The Top 8 Benefits and Advantages of Pool Covers
If you are designing or accessorising your swimming pool, there are plenty of pool add-ons that will save you money, decrease your pool maintenance requirements and help the environment. You can modify or upgrade your pool with add-on options such as lighting, heating, robotic auto-cleaning, sunning or tanning ledges, outdoor showers and spa jets.
However, there is one essential pool add-on that ticks all the boxes – a swimming pool cover.
Swimming pool covers provide so many key benefits and advantages for your outdoor pool area, that they should be considered mandatory and indispensible – not just optional. Of course, you can choose not to cover your pool, but you probably won’t like the end result after it gets contaminated with dust, dirt and plant debris.
To help you decide whether or not a pool cover is suitable for your pool, we’ve compiled a list of the main benefits and advantages. Some of these may not be relevant to your needs, location, local environment and/or climate (i.e. temperature, humidity & wind conditions), in which case you should consult your local pool tech or use your own discretion to assess the added value of installing a pool cover.
There are also many different types of pool cover options specifically designed for different situations & purposes – including winter, solar, safety and security pool covers.
- Helps maintain and/or increase pool water temperature by up to 4˚C for a warmer pool and reduced heating costs. However, during hot summer days, if pool water temperature exceeds 28˚C, remove cover and allow it to cool naturally, especially with chlorinated sanitation systems.
- Reduces water evaporation when pool is not in use. Floating covers can almost eliminate evaporation completely. Save money with reduced water fees and conserve water. Note: uncontrolled water loss through evaporation & other leakages can result in damage to pool skimmers and pumps sucking in dry air.
- Reduces chlorine consumption by filtering out UV light which causes chlorine to degrade. As a result, you can save time & money since fewer pool chemical top-ups are required. If you’ve just chlorinated your pool and it’s over-chlorinated, remember to leave pool cover off for 48 hours until chlorine levels normalise.
- Prevents pool contamination by leaf litter, dust and other debris. Reduces cleaning load placed on automatic cleaners, skimmers, filter and pumps; saves you time cleaning/maintaining pool equipment; and reduces chlorine consumption & costs. Debris on covers can be swept up or blown off with a leaf blower.
- Avoid flow blockages in unused pools to help maintain the efficiency of chlorinator/filter, avoid potential equipment failure and prevent “green pool” events.
- Preserves water quality in unused pools so they require less supervision and maintenance, whether you’re too busy, on vacation or the pool is situated on a vacant property.
- Makes spring pool opening easier by maintaining normal water quality throughout winter. If your pool water is not contaminated, your spring opening may be as simple as topping up the water/start-up chemicals and turning on the filter.
- Secures & seals off unsupervised or unattended pools to help keep your children & pets safe. Safety pool covers can compliment compulsory safety fences & parental supervision to boost overall safety for families living in a pool environment. Also keeps out unwanted intruders, such as birds. Mounted pool alarms with floating/wave sensors can also be used with pool covers to provide extra safety.
For some, pool covers aren’t always pleasing to the eye and can be a hassle but given their benefits & advantages, they are undoubtedly essential equipment to add to your pool.
