We all love spending the summer months with friends, good food on the grill, great music playing, and everyone taking a dip in the pool. Unfortunately, the autumn and winter months mark the end of pool time for everyone except those with heated or indoor pools. Most pool owners cover their pools with a pool cover during the colder portions of the year, as doing so will help keep the pool clean when not in use. At Patriot Pools, we’ve been helping people close their pools for years, and we wanted to talk about the pros and cons of different pool covers.
A Pool Cover is Almost Essential
Unless your pool is indoors, or you use it year-round with a heater, you really should invest in a pool cover. Leaving your pool open over the autumn and winter months will lead to large quantities of dirt, grime, and debris getting into your pool. Getting the pool clean again can take a lot of time, patience, and chemicals. It is a far better idea to simply use a pool cover and save yourself the headache in the spring!
Floating Bubble or Tarp Covers
These are the most basic kinds of pool covers that most people use. Generally, these kinds of pool covers are some of the cheapest, and they will prevent debris such as pebbles, twigs, and leaves from getting into your pool. These kinds of covers just float on top of the water and are the easiest to set up.
Floating bubble or tarp pool covers may be your cheapest option, but they also tend to deteriorate quite rapidly. After only a few seasons, you may find yourself looking for a replacement. Since these covers just float on top of the water, you will lose water and chemicals due to evaporation. Additionally, these covers are unsafe for animals or children to be around, as anyone who falls onto the cover will sink into the pool.
Safety Covers
Many homeowners opt to use a safety cover for the pool, and for good reason. These tarps are anchored to the side of the pool and are capable of supporting weight, which means if someone falls onto the cover, they shouldn’t immediately sink down. Safety covers, like floating bubble or tarp covers, will keep most debris out, unless they are mesh covers.
Some safety covers are made of mesh and allow for rainwater to pass through. This means you’re going to have some dirty water in your pool when you open it up next spring. Some solid top safety covers can allow rainwater to collect, which can become stagnant and attract insects. In this case, it would be a good idea to utilize a cover pump to remove this stagnant water.
Consult With a Professional Pool Company You Can Trust
Have some more questions about the pros and cons of different pool covers? Have some questions in general about your pool? At Patriot Pools, we’ve been working on both commercial and residential pools for years. Our team of trusted pool experts is standing by, ready to assist you in any way possible. Reach out to us today to learn more about all of the different pool services we offer. We look forward to working with you!