In Ground Pool Covers for Winter



With the unpredictable changes in the weather every day, maintaining the pool can be a headache. Especially under the intense heat of the sun after the swimming season, your pool can be severely damaged without you knowing it. To answer this problem, I recommend this post about in ground pool covers for winter.

In ground pool cover for winter can offer the durability and strength to protect your pool against the harshest weather conditions. Without protection, your pool can deteriorate soon and can be an eyesore in your home. Make your pool last for a long time with proper care that can protect it from the cold winter season.

What is the role of winter covers for in ground swimming pools? If you hate cleaning the debris, leaves, and branches in your swimming pool every spring time, then you need winter covers for the in ground swimming pool. You can simply cover your swimming pool for the winter. This saves you the chore of doing all those messy cleaning when spring time comes.

A winter cover for your pool will prevent the debris, leaves, branches, and dirt from going into your pool during winter. You will avoid the inconvenience of cleaning up every time you open your pool during the spring season if you have a cover. If your pool is uncovered, it can also be prone to algae growth as well as damage from rain, snow, and ice.

When you are ready to shop for in ground winter pool cover, always be aware of the Scrim number. This particular number is the weave tightness in the underlying thread construction. What does this number means? Look for a higher scrim number. A higher scrim number means better quality.

As much as possible, check out the material used for in ground pool covers for winter. I suggest you prefer those materials that are both strong and resistant to tear. One of the toughest materials we can find in the market is the woven polyethylene. Tough polyethylene threads will not rot easily, unlike its cotton counterparts. The threads are strong enough to resist the usual wear and tear; thus, it will not easily split apart.

You also need to look for in ground covers with tight weave. If the covers are constructed with extremely tight weave, it will not allow light to pass through. This means no more algae growth for your pool. Algae can never grow without sunlight.

With these tips in mind, the internet is a good source of great deals for in ground pool covers for winter. Use your good old friend Google and happy shopping!

In Ground Solar Covers



This feature will tell you more about in ground solar covers and why you need to seriously consider it when you have a pool or considering having one. Among all swimming pool covers, the in ground solar pool cover is perhaps one of the cheapest of them. They covers sometimes go by the name solar blankets too.

To prolong its beauty and functionality, the pool requires proper maintenance. With this maintenance, you need to spend for water, chemicals, and energy costs. This is a requirement especially after the swimming season in order to keep it functional for a long time.

After the swimming season, the swimming pool must also endure what Mother Nature throws for a certain period of time. Using a quality in ground solar pool cover is one of the solutions that you need to consider seriously as a solution to this concern.

In ground solar pool covers are like giant sheets of bubble wrap. The bubble wraps has the ability to trap the heat of the sun. This heat can be used to keep the swimming pool warm, keeping your pool inviting for a swim even during the colder seasons. The in ground solar cover can also be very helpful in trapping the heat of the water. This prevents the escape of the heat in the pool during nighttime and this makes your pool fit for night swimming.

For your information, solar pool covers are also known as solar blankets in local shops and malls. These solar blankets have a very important role. You have to understand that retaining heat is always a concern with swimming pools especially when the summer season ends and the cold weather starts to lower the temperature of the pool. The solar blanket will be helpful in raising the temperature of the pool water by a certain degree. In addition, solar blankets can prevent massive heat loss as well. You will be surprised that with the help of solar blankets or solar covers, your heating cost can drop by as much as 70%.

The investment you will make on a quality in ground solar cover will save you both time and money in the long run. This translates to huge savings from energy costs. Maybe you do not have a pool yet but if you are planning to have one, then you need a good plan to invest in a quality closing kit with a durable pool solar cover.

Safety Pool Covers



Did you know that accidental drowning is the second leading cause of death for children 1 to 14 years of age? Thus, this post will highlight the importance of safety pool covers for the safety of your children and even your pets.

The first thing you need to understand is that in ground pool solar covers and even in ground pool covers for winter are actually not safety covers. To be considered as a safety cover, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F1346-91 standard (1996) has a minimum requirement of holding 485 pounds per five square feet for pool covers.

Safety pool covers come in two types: the mesh pool cover and the solid pool cover. Both these covers are anchored to a deck with straps. These straps are normally attached to stainless steel springs and anchored to recessed brackets in the deck surface.

Solid pool covers may not be recommended when there are consistent heavy rains experienced in the area. This is because these solid safety covers can create a puddle of water on its top. This is quite risky for kids.

The advantage of in ground mesh pool covers is that it usually allow rain and snow to pass through, slowly filing the swimming pool. Because there is no puddle of water on top, there is no risk of the kids coming in contact with the covered pool.

