Choosing the Best Safety Cover for Your Pool

When you purchase a home with a swimming pool or decide to add one to enhance your backyard and entertainment space, your first priority should be safety. Pools are SO much fun, but can also be dangerous for non-swimmers including adults, children and animals. Consider a safety cover to ease your worries in the off-season and greatly reduce the risk of an accident.

When it comes to pool covers, there are two options: solid or mesh. Let’s review both options in more detail to help you decide which makes the most sense for you and your family.

Solid Safety Covers

Pros

• Solid pool covers do not let sunlight, water or debris through. This prevents algae from growing in your pool. Without algae and dirty water getting into your pool, spring opening will require less maintenance and be less of a headache.
• These are usually made from a vinyl, tarpaulin-like material, making them easy to cut to the custom shape of your specific swimming pool.
• This type of cover is attached to your pool deck via anchors and springs, allowing it to support the weight of water, snow or debris that may collect on the cover.
• When you are not using this cover, it can easily be folded up and stored.

Cons

• Since solid pool covers do not drain, you will need a pump or drain to remove water and debris from the cover if too much accumulates. You will want to prevent a large puddle from accumulating on your solid cover as to not create another drowning hazard.
• Though the cover can be folded when not in use, it is heavier than a mesh cover which can make it a little more difficult to maneuver.

Mesh Covers

Pros

• Mesh pool covers are very strong and if installed and maintained properly, can hold a lot of weight. This keeps people and animals out and away from danger.
• Mesh covers are generally reasonably priced, making them the most affordable to pool owners.
• Mesh covers can last around 15 years if properly maintained, so they are not only an investment in safety, but the best option for your wallet.
• Mesh covers can be custom made to fit your specific pool shape.
• These covers can be folded and easily stored in the off-season, much like the solid safety covers. However, they tend to be lighter weight, making them easier to deal with.
• Rain will filter through the mesh, so you will not have to pump excess water off of the top of it.
• This type of cover is attached to your pool deck via anchors and springs as well, allowing it to support the weight of snow or debris that may collect on the cover. It will keep out large debris such as fallen tree limbs.

Cons

• While the sunlight penetrating this cover can be an advantage if you’re still using the pool and want it warmed, it can be a disadvantage when it comes to algae growth. Sunlight will get through the tight mesh weave allowing for algae growth on your pool’s walls. This will leave you with more work to clean your water when you uncover in the spring.
• Dirty water mixed with smaller debris will be able to seep into your pool requiring more effort to clean it when pool season rolls back around.
• Since rain water and melted snow will make its way into your pool, you may need to drain some water should the water level get too high.

When deciding which cover is right for your pool, be sure to weigh the pros and cons for your specific pool and budget to determine which option is best. Regardless of which type of cover you choose, installing a safety cover is a smart decision for all pool owners.

We are now installing winter pool covers! Contact us to learn more and to get on our installation schedule.

*Note: Safety covers now come in a variety of colors to suit your personal style!