Swimming Pool Safety Cover Talk
The Ultimate Guide to Pool Safety Covers
Jul
Having a pool in your backyard can be a great source of fun and entertainment for the whole family. But it also comes with certain risks, which is why having a pool safety cover is essential. A good quality safety cover will help keep children and pets safe from accidental drowning and protect your pool from debris and contamination when not in use.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about choosing the right safety cover for your swimming pool, including the types of covers available, installation tips, and maintenance advice. So, whether you’re looking for an easy-to-use winterizing solution or something more permanent to safeguard against accidents year-round, this guide has everything you need to make sure your swimming experience is both enjoyable and secure.
What types of pool safety covers are available?
Several types of pool safety covers can be used to protect your pool. The most common types include mesh, solid, and automated covers. Mesh covers offer the advantage of allowing water to pass through while still providing a barrier that prevents debris from entering the pool. These covers are lightweight and easy to install and are available in three weaves: 90% shade, 95% shade, and 99% shade.
Aside from letting the water pass through the cover, mesh covers allow both light and very small particulates to pass the cover. The higher the shade of the material the less sunlight and the smaller the particulates that pass through the cover and into your swimming pool Solid vinyl covers provide a greater degree of protection by allowing no particulates to enter your swimming pool and provide 100% shade, so no sunlight enters you pool. However, they come with the downside of being heavier and slightly harder to install and require either a cover pump or a mesh panel to prevent water from accumulating on the cover from precipitation.
Automatic pool covers are powered by either electricity or hydraulics, allowing them to be opened and closed at the touch of a button. These types of safety covers offer the ultimate in convenience and protection because they can operate all 12 months of the year. Automatic pool covers operate much like an automatic garage door, allowing the pool to be open during use and covered while not in use. Automatic pool covers are made from the same reinforced solid material as traditional solid safety covers. Automatic covers are considerably more expensive than the other options. Because automatic covers require a storage vault to be installed to store the cover when the pool is in use and the cover is in the open position, automatic pool covers are more typically an option on new pool installations. Automatic pool covers can be retrofitted to existing pools, but at considerable expense.
Ultimately, the type of pool safety cover you choose will depend on your budget and specific needs.
Why is shade an important consideration for my safety cover?
The shade percentage is a measure of the amount of sunlight that passes through a safety cover. Mesh safety covers are typically available in three shades percentages, 90%, 95%, and 99%, with the cost increasing slightly at each percentage because of the increased thread count in the weave of the mesh material and thickness of each strand of fiber. Solid Covers are 100% shade.
Shade is an important consideration in selecting the right safety cover for your pool based on the weather patterns and temperatures in your geographic area and how early you close your pool or how late in the season you open your pool. So, why is shade an important consideration? Algae growth requires a combination of three things: phosphates, warm water, and sunlight. You can control the number of phosphates in your pool water through good chemistry. You cannot control the water temperate of your pool when it is closed for the off-season. Depending on where you live and how early or late in the season you close and open your swimming pool, the water temperature beneath the cover will elevate to levels where algae growth can begin. So, the amount of shade or sunblock that your safety cover provides is critical to preventing or limiting algae growth, particularly for those who either close their pools early and/or open their pools late in the season, when water temperatures under the cover can be elevated.
Can I use a pool safety cover on my in-ground or above-ground swimming pools?
Pool safety covers can be used on in-ground, semi-in-ground, on-ground, and above-ground swimming pools, provided there is sufficient decking to anchor the cover. In most cases, in-ground pools have sufficient decking to anchor a safety cover. Semi-in-ground, on-ground and above-ground pools typically do not have sufficient decking to anchor a safety cover. Automatic pool covers are almost exclusively used on in-ground pools. While traditional mesh and solid covers are primarily installed on in-ground pools, they are also found on semi-in-ground, on-ground, and above-ground pools. Several on-ground pool brands, such as Kayak, Wilkes and Gibraltar, can accept a bracket to secure a safety cover to their integrated pool decks. For in-ground pools, all three types of pool safety covers can provide excellent protection against debris and other elements.
Can all shapes and sizes of pools be covered with pool safety covers?
All shapes and sizes of pools can be covered with automatic, mesh, or solid covers. Automatic safety covers, when installed on free-form or asymmetrical pools, require the pool to be constructed with a deck-in-deck system, as automatic pool covers can only be manufactured to cover rectangular shapes. So, while automatic pool covers can cover free-form and asymmetrical pool shapes the pool deck must be designed and built to accommodate an automatic safety cover during the pool’s construction.
