Pool covers! What’s so great about them? Do you really need one or is it just another accessory that is not overly important? While you don’t necessarily need a cover for your pool, we’ll run through all the reasons why you should want one.
Keep your pool water clear and safe to swim in
Things such as rain, dirt, and leaves can throw out your pools chemistry levels. Balancing the water is essential to keep your pool clear and clean. It is also one of the more time-consuming tasks of pool ownership. Placing a cover over your pool can drastically reduce the amount of contaminants from getting into your water which means less time has to be spent cleaning the pool and fewer chemicals are required. The cover prevents leaves from contaminating your water, they are simply blown off by the wind instead keeping your pool clean for longer.
Preserve water
Water from your pool will continuously evaporate, the rate that it evaporates depends on how much wind hits it, the temperature, and the amount of direct sunlight your pool sees in the day. In summer, most will notice their water levels dropping more rapidly than in the cooler months. Pool covers prevent excessive heat and trap moisture. A cover can decrease evaporation by 97% which reduces the need to constantly top up the pool water. Refilling your pool often can dilute the amount of chemicals in your water and you may find you have to add more chemicals to prevent it from going green.
Swim for more months of the year
Pool covers retain heat in your pool and this makes for a much more enjoyable swimming experience when the cooler months approach. Solar covers can warm the pool further. In fact, they can warm the water by up to 10 degrees which allows you to use your pool for more months of the year rather than just using it when the weather is warm enough to do so.
Makes your pool safer
Most states and territories in Australia have pool fencing laws enforced which stipulate that all spa and pool owners must have a compliant pool barrier in place. Having a properly fitted pool cover can add an extra layer of protection if someone accidentally leaves the gate open and children gain access to the pool area. Although, floating pool covers offer no added safety benefits. Hardtops and covers that have anchor points and pull the cover taught are the best choices.
Minimise pool care
Removing dirt and debris from the pool is a job that needs to be done continuously throughout the year. Placing a cover over your pool can reduce the number of contaminants falling into your pool by 70%. This is a huge time saver especially in winter when you’re probably not using the pool as much or wanting to go outside in the cold to scoop leaves out. The need to use your pool vacuum is drastically reduced which saves you time and money on energy.
Insulate and retain heat
A cover traps warmth in your pool water and prevents it from escaping. This stops your pool temperature plummeting overnight and makes the water more enjoyable to swim in throughout the day. Not only that, if you have heating you won’t have to run it for as long to get it back up to the temperature you want. Without a cover, air is continually hitting your pool and cooling it down. By covering it, you can prevent this from happening.
Which cover is best for my pool?
A quick internet search will reveal hundreds if not thousands of different pool cover brands and types so choosing the right one for your pool can be overwhelming. You will need to work out how much you are willing to spend on one and which options are suitable for your pool. Some pools that are custom designed may need to have a cover specially made for their pool. To give you a broad idea, there are 4 main types of pool covers to choose from:
Automatic Pool Covers
Automatic pool covers are the most superior yet expensive option of them all. While they may be an initial investment upfront, people that have automatic covers tend to use them more than people with other cover types as they are extremely easy to use. Rather than having to manually drag a cover across the pool, you simply press a button and it rolls out into place. Automatic covers are the best option when it comes to safety. They are a permanent solution that is integrated into the side of your pool by a professional. They can be installed either when the pool is being built or afterwards. Automatic Pool Covers are virtually hidden, so they don’t detract from the aesthetics of your pool.
Manual Pool Covers
Manual pool covers are a good option for people looking to reduce the running costs of their pool whilst not breaking the bank. They are manually rolled out over the pool water and two people are normally needed to place it across as they can be heavy to handle and can sink in areas if not positioned properly. To avoid this, its a good idea to purchase a cover roller to store it on. They are easy to use and you can buy them quite cheaply online or instore. Manual covers float on top of the water and cannot bear weight which can be dangerous if a child or pet unknowingly steps on it.
Solar Pool Covers
Solar covers have a distinctive bubble wrap looking appearance and are often referred to as bubble covers. They harness natural energy from the sun and absorb it to warm the water. Unlike a heating system, they don’t use any electricity which makes them popular with people wanting to heat their pool for less. While solar covers cannot heat a pool to the temperatures a heating system can, they are a great alternative. They are relatively inexpensive to buy and are cut to size to fit your pool. Like manual covers, they offer no safety protection.
Mesh Pool Covers
Mesh covers are made from a mesh-like material that is draped across the pool and firmly positioned into place. The tighter the knit of the mesh, the better protection your pool will have from rain, contaminants and debris. Unlike some other cover types, mesh covers don’t retain pools of water on top of them. If you decide to get one of these covers for your pool, make sure it has welded seams otherwise it will sag into your water. If you use your pool regularly, they aren’t the most practical choice as they can be time-consuming to replace into position.
Pool covers offer an array of undeniable benefits and are a must-have pool accessory if you want to spend less money and time keeping your pool clean.
If you have any questions about pool covers, get in touch with our team here at Swimming Pools Brisbane. With decades of experience fitting and installing luxurious fibreglass pools we know a thing or two about pools and are happy to help if we can.