Above-Ground Pools

• 1). Get a friend or family member to help you and spread the winter cover across the pool. Adjust the cover around the pool to make it even all around
  
  
• 2). Spread the leaf cover on top of the winter cover. Leaf covers specifically serve to collect any fallen leaves and debris from trees during the fall season.
  
  
• 3). Thread the cable through the loops around the edge of the pool cover. Secure the cable by inserting it into the winch and pulling it tightly. Tuck in any excess material that may be hanging down to prevent wind from getting through the underside of the cover.
  
  
• 4). Place bags filled with water on top of the cover at the inside perimeter of the pool. The bags have grommets so they can be secured with the same cable used for the winter cover. Apply pool cover clips to grip to the top rail of the pool as another option to hold it into place.
  
  

Inground Pools

• 1). Ask someone to help you, then stretch the cover over the pool. Place buckets of water at the corners to hold it in place. Adjust the overlap on all sides of the pool to give it proper alignment.
  
  
• 2). Anchor the cover to the pool, depending on what type of deck you have. For instance, if you have a concrete deck, use a rotary hammer drill with a 3/4-inch masonry bit to drill two inches into the deck. Put brass casing into the hole and tamp it down using a tamper until it lies flush with the deck. Screw the brass insert into the casing, making sure to leave about 1/3 of the anchor insert above the deck. If your deck is wood, drill a 1/8-inch hole with a 1 1/2-inch self-boring bit. Drill a 3/4-inch hole directly in the center of the first hole that measures at least two inches deep. Insert the flange of the anchor into the deck and secure it with wooden screws. Screw the insert into the flange, leaving a 1/3 portion of the anchor above the deck to secure the spring. If your deck is brick or stone, use a rotary hammer drill with a 1-inch masonry bit to drill through the brick or stone. Insert the anchor into the end of the conduit, then use a block of wood and hammer to drive the anchor sleeve into the ground at an angle flush with the deck. Screw the brass insert into the casing, leaving about 1/3 of the anchor above the deck for securing the spring.
  
  
• 3). Install the springs on the straps where you installed the anchors. Tighten them until the springs are 50 percent compressed.
  
  
• 4). Review your work. Make sure all the springs are no more than half-compressed and that the cover is pulled taut around the pool.