What type of Safety Cover solution best suits your needs?
What is a Safety Cover?
A Safety Cover is simply a woven mesh or solid vinyl winter cover that can be used on all in ground and some aboveground pools. It is designed to be pulled taut across the pool, and is secured with straps to anchors that you install around the pool's perimeter. Safety Covers not only prevent leaves & debris from getting into your pool water while your pool is closed, they are also designed to prevent accidental submersion, providing an extra level of protection for your family, neighbors, pets and area wildlife.
- Superior Protection for Conscientious Pool Owners
- Ideal for all In ground Pools & some decked Aboveground Pools
- For winter shutdown & extended periods of non-use during the swim season
- A More Tailored, Attractive Look than Standard Winter Covers can Provide
- Safety Covers Need Approximately 36" of Concrete Decking, Wood, Pavers, or other Suitable Rock Around the Perimeter of the Pool
Safety pool covers usually come in two varieties: Mesh & Solid. Both types of safety covers are anchored to a deck with straps that pull the cover taut over the pool; the straps usually attach to stainless steel springs and are anchored to recessed brackets in a deck surface. When the cover is removed, deck brackets that are not already flush with the deck can be screwed down to prevent tripping or toe-stubbing. Because the straps need to be anchored down, mesh covers generally require at least two to three feet of decking all around the pool. There is a variety of deck anchors for all types of decking material including, but not limited to, concrete, brick, asphalt, earth, and wood. Both mesh and solid Safety Covers offer their own benefits. Deciding on the type of material is an important step in choosing the Safety Cover that's right for your pool, your situation:
Mesh Safety Swimming Pool Covers
Mesh safety pool covers are designed for long-term use, such as when closing a pool for winter. Mesh safety pool covers require little maintenance because debris that lands on them blows off the top, and rain and snow drain through the mesh panels; however, with the screen-like material of mesh, some silt and dirt may get through the webbing. On the other hand, because puddles cannot accumulate on the surface, having a mesh-style safety pool cover eliminates the risk of toddlers or pets unexpectedly coming in contact with shallow water.Mesh material is generally lighter and easier to handle than solid material, which means you'll have an easier time getting your new Safety Cover on and off your pool. Safety Covers made from mesh material are also typically less expensive than solid Safety Covers.
If your main concern is for safety, a mesh safety cover is the best choice. A mesh cover allows all water to drain through, and is absolutely maintenance free. Simply put a mesh safety cover on your pool and forget about it until spring. There are different quality of mesh covers available.Generally speaking, a higher quality mesh cover has more black strands for enhanced resistance to ultraviolet rays (reduced algae growth), more strands per inch for greater strength, improved tear strength, improved abrasion resistance, and a better/longer warranty.
Solid Safety Pool Covers
Solid safety pool covers work similarly to mesh covers in that they can be secured to a deck by anchors. Solid safety pool covers may not be best for use in areas that receive heavy rain or snowfall. Unlike mesh covers that allow water to drain through the cover, precipitation can accumulate on a solid cover, creating a puddle of water over the pool. The collected water may tend to sag the cover and present a hazard to any small children or pets who, if unsupervised, wander onto to pool cover. To combat this problem, some manufacturers incorporate drain panels into solid vinyl covers. Small cover pumps that automatically pump water off the cover as soon as it is detected may also be used.
If your main concern is keeping a pool clean, especially when you open it in the spring, then a solid vinyl cover is the best choice. Solid material's big advantage is that it prevents sunlight & fine particles from entering the pool, which helps keep your pool water clean over the winter by preventing dirt and algae accumulation. With the right water treatment, your pool can be virtually crystal clear. There are a few safety concerns because the cover is solid. Water collects on top of the cover and poses a drowning risk. With this type of cover, standing water must be pumped off to reduce drowning risk. If you like the benefits of a vinyl cover, but don't want to pump the water off, another option is available - a vinyl cover combined with a mesh drain panel. Maintenance will be cut dramatically. Most, if not all, water will drain off your cover through the mesh drain panel. If you do still have a bit of water on the cover, you will need to pump it off.
Why Should I Buy a Safety Cover for my Pool?
A Safety Cover offers you several important benefits that are simply not available with a standard "tarp-style" Winter Cover:
Note: It is usually less expensive to purchase a rectangular cover that will cover your non-standard size pool or irregular shaped pool. But what most dealers will NOT tell you is that this will void the warranty with the manufacturer. This is true for ALL manufacturers' warranties. So please keep this in mind before ordering a rectangle cover for your Grecian, Roman, Oval or Freeform pool