With solid safety covers, however, the issue is with the puddle of water collected over the pool after a heavy rain or snow. The collected water will likely make the solid cover sag. This presents a risk to children and kids. This will likely invite them to wander onto the pool cover without the supervision of adults.

This had been a concern for most parents. To address this problem, manufacturers incorporated drain panels to allow the water to pass through. There are also solid covers that have small pumps that can pump water off as soon as water is detected in the cover.

The advantage of solid pool covers as safety pool covers is that these types usually stop all particles from filtering through the pool. This will keep the pool clean all throughout the winter. Although this is not the case with manufacturers who incorporated drains.

Personally, I really do not recommend the solid pool covers. They are expensive and be quite slippery too because of the puddle of water. I only recommend these solid pool covers if there is no kid or pet in the house. If there are young children, opt for the in ground mesh covers instead.

In Ground Mesh Pool Covers



Between in ground mesh pool covers and solid pool covers, which one should you choose? Let this post serve as a guide to your choice for pool safety covers.

Safety is one of the more common concerns of people when looking for covers for the swimming pool. What should be the choice for pool safety covers? This is particularly the concern of parents who have young kids 14 years old and below, especially the age of 1 to 3 years old. If you have children or pets, you need to find safety covers for your pools that are ASTM compliant. These safety pool covers will never allow water to aggregate on top of the cover; thus, excluding risks of drowning. As a parent, this is a small price to pay for the safety of your kids.

There are two types of safety covers for your pool. In this post, the feature will be more focused on the in ground mesh pool covers. These covers are designed to be used for the long term. These covers are very appropriate for closing your swimming pool during the winter.

Mesh pool covers just need low maintenance. This is because fine particles like debris that lands on the cover are just blown off the top. Meanwhile, the rain and snow are just drained through the mesh panels. But the best feature of these in ground mesh covers is that because puddles (or a small pool of water) cannot accumulate on top of the cover, it is very safe for kids. Because there is no water that accumulates, the kids will never come in contact with the area. Thus, there is no virtually risk of drowning.

The only problem with in ground mesh pool covers is that these covers, because of its screen-like material, cannot stop the very fine particles from filtering through. The particles like dirt and silt from the rain and snow can pass through the pool. Hence, you might just need to do some extra cleaning when you reopen your pool during the spring time.

The mesh cover will not also allow the sunlight to pass through. This guarantees that your swimming pool remains free from algae. This also explains why the underside of most mesh covers is black.

Look for rugged in ground mesh pool covers that are made from woven polyethylene threads that are U.V. protected. These threads are strong enough to fight the rain, ice, snow, sleet, and even strong winds. Also check if the hems are double stitched for strength.
With regards to price, in ground mesh pool covers are also very inexpensive compared to those solid pool covers. Check out post on safety pool covers for the contrast between mesh covers and solid covers for your pool.

Swimming Pool Safety Covers



Protect Your Children And Your Investment With Swimming Pool Safety Covers

One of the leading causes of death and injury to children under the age of 14 is drowning according to the CDC. A swimming pool safety cover can prevent these needless tragedies. There are several types of safety covers available from which you may chose. Standard sized rectangular covers are less expensive than custom covers, but be aware that many manufacturers void the warranty if you use a rectangular cover on a free form, Grecian or oval pool.

The two basic types of safety covers are the mesh cover and the vinyl cover. Vinyl covers are usually not considered to be true swimming pool safety covers since water can accumulate on the surface of the cover. Some vinyl covers are available with a mesh panel in the center which allows water to drain into the pool. There are also pumps which will pump water off the cover. The pumps usually work on a sensor and turn on when they sense the presence of water on the cover.

Mesh swimming pool safety covers protect your pool from leaves and debris while allowing water to drain into the pool. All safety covers are required to be able to support 485 lbs per 5 sq. ft. of pool cover. Safety covers are pulled taut above the water level of the pool and fasten into the pool deck with anchors and loops. Mesh covers may allow silt to filter into the pool when it is not in use for long periods.

Safety covers need to be installed and removed with a special tool and cannot be accidently dislodged. There are also safety pool nets available which fasten to the anchors in your deck and prevent small children from accidently falling into the pool. The nets do not provide protection for the pool itself as the covers do. They stretch above the water and their only function is to protect children and toddlers. The nets are lighter and easier to install than the safety pool covers, but they do not take the place of a swimming pool safety cover.

There are automatic swimming pool safety covers available. These covers roll up on a reel and fasten into tracks on the sides of your pool. They operate with electricity and a key which is used to turn them on. While automatic covers provide convenience, they are considerably more expensive than standard safety covers.

