Winter time is here, and it’s time to say goodbye to your pool for the season. You’ll need a pool cover, but which type is best for your needs? Pool covers include water bags, lock in covers, leaf nets, mesh safety covers, and solid safety covers. Which is best will depend on your pool, your specific goals, and budget.
Water Bag Covers
Water bag covers are secured with bags of water, which anchor the tarp to the ground around the pool. This is the only option for most above ground pools. It’s also the least expensive option for in ground pools.
This type of cover will prevent debris from getting into your pool, and keep algae from growing in the water. However, they do not provide any safety protection.
To install a water bag cover, you’ll fill the bags 3/4 full with water. You can choose from single or double bag designs. Double bag covers provide extra security. If a bag bursts, the cover will still be anchored properly.
Lock In Covers
Lock in covers connect in to your copings second coping channel. They provide a secure hold when it comes to preventing leaves and debris from getting into your pool, but they are not considered safety covers. This means they offer no protection if someone steps out onto the cover.
Safety Covers
If you are concerned about the security of your pool during the winter, you’ll want to choose a safety cover. These covers are installed by installing stakes into the area around the pool. The cover is anchored to these stakes.
There have been accidental drownings because someone walked out onto a pool cover and fell into the water. The advantage of safety covers is that if someone steps onto the cover, they are designed to hold the weight.
This type of cover is designed for in ground pools, and it must be custom fitted to your pool. Proper measurements must be taken before the cover is made.
Mesh Safety Cover
A mesh safety cover provides the safety you need for peace of mind. It also keeps debris from falling into your pool, while allowing water and snow to go into the water, rather than accumulating on the cover. This makes upkeep easy, particularly if you have frequent snowfall.
The downside is that this type of cover can allow algae growth, and won’t prevent small pieces of debris from getting into your pool.
Solid Safety Covers
Solid safety covers take a little more effort, and they tend to be more expensive. You can expect them to last about 7 to 10 years before needing to be replaced. This type of cover is heavy, so you’ll need a pump to remove rain or melted snow from the cover to reduce the excess weight.
This type of cover prevents any debris from getting into your pool. Because it blocks the sun’s UV rays, it also prevents any algae growth.
Automatic Pool Covers
Automatic pool covers are by far the most convenient, but they are also the most expensive. This type of cover will retract or unroll automatically when you hit the button. If you want a pool cover without the hassle of putting it on and taking it off, this is the best choice.
Winterize Your Pool with Scott Payne Custom Pools
At Scott Payne Custom Pools, we offer custom concrete pools as well as fiberglass pools in Furlong, PA. We also provide pool repairs in Washington Crossing, PA, and the surrounding area. We can help you select a pool cover and winterize your pool so you are ready for summer.
