SWIMMING POOL COVERS

This is a necessary pool accessory that many people don't initially think about. They are far more interested in playing in the pool than covering it up. It's usually not until they have spent several hours cleaning out leaves and dirt that have fallen in that they realize a cleaner pool could be enjoyed if they had a pool cover.

Swimming pool covers range in price and materials. There are a few standard catagories including solar pool covers, winter covers, automatic covers and safety covers.

Safety is a very big issue if you have small children around. You'll need to get a cover that young children or pets cannot wiggle under or move around. The best safety covers are generally tied down or attached in some manner to prevent moving them without an experienced adult.

Pool covers do a lot more than just keep out debris, they also prevent water loss from evaporation, passively help retain heat and can even boost heat if its a thermal pool cover.

When shopping for a swimming pool cover your best first step is to visit your local pool builder and home improvement store to see what they recommend for your size and type of pool. In ground and above ground pools require different types of covers. The specialty pool supply store will have demo models available and lots of additional literature from the various manufacturers. Don't forget to check on any warranties available and what the warranty covers.

Most pool covers come on a reel, either automatic or hand cranked, that will spool up the cover when not needed and allow for easy unrolling when its time to protect.

If you wish to avoid the market of pool heaters and want your cover to do double duty, you'll need to consider one of the many solar pool covers available in order to protect the pool and gain the added benefit of passive heat gain. This type will float on the water's surface allowing for direct contact in order to raise the water temperature.

Winter covers however, are strictly designed to protect the pool during the non use period of winter months. They are generally made of more durable, heavy vinyl and are designed to prevent damage from ice and snow chunks.