Swimming Pool Covers: 8 Smart Reasons to Cover Your Pool

Swimming pool covers can save you time, energy, and money! Learn more about the benefits of pool covers so that you can jump right in this summer.

16% of Americans have a pool. They provide great exercise and healthy socialization.

As with any home luxury, a pool requires special attention and upkeep.

What are swimming pool covers, and do you need one if your family owns a pool?

What type of swimming pool cover should you purchase? What are the benefits of covering your pool?

Let’s take a look.

1. Keep Out Debris

One of the main reasons folks purchase swimming pool covers is to keep out debris, such as leaves, twigs, dead insects, shredding shrubs, and pool toys.

Covering your pool will save you cleaning time, or money if you hire a pool cleaner. You will have to vacuum less often and for a shorter amount of time. A cover will also reduce the wear and tear on your pool’s cleaners and pumps.

2. Slow Down Evaporation

Evaporation is the process by which liquid gets turned into vapor. Covering your pool will reduce your pool’s evaporation and help conserve your water usage. You will not have to fill up your pool as often.

3. Conserve Chemicals

UV rays can reduce the level of chlorine in your pool. A cover can reduce your pool’s consumption of chemicals by 35 to 60%. It is one of many pool cover benefits.

4. Keeping Your Pool Warmer

If your swimming pool relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night will help you conserve the warmth. It will keep your pool warm enough to swim in during the day, and reduce the loss of heat overnight when the temperature drops.

A cover can also save you money if your pool gets heated with gas, electricity, or solar.

5. Safety

A sturdy fiberglass mesh cover can hold up to 400 pounds. It is a safe way to prevent anyone from falling into the water. This type of cover can get used with a manual or automatic track system.

Keep in mind that other types of covers do not protect people against falling in.

6. Reduce the Need for a Dehumidification System

A dehumidification system helps keep your pool’s humidity below the dewpoint. They are designed to reduce airborne particles and release clean air.

A pool cover can keep harmful particles from entering your pool overnight. It will also help to control its temperature.

7. Saving Money

A pool cover will help you lower heating bills because it conserves energy overnight. You will also save money on chemicals.

8. Easy to Use

Many of today’s pools come with track covers. With the press of a button, you can put your pool cover on or draw it back. This saves you the hassle and elbow grease of removing it yourself.

Types of Pool Covers

The type of pool cover you purchase will depend upon your budget and needs.

Basic, tarp-like covers are the least expensive. They can get anchored to your pool’s edges so they won’t blow away.

Tarp covers come in large sheets or rolls that can get cut to fit most pools, even those in special shapes.

Manual pool covers are hand-cranked pool covers that roll on two pieces of track, one on either side of the pool. They may come with a turn handle or anchor wheel.

Manual pool covers require less physical labor than tarps. They are not designed for pools larger than eighteen feet by thirty-six feet, because they would be too large to roll up.

Automatic pool covers have the same sturdy fabric that manual pool covers do. They can save you money on water and energy, as well as chemicals.

Automatic pool covers have a track that can get blended nicely into your backyard decor. The drive mechanisms and motors can be mounted onto the pool decking or recessed into a module at one end of the pool.

Automatic pool covers are powered by electric motors that are either electric or hydraulic. A switch to open and close your pool cover can get placed on an electronic keypad or a key-activated switch with a removable key.

Ease makes automatic pool covers very popular. Several independent and government-sponsored agencies recommend them.

Make It Your Own

Some pool covers can be upgraded with stainless-steel cables that never stretch or shrink, reducing the amount of maintenance required.

Most pool covers are made of polyethylene, which has a combination of strength and light weight. They are flexible, easy to install, and resistant to mold and other corrosive materials.

Polypropylene is also sometimes used, although it is less durable.

Vinyl pool covers are strong and durable. They are resistant to moisture and humidity. Vinyl is inexpensive and has a long life span.

These materials are cut into thick ribbons and woven into a sturdy fabric. A laminate increases weight and thickness.

Chemical layers and protective films improve durability and increase lifespan. These may include UV stabilizers and fungal inhibitors.

Pool covers come in a variety of colors to match your outdoor decor. Deep blue keeps your pool looking like the aqua oasis it is. Green blends in with the shrubs and trees in your landscape.

Other popular colors include tan, taupe, and black.

Swimming Pool Covers

Swimming pool covers can do more than just protect your pool against falling debris. They can help you conserve chemicals, save on heat, and protect the safety of those you care about most. Choosing the right materials and closing options will help keep your pool clean and comfortable for years to come.

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