Why Do You Need A Pool Safety Cover?

28Feb

And How To Use It During WInter

Although warm temperatures may be difficult to think about right now, they will soon be on their way back and there’s no doubt that the perfect accessory to those hot and sticky days is a pool. While pools may be a fun way to refresh, having a pool does require some commitment and responsibility. Regular and seasonal maintenance is imperative for maintaining your investment, but perhaps the most important part of owning a pool is ensuring a safe environment. While there are many steps you can take to ensure pool safety, some of the most important aspects are swimming pool safety covers.

Why Do Pools Need To Be Covered?

When it comes to swimming pool equipment, your goal should always be “safety first.” As a pool owner, you owe it to your family, friends and neighbours to keep everything in and around the pool safe and sound. Swimming pool safety covers are an important piece of swimming pool equipment since a proper cover helps keep the pool protected from the elements and prevents accidents.

How Is It Different From Winter Covers?

Safety covers are generally harder and more durable than traditional winter covers. A pool winter cover doesn’t provide security against accidents (like a child falling in), it just protects your water and makes it easier to open the pool in the spring. A safety cover does both – prevents debris from entering the pools but also gives extra protection for pets and kids. Safety covers are specially designed to withhold a minimum weight which helps to prevent drowning.

Types Of Safety Pool Covers

There are many types of swimming pool safety covers, all of which work to benefit the pool water cleaning and heating.

Mesh

Mesh swimming pool safety covers consist of mesh panels that allow for drainage. They are designed for long-term use (i.e. winterization) and are well suited for areas that see a lot of rain or snow. Because water does not accumulate, mesh covers also eliminate the risk of children or pets coming into contact with any puddles. Mesh covers may not, however, completely protect from all dirt and debris. This means that you will have to clean the pool thoroughly when you open it in the spring.

Solid

Solid covers are similar to mesh covers, except they do not allow for drainage. This can be an issue in climates susceptible to lots of rain and snow; accumulated puddles are considered hazards in terms of safety and damage. Fortunately, many manufacturers incorporate drain areas into the covers. Some retailers also offer cover pumps, which can be used to automatically detect and drain water.

As the name implies, solid safety covers provide a “solid” sealed barrier, most often made of vinyl, over the pool. This will keep sunlight, dirt and other water from getting into the pool. Compared to mesh safety pool covers, solid covers are heavier and require installation by swimming pool equipment professionals and some maintenance during the winter.

Automatic

Automatic covers are a great way to save money in the long run, and keep things easy and convenient. Not only are they made to keep children and pets out of the pool, but they also keep your pool clean AND warm. They are made of strong, durable materials and will save you on chemicals and water loss. How do automatic covers work? Interlocking gears. Once you switch on the system, the gears will automatically begin spinning the heavy aluminum tube. As a result, the pool cover will also roll on and off to cover or uncover the pool. All of that with the press of a button – simple!

Benefits Of Safety Pool Covers

Drawbacks Of Safety Pool Covers

The thing you have to keep in mind is that prices for swimming pool safety covers depend on the size of pool you have, as well as the amount of effort you want to put into taking it on and off.

Tips For Closing The Pools During The Ottawa WInter

Just because you can’t enjoy your backyard pool throughout the winter season doesn’t mean you should neglect it. With the harsh winter weather Ottawa is experiencing, your swimming pool safety cover is likely to suffer from a buildup of heavy snow and ice. Here’s what you need to know about clearing it off safely to protect your pool so you can enjoy it when summer arrives.

Appropriate Fit Is A Must

When closing your pool for the winter season, make sure the swimming pool safety cover fits perfectly. If the cover is too big or too small, it may not fully protect your pool resulting in costly damage. Keep in mind that you will still need to adjust your pool cover through the winter to prevent sagging or blowing off. These issues can make your pool susceptible to damage and debris.

Cover Pumps For Excess Water

The purpose of a cover pump is to remove excess water from the top of your pool cover. It’s important to install a cover pump and ensure it is in working order before winter arrives. If water accumulates, it will freeze, become very heavy on the pool cover, and end up causing damage.

Clear Snow

A light dusting of snow won’t hurt your swimming pool cover, but a heavy buildup can damage the cover and introduce debris to inground pools or even collapse above ground pools. When you hear a snowstorm is on the way, it’s time to be vigilant about pool snow removal. Use a long broom to sweep or push the snow off your pool cover and continue doing this to avoid snow buildup. Never use a shovel or any other sharp object to remove snow since this can easily tear and damage your pool cover. If the snow is light and warmer days are in the forecast, wait for it to melt and then use the cover pump to remove any excess water.

Eliminate Ice Buildup

When water freezes on top of your pool cover, it can cause tearing or other serious damage to the lining of your pool. The best way to avoid ice buildup is to clear it off the cover consistently and carefully and to use the cover pump to remove excess water. However, when you encounter freezing rain or any major ice buildup, it is best to leave it until it melts. Do not try to melt the ice or break it up with a shovel as this can cause more damage.

Conclusion

Swimming pool safety covers are an essential part of your overall safety. Your swimming pool can be a great place to spend the warmer months, but with a bit of precaution and care, pool covers will help to ensure it stays enjoyable, safe, and clean.

Keep in mind that for a pool cover to be considered a “safety cover” it must be able to handle a certain amount of weight, have no spaces for anyone to fall through and have adequate draining. In some instances, you can even combine the two types of covers for added protection. Check with a swimming pool equipment specialist to make sure your pool cover is certified safe!