In my last article, I addressed how long pool pumps last and how you can improve their lifespan. Here, I want to specifically address the question of whether or not your pool pump needs to be covered. That was one of the suggestions I made in the lifespan article, but it’s not the easiest thing to accomplish.
Either you have to buy some kind of outdoor structure or build one yourself, neither of which are cheap or easy.
Thus, it begs the question:
Do pool pumps need to be covered?
We’ll start with a simple answer and then expand on your options.
Do pool pumps need to be covered? The Simple Answer
Technically, pool pumps do not need to be covered. They’re made to handle rain, moisture, wind, and even some level of blunt force trauma, should that unusual event occur (perhaps an errant baseball?). They’re actually quite heavy and strong devices, able to withstand a lot of abuse while continuing to function.
If you do not want to go through the trouble of covering one, or you don’t want to absorb the expense, it’s fine to leave your pool pump exposed to the elements.
Reasons you might want to cover your pool pump
However, there are a still a few reasons why you might want to cover your pool pump. Let’s look at the most common reasons.
For Aesthetics
The main reason most people cover their pool pump (along with the piping and filters as well) is because it simply looks nicer. This is a reason that I can certainly identify with, as our pool pump and filter stick out like a sore thumb and can take away from the otherwise pristine look of the pool.
But for some people, this isn’t an issue. It might also be the case that your pool pump is in a place where it’s already concealed or mostly out of sight.
When we moved to our house, the pool pump had been moved away from the pool into an almost wooded area, which helped conceal it (we ended up having to move it back closer to the pool).
But either way, this is a valid reason and benefit to covering your pool pump.
It just looks nicer.
For protecting the pump
While it’s true that the pool pump is made to take some abuse, there’s still something to be said for protecting it from the elements. Not only can this be beneficial to the pump, but the filter and piping can also benefit from being covered as well.
As I mentioned in the pool pump lifespan article, covering your pool pump can help extend its life and make it last longer.
Again, it’s expensive, and your pump doesn’t necessarily need to be covered.
Yet keeping it out of the rain and protecting it from external damage certainly can’t do anything but help the cause.
Options for covering your pool pump
Here are a few quick setup outdoor structures that I would recommend for covering your pool pump, if and when you decide to do so:
- KETER Manor Outdoor Storage Shed
- U-MAX Outdoor Metal Storage Shed
- HOMSPARK Horizontal Storage Shed
- Rubbermaid Outdoor Storage Shed (7×7)
Reasons you might not want to cover your pool pump
What are some of the arguments for not covering your pool pump? I’ll cover a couple of the most common reasons here, some of which we’ve already touched on.
It’s already an old pump that will soon need replaced
Some people stumble into pool ownership, like my wife and I, with an old pump that’s soon to need replaced anyway.
In that situation, it makes sense not to worry about covering it until you get the nicer pump
It’s already out of the way and hard to see
If your pool pump is in a place that’s out of the way and not directly visible, motivation for covering it would understandably go down.
The additional cost of an outdoor structure
Outdoor sheds aren’t cheap and neither are pool pumps. If you’ve already fit the bill for a pool pump, spending more on an outdoor structure isn’t exactly fun. It’s understandable if you want that money to go elsewhere.
Summary and Questions
To summarize, pool pumps do not technically need covered, but there are arguments to be made both ways. It depends a lot on the location of your pump and how you feel about it being exposed.
If the aesthetics bother you, go ahead and cover it. Not only will it solve the aesthetic problem, but it could potentially extend the lifespan of your pump and protect the unit.
If you have questions about your pool pump, covering it, or something else pool-related, feel free to drop me a line in the comments section below and I’ll jump in and help out as best I can.
We’ll talk then.