Do I Really Need a Pool Cover?
New pool owners are often unaware about how important pool covers can be. When you’re investing in a new pool, you want to ensure that you can enjoy swimming in your pool for as many years as possible.
Without a pool cover, you’ll begin to incur additional costs and have to spend more time and energy in maintaining your pool. From additional expenses related to hearing and energy bills, to needing to purchase chemicals more frequently, a pool without a cover can also be a safety risk for your family.
Should You Invest in a Pool Cover?
When you’re purchasing your new swimming pool, you also need to consider investing in a pool cover at the same time. However, many new pool owners are surprised by how expensive a pool cover can be.
Pool covers start from around a hundred dollars, and can go all the way up to thousands of dollars if you want to purchase an automatic pool cover. The swimming pool industry today is highly focused on producing equipment and accessories that promote climate control and protect the environment. Pool covers are some of the swimming pool accessories that can help you help the environment.
There are various kinds of pool covers available in the market – from a simple tarp to mesh covers, solid vinyl covers as well as automatic pool covers. Different pool covers have different roles and functions. The one you pick will depend on your budget as well as your requirements.
The primary function of a pool cover is to prevent dirt, backyard debris such as twigs, leaves and insects, and other contaminants from entering the pool. This keeps the water in your swimming pool cleaner for longer periods of time and reduces costs related to refilling the pool, adding chemicals to maintain the purity of the water etc.
If you don’t think about a pool cover as you’re getting your pool installed, you’ll face one major hurdle later on. That is, you may not be able to find a pool cover that matches the dimensions of your pool exactly.
In compliance with the law, your pool cover should have a safety barrier around the pool area. If you select your pool cover earlier and know the right dimensions for your swimming pool, you’ll have a wider range of pool cover options to choose from. You should consider choosing a pool cover as you’re deciding on the dimensions of your pool. This ensures that you find the best pool cover for your pool right from the start.
Some new pool owners also like to wait for around twelve months to see how they use their pool before they invest in a pool cover. This approach lets you know exactly what kind of problems your pool is likely to face. Do you find that your pool is losing water too quickly? Are your heating costs higher than you expected? Do you have to watch out for people (particularly children) falling into the pool? Since different pool covers offer different benefits, this helps you pick a pool covet that perfectly matches your needs.
Fibreglass pools come as a read to install product, and you’ll have the exact dimensions of your pool right off the bat. This helps you find the ideal pool cover as your pool is being installed.
What Kind of Pool Covers are Available?
Pool covers come in a variety of sizes, are made of different material, and are manufactured to suit different purposes. Some pool covers, like tarps or solar covers only protect contaminants from entering the pool. These covers can’t stop people from falling into the pool. A sturdier mesh cover on the other hand, can prevent people from falling in, especially when made of good material like fibreglass. A good fibreglass mesh pool cover can support up to 400 pounds per square feet, and acts as a great protective barrier that prevents people from falling in. A mesh cover won’t stop water, such as rainwater, from reaching your pool water.
There are generally four kinds of pool cover options that you can choose from:
- Tarp Covers: These are perfect if you’re on a budget and need a pool cover that prevents foreign contaminants from entering your pool. A tarp cover can cost you anything between $75 to $225, depending on the material. Your pump should be on top for this pool cover to be effective. A tarp typically lasts up to three seasons and will need to be replaced after that. A tarp can’t prevent people or animals from falling into the pool.
- Mesh Cover: These covers provide greater security and prevents everything except water or fluids from entering the pool. You don’t need a pump on top for this kind of a pool cover. A mesh cover can set you back anywhere between $1200 to $3000. They’re also a great long term investment and won’t need to be replaced for at least a decade.
- Solid Covers: These covers prevent both solid and fluid contaminants from entering the pool. Their cost ranges from $1200 to $3000, and they last for up to a decade. Your pool does need to have a pump if you want a solid pool cover. They offer greater security and are great for households that have children or pets.
- Automatic Cover: These offer the best protection out of all the pool covers in the market, and can be controlled with the touch of a button. This means that you won’t have to worry about manually installing the pool cover every time. An automatic cover costs between $5000 to $15,000. You can expect your automatic cover to work fine for three years, and after that you may need to invest in replacement parts.
What Are the Benefits of Getting a Pool Cover?
A pool cover can protect your family, your budget, and most importantly – your pool itself.
1. Reduces Evaporation
One of the biggest ways your pool is likely to lose water is through evaporation. When you leave your pool uncovered, you’re going to lose a lot of water through evaporation. This means that you’ll need to keep refilling the pool more frequently. A pool cover prevents this from happening, and also reduces your water bill at the same time.
2. Lower Heating and Energy Costs
When combined with your pool’s heating system, your pool cover can keep the water in your pool warmer for longer periods of time. Even if your pool doesn’t have a heating system, but relies on the sun’s warmth for heating, a pool cover can help you.
You can secure a solar tarp pool cover to your pool in the evening and through the night. In the morning, you’ll find that the water is still warm enough to swim in the next day.
3. Prevents Debris From Entering the Pool
Pool maintenance is an essential part of being a swimming pool owner. Foreign contaminants and backyard debris can easily make their way into your pool. Twigs, leaves, insects, dirt and other debris can enter your pool even after a light storm.
These contaminants need to be removed before you can safely swim in your pool. A good pool cover will prevent them from entering your pool in the first place, and reduce the time you need to spend with a vacuum or a telescoping pole, cleaning your pool.
4. Spend Less on Chemicals
You’ll need to spend on pool chemicals to maintain water purity, a good pH balance etc. This is necessary to create a safe and hygienic environment to swim in.
Foreign contaminants affect water purity and require more chemicals. Extra chemicals can negatively affect your skin, hair, cause s burning sensation in the eyes, as well as other adverse reactions, such as allergies. A pool cover maintains water purity, meaning you both need to spend less on chemicals and don’t have to worry about any harmful side effects from too much exposure to chemicals.
5. Keeps Your Family Safe
A pool cover also protects your family from accidentally falling into the pool, reducing the chances of drowning. Children and pets are more susceptible to this, so homes with children should absolutely consider getting a sturdy pool cover.
Your swimming pool absolutely needs a pool cover, but the kind of cover you choose will depend on your needs and your budget.
View Blogs Just Like This One!
Transform Your Backyard With Our Top Small Space Swimming Pool Designs
Transform Your Backyard With Our Top Small Space Swimming Pool Designs In today’s world, where urban living often means limited outdoor space, homeowners are increasingly
Ensure Your Pool Stays Perfect All Year Round
Adapting your pool maintenance to seasonal variations extends the life of your pool. This guide will walk you through the essentials.
Ensuring Clear Visibility In And Around The Pool
Ensuring clear visibility in and around the pool is crucial for both safety and the overall aesthetic. Here’s what you need to know.
