Ask the Expert: What is the best pool cover to use for my in ground pool?

What is the best pool cover to use for my in ground pool?

With the many types of pool covers on the market, it is important you identify the right one for your swimming pool. There are differences between in ground and above ground pool covers, and winter covers and safety covers. Furthermore, each type of cover comes in many varieties, offering different levels of safety, ease of use and installation requirements.

It is important to read the product description and understand its installation requirements before making your pool cover selection. In some cases, you may want to consider consulting with a professional, as some pool covers require additional preparation of the surrounding area.

In years past, tarps and water bag covers were the industry standard. The primary uses for these covers were to keep debris, twigs, leaves and dirt out of the pool. Today, homeowners have become more conscious of pool safety and are seeking products that also keep their family and surrounding wildlife safe.

Safety covers are made from either woven nylon mesh or solid vinyl. They are designed to be pulled taut across your pool and secured with straps to anchors that are installed around the pools perimeter.  When installed, this cover will look like it is a huge trampoline over your pool. These covers not only keep debris from getting into your pool, they also prevent accidental submersion. These safety covers provide a more tailored look than standard winter covers.

Mesh safety covers are lighter and easier to handle than solid safety covers. Mesh covers also allow rainwater and melting snow to pass through the cover and into the pool, saving you time and the effort of removing standing water in the spring, as is the case when using a solid cover. Mesh covers are also less expensive than solid safety covers, and can last for about 10 years before the sun breaks down the fabric. These covers are also the most attractive option, and manufacturers can custom make a cover to fit every curve and cover of your pools shape.

Although mesh covers seem to be most beneficial, the disadvantages of a mesh cover are that sunlight and fine particles can still enter the pool, which means algae and dirt will be more notable in the spring. Solid safety covers prevent excessive dirt and algae, and can be more durable in the long run. Some solid covers are designed to prevent water build up over the winter, or come equipped with a cover pump to remove the water when you are ready to open your pool in the spring. Solid covers are made from PVC reinforced vinyl material and provide added UV resistance to keep algae out of your pool. Furthermore, a solid cover could last about 15 years.

Other pool cover options exist, however, do not provide the same level of pool safety or cleanliness.  Solid non-safety pool covers simply float on the surface of your pool, and are weighted down by heavy objects like lumber, or heavy planters placed around the pool. These covers cannot support the weight of even a small child, and will allow small pets, or animals to get trapped and drown.

Solar pool covers do little to “heat” your pool but do keep the heated pool water from cooling on the surface. These covers do not provide safety either, and can be a nuisance because they prohibit pool skimmers from removing leaves off the surface of the pool.

In some cases, homeowners invest in automatic pool covers.  These are safety covers that are installed using a track system on the sides of the pool. At one end of the pool there is a basin with a long tube that rolls the cover up as it opens. These covers can be used all year long, and are effective when winterizing your pool. In addition, they stop the evaporation of pool water, and help keep pool chemicals in the pool water, whereby providing a cost savings.