Pool Covers Keep Your Pool Clean and Clear

Photo courtesy of Cover-Pools, Inc.

Do I really need a pool cover?

Pool covers are a great option to reduce maintenance time and costs and keep the water at a comfortable temperature. A pool covered with an opaque surface will absorb solar heat and lower heating costs by as a much as 70 percent, according to information from the U.S. Department of Energy. By some estimates, a cover can boost the water temperature by six to 10 degrees without running a heater.

Reduced evaporation with a cover decreases the amount of water you will need to add to the pool by 30 to 50 percent. By blocking UV rays and preventing evaporation, a cover also reduces consumption of chlorine and other chemicals. In addition, you will spend less time cleaning the pool because less dirt and debris will enter the water. Some covers also serve as a safety device, providing another barrier of entry to the water.

How do I know if a cover is a safety cover?

Pool covers meeting the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International F1346-91 performance standards are considered safety covers. The standards require manufacturer testing to demonstrate that the cover is able to hold at least 485 pounds within any 3-foot diameter, have no spaces large enough for a child to slip through, and provide adequate draining to avoid a drowning hazard.

Tie-down mesh or solid safety covers are securely anchored to the deck by hand and lay flat with no gaps between the pool and cover. Solid vinyl covers require a pump to prevent standing water from accumulating on the cover, although some solid covers have a mesh overlay through which rain and snowmelt can drain. Most automatic covers with manual latches and straps or keyed access meet the standards, but check the label to confirm that it meets the ASTM standard. Solar blankets, which resemble giant sheets of bubble wrap, do not meet the requirements of a safety cover and are used regularly to maintain the water temperature; these covers are not used as a safety barrier. Keep in mind, however, that even approved safety covers should be used with other layers of protection and are not a substitute for adult supervision.

How often should I cover my pool?

To keep it clean and regulate the water temperature, it’s a good idea to cover your pool whenever it’s not in use. However, if you’re using a manual or seasonal cover, you’ll probably cover the pool less often. In warm regions, homeowners frequently install and reap the benefits of automatic covers that can be used on a regular basis year-round.

Track-style covers, made of heavy-gauge vinyl that slides open and closed on tracks installed on the surrounding deck or under the coping, are the choice of most homeowners who plan to use their pool cover frequently. Automatic options move at the push of a button or turn of a key. This makes it easy to cover the pool every night if owners want to keep it open for swimming during the day.