Swimming pool safety covers not only protect against accidents, they also protect your pool from the elements. They prevent debris from getting into the pool and help prevent evaporation. Many have UV protection built in to protect your pool from algae and your liner from fading. The covers are available in several attractive colors.

If you have a swimming pool, whether in ground or above ground, you need a pool cover. The investment in a swimming pool safety cover is well worth the cost. It provides the best protection for your pool and for your family and it will last for years. If you have a pool and you don’t have a swimming pool safety cover, you should consider buying one before it’s time to close your pool for the winter.

Solar Cover Reels



Solar pool covers save energy and water when you use them. They have to be removed before you use your pool. It can be difficult for one person to remove the cover or put it back in place. That’s why you need a solar cover reel. Solar cover reels make it easy to remove your solar cover and put it in place. They also keep the cover neatly out of the way when you aren’t using it.

There are reels available for in ground pools and above ground pools with full decks. Most reels are portable so they can be moved for winter storage. The solar cover reels keep your solar cover or blanket wrapped tightly keeping it clean and out of the way. They also extend the life of your solar cover which may be damaged by pulling or folding.

There are a number of options available for solar reels. You may choose an automatic reel. The automatic reel operates on water power. You simply hook up a garden hose to the reel and flip the lever. It takes the automatic reel about one minute to roll up your solar pool cover and the water it uses goes back into your pool. This takes all the hassle out of removing your solar cover and makes it simple to put the cover back in place when you are done.

Other reels operate with a hand crank. These are easy to use and work on any pool which has a full deck. Rolling your solar pool cover onto the reel is a snap and it can be done by any adult. No help is needed. When you put your cover away for the winter, you may also purchase a tarp which rolls around the reel and fastens to protect your solar cover from tears and damage while it is being stored.

Solar cover reels are available in a variety of sizes to fit most pools. Most reels come equipped with wheels which makes them easy to move when you want them out of the way or when it’s time to store your cover. The reels are even available for some above ground pools without decks. Solar covers can extend the season of your pool by keeping the water warmer and reels make it simple to always keep your pool covered when it’s not in use.

Most reels are made from heavy duty, light weight aluminum. Some are available in steel. Low profile reels for in ground pools will fit under most diving boards keeping the reel out of the way when the pool is in use. All reels are designed to be operated by one person making pool owners more likely to use their solar cover appropriately.

Solar pool cover reels encourage use of your solar pool cover which prevents evaporation of water and chemicals from your pool and keeps your pool warm without the use of your heater. They also keep your pool cleaner and extend the season for use of your pool. If you have a solar pool cover, shouldn’t you have a reel too?

Solar Covers for Pools



The greatest loss of heat and water from your swimming pool is due to evaporation. Even when the sun is shining down, the water reflects much of it’s warmth and evaporation causes significant cooling of the water and water loss. A solar pool cover can help capture the heat of the sun and stop much of the evaporation saving energy, water and money.

A solar pool cover may also be called a solar blanket. Solar covers are not safety covers and lay on top of the water in your pool. They do not attach to the pool. Solar covers must be removed before using the pool. They are relatively light weight and reels are available to make it simple for only one adult to remove the cover.

Solar pool covers look like large sheets of bubble wrap. They are usually transparent, but are available in colors. The air in the covers absorbs warmth from the sun and transfers it to the water. The plastic of the cover prevents water from evaporating. Users of solar covers have reported savings of between 40% and 70% on the cost of heating their pools.

Most solar pool covers are sold in standard rectangular sizes. There are other solutions for pools that are irregularly shaped. There are round solar pads with magnetic edges that can be tossed into the pool and will act as a solar cover. While these discs are not quite as effective as a standard solar blanket, they still can save a significant amount of energy. In addition to the round pads, there are liquid filled solar “fish”. These fish shaped solar collectors are not effective at preventing evaporation, but they will collect and disburse solar heat and can be left in the pool while it is in use.

Solar pool covers can be used for outdoor and indoor pools and work for in ground or above ground pools. There are some standard size round covers available for above ground pools. In indoor pools, solar blankets not only help keep the water warm and prevent evaporation, they cut down on the need for ventilation by reducing the humidity of the room when the pool is not in use.

One advantage of using a solar pool cover is that you can extend the season for the use of your pool. The solar heat will warm the water during the day, and the blanket will eliminate evaporation during the night keeping the water warm. Instead of only using your pool during the hottest summer months you can open it early in the spring and close it down later in the fall.

If your pool is oddly shaped or if you don’t want to bother with a solar cover, there is a liquid solar pool cover that can be added to your pool water. The liquid cover is not as effective as the blanket, but it will help keep the water warm and cut down on evaporation. It is safe and will not harm people, animals or the environment. There is no reason not to use a solar pool cover for your pool.