A pool cover is not necessary but it is silly not to invest in one. It helps to keep the pool safe for children and animals. In the guide below, we will outline the benefits of having a pool cover and what you should consider when purchasing it.

Benefits of Pool Cover

Here’s how pool cover helps pool owners:

Prevent contamination and debris

When your pool is not in use, debris like leaves, twigs, and bugs can get into the water. It results in spending the afternoon skimming through the pool. Debris could also bring in algae spores and harmful bacteria.

If you cover the water, it helps prevent contamination from entering the water. It also helps save time on maintaining and cleaning the pool.

Reduces evaporation

Pools tend to lose water in many ways. However, evaporation is the top source of water loss. Keeping your pool covered reduces evaporation. According to the EPA, an uncovered pool may lose anywhere between 12,000 to 31,000 gallons of water yearly.

Evaporation costs money and time. So each time your pool loses water, you may need to refill it and balance its chemistry. So you’ll need to spend more on chemicals and your water bill may skyrocket. However, you could avoid the inconvenience if you get a pool cover.

Saves energy

Heating your pool water is a costly undertaking. It means you won’t be able to use the pool heater as frequently. However, with a pool cover, you can save money and energy. Also, few pool covers are designed for heat collection and transfer to the water. It heats it naturally.

Reduces chemical use

UV rays tend to degrade chlorine. However, a pool cover prevents sunlight from eating your chlorine. It means you’ll have to spend less and use less chlorine while maintaining the pool’s chemistry.

Accident Prevention

A few pool covers serve as safety barriers that stop children and animals from falling. These covers are designed with sturdy materials that have specific weight limits.

In addition, depending on where you live, a safety pool cover may be needed. For example, some states require renters or homeowners with a pool to have a useful covering that helps make ensure children’s safety.

Types of Pool Covers

There are quite a few advantages to getting a pool cover. However, before you search for the right pool cover, you should know the difference between the types. Each serves a purpose that can address a specific need.

Automatic covers

Automatic covers can roll on or off the pool. The process is convenient, however the installation could be quite expensive. Therefore, you can install automatic covers only on in ground pools.

Safety covers

Safety cover help prevent accidents. They are crafted from a mesh or a solid material with an anchor around that helps keep them sturdy.

The type of safety cover you choose depends on your preference. A lightweight mesh cover helps support thousand pounds. However, the material allows the snow and rain to fall into your pool and could throw off the water chemistry.

A solid safety cover is heavy and has an impermeable surface that does not allows rainwater to enter your pool.

Solar covers

Solar covers are a great way to keep your pool heated and covered simultaneously. They are made with polypropylene, polyethylene, or vinyl that absorbs heat from the sun and directs it to your water. The covers vary in size, thickness, and color and are designed to fit both inground and above-ground pools.

Tips to Choose the Right Pool Cover

If you are purchasing a pool cover, here are things you should consider.

Pool size

If you want to close the pool, the cover must be the correct size. For an inground pool, the cover needs to extend at least 3 inches past the edge of the pool. So, before purchasing the cover, break out your tape measure and record the pool dimensions.

If you have an above-ground pool, you should consider the pool’s circumference. Look at the owner’s manual to get the measurement of your pool.

Pool shape

If you have a pool with a symmetrical shape you will not have a problem finding the cover. However, you will need to get a custom pool cover for the pool’s unique design.

A custom cover will be costly and installation will not be cheap either. However, the benefits of having a pool cover outweigh the cost.

Purpose of pool cover

It would help if you thought about the primary function of the pool cover. If you need something to prevent children and animals from wandering into the pool, a mesh cover will suit you well. A pool cover also lets you keep rainwater and debris out of it.

For convenience and multifunctionality, consider getting an automatic pool cover.

Area climate

If you live in an area with heavy snowfall and harsh winters, getting a mesh pool cover is probably not good. Also, if your region gets less sun, it is best to invest in a pool cover that traps the heat from the sun. It also prevents chlorine degradation.

Conclusion

As a pool owner you would know how tedious it could be to achieve clean and clear water. However, the arduous work won’t be wasted if you install the right pool cover.

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