Traditional mesh and solid safety covers can be installed on any size and shape of pool either at the time the pool is constructed or added later. For an asymmetrical pool or freeform pool mesh or solid safety cover to be ASTM compliant, the cover must have a 3’x3’ grid spacing. Symmetrically shaped pools can have a 5’x5’ grid spacing and be ASTM compliant. However, any mesh pool cover larger than 1,500 square feet and any solid cover larger than 1,200 square feet must have a 3’x3’ grid spacing to be ASTM compliant. The first step is to measure your pool carefully so that the proper ASTM compliant safety cover can be manufactured for your pool.
Is there a difference between an in-ground and above-ground pool safety cover?
No, mesh and solid safety covers are the same product in terms of the materials and fabrication. The difference is how the safety cover is anchored to the deck. Above-ground, on-ground and semi-in-ground pools are less likely to have a deck that can accommodate the safety cover anchors. Traditional mesh and solid safety covers can be anchored to concrete, stone, paver, and wood decks.
How do I measure for a pool safety cover?
When measuring for a pool safety cover, it’s important to consider the size and shape of your pool, as well as the surrounding deck and any deck obstructions that may require the safety cover to be modified. If there are no deck obstructions and there is three feet or more of deck surrounding the pool, then only the pool needs to be measured. Pool Fits provides a safety cover measurement form for in-ground pools, a safety cover measurement form for above-ground and an-ground pools, as well as an AI-powered drone measurement system to help with obtaining accurate measurements. You are only required to measure your pool. When there isn’t a minimum of three feet of deck surrounding the pool and or there are deck obstructions, you will also need to measure the deck and locate the obstruction(s) relative to the pool. Working from your measurements, we will design a cover that is ASTM compliant to fit your pool.
Can I make my own pool safety cover?
No. Pool safety covers are designed and constructed to specific standards to ensure ASTM compliance and optimal protection for your swimming pool. Safety covers are manufactured to rigorous standards, require specific equipment, and require compliant raw materials and design requirements, which cannot be replicated. Attempting to create a cover at home may result in a poorly made product that does not provide adequate protection or meet local regulations. It is best to purchase an approved pool safety cover from a reputable supplier, such as Pool Fits, to ensure that your pool is safe and secure.
Are there any local laws that require me to have a pool safety cover installed?
Many cities and states have laws in place that require pool owners to maintain a barrier to unwanted or accidental entrance to a swimming pool. These laws are intended to prevent accidental drowning by creating a barrier between the water and any children or pets that may be nearby. Depending on your local regulations, an automatic pool cover may eliminate the requirement for a fence. In no case does a traditional mesh or solid cover eliminate the requirement for a fence. Be certain to access your local and state building codes and by-laws to ensure that the barrier(s) to accidental or unintended access to your swimming pool are met and maintained.
Additionally, many insurance companies provide incentives for pools that have safety covers. Be sure to consult with your insurer about any applicable requirements before deciding on or installing a pool safety cover.
Should I have a professional installer install my pool safety cover?
If you are installing an automatic pool safety cover, which is almost universally done when your pool is constructed, Pool Fits recommends you rely on professionals to install your automatic pool cover. This will ensure the cover and all its mechanical parts are installed correctly and that the cover will function to the manufacturer’s requirements and specifications.
If you are installing a traditional winter mesh or solid safety cover, then the answer depends on your physical capabilities and how handy you are with basic construction and construction tools. The easiest way to determine if you’re up to installing your own mesh or solid cover is to watch our video from 6:10 to 13:03. After watching our video, you can determine if you’re up to the task or would prefer to have a local pool professional install your cover.
Can I install a pool safety cover by myself?
Automatic pool covers typically require professional installation as they are powered by either electricity or hydraulics and have mechanical parts that need to work in unison with specific tracks that allow the cover to move on and off the pool with the push of button and a vault to store the cover when in the open position. Because nearly all automatic pool covers are installed during the construction of a new pool, it is recommended that certified professionals install automatic pool covers. Traditional mesh and solid safety covers can be successfully installed by a homeowner or by a certified professional. We recommend you watch our video from 6:10 to 13:03. Once you have viewed the video, you can determine if you want to install your mesh or solid cover or contract for a professional.
How long will my pool safety cover last?
The lifespan of your pool safety cover will depend primarily on the type of cover you have and the geographic region where you live. For Automatic pool covers, the average lifespan of the cover fabric itself is seven to 10 years. Automatic covers are subject to significant wear and tear as the cover is opened and closed many, many times during the swimming season. Traditional winter mesh safety covers have an average life span of 15 to 20 years, while traditional solid winter safety covers have an average life span of eight to 12 years. You can extend the life of your cover toward the maximum end of the ranges above by following three simple steps:
- Maintain your pool water chemistry
- Keep your cover clean
- Store your cover properly when not in use
Is there maintenance involved with having a pool safety cover?
