Keep your pool safe through freezing temps and heavy storms. Our technicians install water bag and above-ground winch & cable covers the right way — so you avoid costly spring cleanups.
This page is 100% about water-bag style winter covers for in-ground pools. We size the cover correctly, calculate how many 10-ft double-tube water bags you’ll need, and install everything so the cover stays put through storms and freeze/thaw cycles.
Measure the inside waterline length and width of your rectangle (or longest span if freeform). Note steps, ladders, and raised walls.
Accurate dimensionsOrder your water-bag cover at least 2 ft larger than the pool size. Example: a 20×40 pool uses a 22×42 cover minimum.
+2 ft ruleA slightly larger cover is easier to secure and far less likely to slip into the pool during storms. We fold excess under before placing bags so it looks neat, like a custom fit.
Pro tip: size upWe always use 10-ft double-tube bags. If one tube gets a small leak, the other tube still holds—unlike single tubes where one puncture means a lost bag.
Redundancy = securityBags run around the entire cover edge with a small overlap at each end. At corners we angle/offset bags and fold cover under for a clean look.
Even edge weightFill to ~½–⅔ full. This leaves expansion room for freezing and makes spring removal easier. We position valves inward for easy topping-off.
Freeze-safe fillAfter heavy wind or thaw, walk the perimeter: re-center any shifted bags, top-off a low tube, and pump off standing water from solid covers.
Winter watchA leaf net over the main cover catches leaves. Pull it off mid-winter to remove debris without disturbing bags.
Less spring messKeep bags off sharp coping. In spring, drain, rinse, dry, and store out of sun. Replace any with seam damage or brittle vinyl.
Longer-lasting bagsWe provide time-stamped photos and a quick checklist (cover size used, number of bags, and maintenance tips) after your install.
Clear recordsThis section covers above-ground and semi-inground pools only. These covers do not use water bags. They secure with a winch & cable — think of it like a belt: a heavy-duty cable threads through the cover’s grommets and tightens one direction on a locking winch.
Order by your pool size (round diameter or oval length × width). Choose a solid winter cover with reinforced grommets and a matching winch & cable kit.
Sized by poolRun the heavy-duty cable through the grommets around the perimeter (like lacing a fishing line through eyelets). Attach to the one-way winch and tighten — it locks at that tension so it can’t back off.
One-way lockThe condition and profile of your top rail affects how well the cover lip grips the pool. Damaged, low, or slick rails reduce holding power and may allow slippage in high winds.
Secure rail edgeDecks surrounding above-ground pools hinder proper routing of the cable and cover lip. If any deck abuts the rail, there’s no guarantee the cover will stay on all winter.
Deck = riskThe air pillow’s main job is to reduce formation of a single solid sheet of ice — not to hold up the cover. Pillows often deflate or shift mid-winter, so don’t rely on them to maintain the cover.
Not a supportRemove ladders; center the cover; thread cable through grommets; attach winch; tighten evenly. Tuck excess skirt under the rail where possible for a neater look.
Even tensionAfter rain or thaw, pump off water from solid covers and remove heavy leaf loads. Less weight = less chance of stretch or slip during wind events.
Keep weight lowBefore and after storms, check winch tension and re-center the cover if needed. A quick 2-minute tighten can prevent mid-winter failures.
Storm readyWhere the pool is sunk into grade, ensure deck gaps allow the cover skirt to drop and the cable to run freely. Tight spaces can chafe or pop the cover lip.
Mind clearancesWe provide a quick report with photos (top rail condition, winch/cable route, tension check) and upkeep reminders for the rest of winter.
Clear recordsFor in-ground pools, you’ll use a water-bag cover sized 2 ft larger than your pool, secured with 10-ft double-tube bags. For above-ground and semi-inground pools, the cover secures with a winch & cable system. Text us pool photos (showing edges or top rail) and we’ll tell you exactly which system and size you need. Text “Winter Cover Help”
Our team can answer questions and get your water-bag or winch & cable cover booked quickly.
This guarantee applies to our winter cover installations across three systems: Above-ground & semi-inground winch-and-cable covers and in-ground water-bag covers. If anything about our installation isn’t right—cable routing/tension, cover centering, skirt seating on the rail, water-bag layout/overlap, or general alignment—contact the office and we’ll return to inspect and correct service-related issues.
Every service starts with a no-pressure quote and a 30-day price lock. We keep you informed by text & email at every milestone, right up to the 24–48 hr check-in after the job.
Tell us what you need—weekly, opening, closing, power vac, liner, Loop-Loc, leak, or repair. We quote clearly so you can review details without sales pressure.
When you approve the quote, our office is notified automatically. You’ll instantly receive a confirmation email + text acknowledging your approval.
A coordinator contacts you promptly to pick the best date/time. We confirm access notes (gate, pets, cover, water level) so service is smooth.
Once your appointment is set, you receive both a confirmation email and a confirmation text with your date/time.
Exactly 2 days before, we send an email and a text reminder so you can plan around your service window.
On the morning of service, you’ll get another email and text reaffirming that you’re on today’s route.
About 30–45 minutes prior to arrival, the tech driving your GPS-tracked, fully-stocked van will call or text you directly with an ETA.
When the job is finished, you receive a real-time completion text + email (often with photos/notes). After 24–48 hours, we follow up again to make sure you’re thrilled — or we make it right.
At Empire Pools, customer satisfaction isn’t a slogan — it’s our business model. From day one, we’ve built our reputation on quality, trust, and consistency: showing up when others don’t, communicating clearly, and delivering work that holds up all season long.
Our growth across Long Island has been fueled by loyal customers who refer us, review us, and return year after year. Whether you need weekly cleanings, seasonal closings, leak detection, liner replacement, or energy-efficient equipment upgrades, our certified techs bring the right tools, the right process, and the right attitude to every backyard.
We proudly service the majority of Nassau and Suffolk County with fast response times and full-service capability. To keep routes tight (and prices fair), we focus on areas where we can deliver reliable, on-time visits all season long.
Clear, practical answers for both systems. Above-ground covers use a winch & cable (no water bags). In-ground water-bag covers use 10-ft double-tube bags around the perimeter.
In-ground water-bag covers and above-ground/semi-inground winch & cable covers—installed right the first time. We size the cover correctly, secure edges (bags or cable), and share photo updates so your pool stays protected all winter.
