conditions allow before temperatures fall. Water left around pumps, hoses, folds, and debris may freeze into a more difficult maintenance problem overnight.

Reduce Long-Term Staining and Odor

Standing water does not always damage a cover immediately, but organic debris left for months may discolor the surface and create unpleasant material during spring opening.

Remove Organic Material

Leaves, seeds, pollen, and bark release color as they soak. Removing these materials before they break down limits the amount of residue remaining on the cover.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Do not pour household cleaners, bleach, solvents, or concentrated chemicals onto the installed winter cover unless specifically approved by its manufacturer. Chemical exposure may affect coatings, printed areas, or flexible material.

Clean During Spring Opening

After removal, wash the cover using the recommended method and allow it to dry completely. Storing a damp cover can trap odor, promote mildew, and make folded sections stick together.

Use Tools That Will Not Damage the Cover

Winter maintenance should be completed from outside the pool using equipment suitable for the installed cover. Sharp edges, heavy impacts, and body weight may damage the cover or pillow beneath it.

Choose Soft-Edged Tools

Use cover-safe leaf nets, soft brushes, approved pumps, or other tools recommended by the cover manufacturer. Inspect handles, frames, and fasteners for rough or broken edges.

Avoid Metal Ice Tools

Shovels, picks, rakes, and sharp scrapers can puncture the cover or strike the pillow below. Do not attempt to break thick ice by force when the cover instructions do not permit it.

Stay Off the Cover

A standard flexible winter cover and pool pillow do not form a walking surface. Keep adults, children, and animals away from the covered water area throughout the closed season.

Check the Cover at Useful Times

Cover care works better when inspections follow weather and buildup rather than one fixed monthly date. Conditions may change quickly after rain, wind, snowfall, or a warm spell.

Check During Early Winter

Review the setup before severe weather begins.

Inspect approximately 24 hours after closing
Confirm the pump can reach the low area
Remove the first layer of dry leaves
Check the cover overlap and fasteners
Confirm discharge moves away from the pool

Early corrections prevent small issues from remaining through the full winter.

Check After Weather Events

Inspect whenever surface conditions change.

Review after heavy rain
Check after strong wind
Inspect after wet snow
Recheck during rapid thawing
Clear pump screens and drainage routes

Weather-based checks are more useful than waiting for a scheduled date.

Check Before Spring Opening

Prepare the cover before removal.

Pump away standing water
Remove loose and wet debris
Wait for remaining ice to melt safely
Keep dirty water out of the pool
Prepare a clean drying area

Reducing surface weight makes the cover easier to handle during opening.

Match Cover Changes to Likely Causes

A visible problem may come from water weight, debris, pump placement, hose blockage, cover movement, or pillow position. Check the surface before making large adjustments.

What You Notice	Possible Cause	First Check
Pump runs but water remains	Blocked inlet or kinked hose	Inspect screen and hose
Water moves to another area	Cover profile has changed	Reposition the pump
Leaves remain under water	Buildup was removed too late	Work in smaller sections
One side holds more debris	Wind changed distribution	Inspect the sheltered side
Pump slides into a fold	Inlet is on a steep surface	Find a flatter low area
Water returns near the wall	Discharge route is too close	Extend or redirect the hose
Dark film remains after pumping	Fine dirt or organic residue	Plan cover-safe cleaning
Pillow rise becomes hidden	Water or debris load increased	Remove approved surface load

Start with the Surface Load

Water, slush, and wet debris may change the cover profile without any problem in the pillow. Remove manageable surface buildup before assuming air has been lost.

Check the Complete Drainage Path

A clean pump inlet is not enough when the hose is kinked, frozen, raised too high, or blocked at the outlet. Review the entire route from pump to discharge point.

Make One Change at a Time

Move the pump, clear the inlet, or adjust the hose separately. Changing several items together makes it harder to identify which condition caused the maintenance problem.

Pool Air Pillow FAQs

Does a Pool Pillow Keep the Cover Completely Dry?

No. It raises part of the middle and may reduce one deep basin, but smaller puddles can still form based on cover slack, water level, wind, and weather.

Does the Pillow Remove Standing Water?

No. A cover pump, approved drain, or siphon is still required when the winter-cover instructions call for surface-water removal.

Where Should the Cover Pump Be Placed?

Place it at the actual low point where water is collecting. Recheck the position after rain, wind, snowmelt, or visible cover movement.

How Much Does 50 Gallons of Water Weigh?

Fifty gallons weigh approximately 417 lb, before adding the weight of leaves, dirt, slush, or ice inside the same collection area.

Should Leaves Be Removed Before Rain?

Yes, when conditions are safe. Dry leaves are lighter and easier to remove than saturated material submerged in standing water.

Can I Leave an Automatic Pump on the Cover?

Follow the pump and cover instructions. The inlet, hose, outlet, power connection, and surrounding debris still require regular inspection.

How Full Should the Pillow Be?

Inflate it to about 70%. The chamber should maintain a rounded shape while remaining slightly flexible under hand pressure.

What Type of Pump Should Be Used to Inflate the Pillow?

Use a compatible low-pressure electric, hand, or foot pump with the correct valve adapter. Stop at about 70% inflation and do not make the chamber rigid.

Can I Use a Metal Shovel to Remove Ice?

Sharp metal tools may puncture the cover or damage the pillow below. Follow the cover manufacturer’s instructions for snow and ice care.

Why Does Water Collect in a New Area?

Wind, changing cover tension, pillow movement, and added weight can shift the lowest point. Move the pump according to the current surface shape.

How Can I Reduce Spring Cleanup?

Remove standing water and debris during winter, keep drainage open, and clear the cover before removal so dirty water does not spill into the pool.

Is a Cover Pump Included?

No. The package includes the pool pillow, securing rope, and instructions. Cover pumping equipment must be purchased or prepared separately.

What Is the Stated Temperature Range?

The 0.5 mm PVC has a stated material range of −25°C to 80°C. Cover care and safe winter inspections remain necessary within that range.

Make Winter Cover Care More Manageable

A winter cover is easier to maintain when water and debris remain visible, reachable, and regularly removed. The pillow provides central lift, while the pump, hose, fastening system, and inspection routine handle the ongoing work.

Before and during winter:

Inflate the pillow to about 70%
Install it beneath a suitable flexible cover
Identify the actual surface low point
Use a cover pump approved for the installed winter cover
Keep leaves away from the pump inlet
Route discharged water away from the pool base
Check hoses for kinks or freezing
Remove dry leaves before rainfall when possible
Inspect after heavy rain, wind, snow, and thawing
Use only soft-edged cover-care tools
Stay off the covered pool
Pump and clean the surface before spring removal

EPN pool air pillows use 0.5 mm cold-resistant PVC and come in six square and rectangular sizes. Choose a size that creates useful central lift while leaving enough cover slack and surrounding clearance for normal winter maintenance.