Handy Tips For Dealing with Leaves In Your Pool

Updated October 29, 2024

As a pool owner, leaves can be a pain in the butt. Keeping them out of your pool can be a hassle, especially if you have lots of trees in your yard.

We’ve put together a few tips that can help pool owners manage leaves and make the most of their pool, especially during the fall season before closing it up for the winter.

Why Is It Important to Keep Leaves Out of the Pool?

You may think a few leaves are no big deal, but they can actually cause some serious issues, including pool equipment damage and algae growth. Removing leaves from your swimming pool can help keep your pool operating efficiently and safe to swim in.

Prevent Algae Growth

Leaves decompose in water, feeding algae and bacteria. This can quickly lead to green, cloudy water and even algae blooms that are tough to clear.

Maintain Water Balance

Decomposing leaves can alter your pool’s pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels. That means you’ll need more chemicals to stabilize the water, leading to increased costs and potential irritation for you and your loved ones using the pool.

Protect Pool Equipment

Leaves and other debris can clog the pool’s filtration and pump system and strain the motor and filter. These clogs and extra wear and tear means reduced efficiency, frequent maintenance, and costly repairs.

Reduce Staining

Some leaves contain tannins and pigments that can stain pool surfaces, especially vinyl pool liners. These stains can be stubborn to remove and may even become permanent if not addressed promptly.

How to Keep Leaves Out Of Your Pool

Dealing with leaves in the pool starts with prevention. Here are a few things you can do to prevent leaves from getting into your pool in the first place.

1. Use a pool cover

Pool covers are your first line of defense against leaves. Pool covers protect your pool from the elements and keep out leaves and other debris.

Keep your pool cover cleared off so the weight of the leaves doesn’t bog it down. A soft brush or broom with a long handle can help you get leaves off the pool cover

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2. Rake leaves in your yard frequently

Leaves are naturally going to blow around, especially as the season progresses and winds pick up. That’s where a leaf rake comes in handy! Raking the leaves and removing them from your yard will limit the number of leaves that make their way into your pool.

3. Trim tree branches and shrubs

While it’s not always feasible (or aesthetically pleasing) to remove a tree from your yard, trimming the tree may be a good alternative. Trimming back the branches that hang over or near your swimming pool can drastically reduce the number of leaves that make their way into the water and clog up the drain.

4. Create leaf blocks

With a little bit of strategy and innovation, you can prevent leaves from finding their way into your pool. Low fences, retaining walls, sheds, storage boxes can create a barrier and help block the wind (and leaves) across the pool.

If trees are shedding a lot of litter around your pool, bushes, ground covers and decorative fences, or low retaining walls, can help keep the leaves up against a barrier and away from the pool.

How to Remove Leaves From Your Pool

Even with your best efforts, leaves will still find their way into your swimming pool. To prevent damage, clogs, and other issues, here’s how to remove them safely and efficiently.

Use a leaf net skimmer

Keep your leaf net handy to skim leaves and other debris out of the pool. It’s just a fact of life of being a pool owner. It can be tedious and time-consuming, but it’s an effective way to keep your pool clear of leaves.

Invest in an Automatic Pool Cleaners

Robotic pool cleaners and automatic vacuums are programmed to crawl around the pool floor, vacuuming up debris, including leaves. This can seriously help you cut back on your pool maintenance time.

Run Your Pool Pump Regularly

Running your pool pump keeps water circulating. This movement prevents leaves from settling on the bottom of the swimming pool. Aim to run your pump for a couple of hours each day, especially during windy or leaf-heavy seasons.

What’s next?

Can you believe the pool season is already coming to a close? Check out these handy resources to help protect your swimming pool throughout the fall and winter season and close your pool properly.

Now’s also a great time to score all the pool supplies and accessories you need to close your swimming pool or stock up on the necessities for next season.

When Is the Right Time to Close My Pool?

Common Winter Pool Problems (And Solutions That Work)