What Kind of Pool Cover Should I Buy?

When summer ends, Canadian pool owners gear up to cover their pools for winter. Some already have a cover, but others might be thinking of getting one for the first time. Let's check out three popular options, discuss their pros and cons, and help you pick the best one for you!

Standard Pool Cover

A standard swimming pool cover typically does a fine job of keeping, dirt, snow and sunlight out of your pool for the long, cold winter months. These covers are generally made out of a tarpaulin type of material and are usually held in place by water bags.

A standard cover will usually last up to three years before it needs to be replaced because of wear and tear on the material. Be aware that its not safe to walk across this type of cover since it isn't designed to hold much in the way of weight. In fact, its not advisable to walk across any type of pool cover regardless of how much weight it can handle. Walking on this cover is risky as it isn't built to support weight. It's best to avoid walking on any pool cover, even if it seems sturdy.

Standard covers accumulate snow and ice, requiring removal in spring. However, you may also need to pump the water off after a winter thaw to make sure the weight of it doesn't collapse the cover. A standard pool cover is generally the least expensive option and does a decent job, but they don't have a long lifespan.

Safety Pool Cover

Most Canadian inground pool owners now use a security cover each winter. These covers somewhat resemble a trampoline in appearance and consist of thousands of tiny holes. When the snow and ice melts it sifts through the filter-type holes and enters the pool. Since the holes are quite small, larger pieces of dirt and debris are kept out of the pool.

The cover is kept in place by spring-loaded straps which connect to small bolt-type anchors which have been drilled into the concrete around the outside of the pool. The straps are attached with a specially-designed bar and a cover and can be placed or removed in approximately 20 minutes. This mesh-style security cover is designed to take a lot of weight and since the water seeps through it and into the pool there's no need to pump any water.

Security covers can be quite heavy, but they're durable and often last for as long as 15 years or more. If the mesh material does happen to tear it can usually be patched up with a repair kit. There are also security covers available which are made of solid vinyl, but these need to be pumped off in the spring. However, the pool water will be cleaner since nothing has seeped into the pool during the winter. The mesh-style covers don't keep the water as clean, meaning it may take a few days to clean it with chlorine after opening the pool. But another benefit of them is the fact they have a longer lifespan than the solid vinyl type. Security covers typically cost more than standard options but are less expensive than automatic covers.

Automatic Pool Covers

There are several types of automatic swimming pool covers to choose from and these are the most costly options. In addition, they're designed to keep the dust and debris out which saves cleaning time. These covers are made out of a vinyl material and usually last for about five years. Be aware that since they also act as a solar cover you may find the pool water may be a little too warm for your liking during the hottest summer months.

One of the problems of an automatic cover is a possible breakdown since it consists of pulleys, ropes, an aluminum track and a motor etc. If any of the components fails to work its almost impossible to remove it and this means you won't be able to use the pool until its repaired. These covers are designed to hold approximately 2,000 lbs. in weight, but may cave in after a very heavy snowfall. Therefore, many pool owners don't consider them to be true winter covers. However, if a heavy snowfall is predicted you can open the cover before it comes and allow it to enter the pool. It can also act as a safety cover all year long.

Shop online and save!

Discount Pool Supply offers fast and free shipping across Canada.  We have a wide range of pool cover options with better prices than retail pool stores. Have a question about buying a pool cover?  Contact one of our pool cover experts here.