It is important to perform regular maintenance on your pool safety cover to keep it working properly and extend its lifespan. This includes cleaning the cover, maintaining good water chemistry, and storing the cover properly when not in use. Finally, check for any tears, holes, or threads that have begun to deteriorate and ensure all the hardware and cover springs are in good working order.
In some cases, a cover can be repaired or patched on site. In other instances, the cover can be returned to the manufacturing facility to be professionally repaired. If you notice an issue with your cover and are uncertain if it requires repair, photograph the issue, and contact Pool Fits with your photo to get a professional opinion. If your cover is damaged to an extent that the repair will cost nearly as much as a new cover, it is recommended that the cover be replaced. Please follow the attached link to learn more about safety cover maintenance. Learn more about safety cover maintenance here.
Are there any special considerations when using a pool safety cover?
Whether using an automatic pool safety cover or a traditional mesh or solid safety cover, always follow the manufacturer’s recommended instructions for installation and care. While automatic pool covers are installed year around, in some northern climates where very cold temperatures and snow loads are experienced, the manufacturer may recommend the cover is stored in the open position, in the cover vault through the winter months, and that a traditional mesh or solid safety cover is installed during that period. Or they may allow the cover to be stored in the closed position, covering the pool either stand alone or with the addition of a traditional mesh or solid cover in place.
Traditional mesh and solid covers are only used when the pool is not in operation or closed for the off-season. It is important to ensure the pool water lever is restored to a position just below or at the skimmer opening as part of the installation process. Depending on several factors, a cubic foot of snow can weigh approximately 20 pounds, so you can understand how a pool cover with a foot or two of snow can accumulate 15,000 to 30,000 pounds of load. That snow load needs to be supported by the pool water/ice. Any safety cover, either an automatic cover or traditional mesh or solid covers cannot sustain these types of snow loads unless that load is supported by the water/ice in the pool.
How do I inspect my pool safety cover for damage, tears, or holes?
To inspect your pool safety cover for any damage, you should check it at least once a month. Start by looking over the cover for any signs of wear and tear such as rips, tears, or holes. Additionally, check all straps and hardware to make sure they are secure and replace any that have become worn or damaged. Any gaps or tears should be patched immediately. If you notice any major damage to the cover, contact Pool Fits with a picture to determine the best way to remedy your repair.
Can I leave my pool safety cover on all year round?
If desired, you can leave your pool safety cover on year-round. However, it is important to check the cover periodically for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Additionally, make sure that the straps and hardware are in good working order and are secure. Finally, inspect the edges of the cover for any gaps or tears. Contact Pool Fits with pictures so we can assist you with the proper approach to repairing your cover.
It is also important to maintain water chemistry and filtration for your pool. As water temperatures increase in the summer, leaving the cover in place and the pool opened is not recommended. Even with the cover in place, warm water conditions will allow the growth of biological matter under the cover and inside your pool as the chemical balance of the pool water dissipates over time, which is why Pool Fits recommends opening your pool during the warm weather months each year.
What is the best way to store a pool safety cover during the off-season?
There are three basic steps to properly maintain your swimming pool safety cover:
- Clean and rinse your cover thoroughly, top and bottom, after removal from the pool each spring.
- Allow your cover to dry completely before folding and storing the cover.
- Store your cover in the in the storage bag supplied by the manufacturer in a clean and dry place, preferably off the ground and in an area free of mice and other rodents.
Additionally, make sure to periodically check the condition of all components such as anchor points and cable ties to ensure that your pool cover is in proper working order.
By taking the time for regular maintenance and following the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and care, you can make sure that your swimming pool remains safe when not in use.
How can I be sure that my pool safety cover is properly secured ?
When a traditional mesh or solid safety cover is properly secured it will appear as a flat surface across the top of the pool and:
- Each of the straps and springs will be affixed to an anchor in the pool deck,
- There will between 12” and 18” of cover overlapping the pool deck, and
- There will be no areas where the pool itself can be accessed.
When an automatic safety cover is in use and covering the pool, it should cover 100% of the pool surface and secured the opposite end of the pool from where the cover vault stores the cover when the cover is in the open position and:
- The cover should be flat and supported by the water in the pool,
- There should be minimal wrinkles in the cover once fully in the closed position,
- There will be no areas where the pool itself can be accessed,
- The cover should open and extend across the pool fully as a continuous smooth operation with minimal noise and the leading-edge bar should remain parallel to the storage vault as it is extending across the pool, and
- The cover should close and retract across the pool fully as a continuous smooth operation with minimal noise and the leading-edge bar should remain parallel to the storage vault as it is retracting across the pool.
