10 Smart Reasons to Cover a Swimming Pool

We all have heard that you should be using a cover on your swimming pool.  But why should you start to utilize this often unsung hero of the backyard swimming pool?  Well, we found you a whole 10 reasons you should be using a swimming pool cover!  

Spa and Pool Covers Save Energy, Water and Money

Although you keep your swimming pool clean and maintain the equipment, getting a cover for that pool will cut down on energy use and costs, evaporation, and save you time. It’s just one of those things that, sooner or later, you’re going to have to buy.

Yes, your pool may be aqua now, the water calm and still and the atmosphere perfect–as close to paradise as you’re going to get in your backyard. You work hard and diligently to maintain the pool and keep it clean, and it reflects your efforts. But then overnight, the winds pick up. The next morning, your pool is an unrecognizable pond full of leaves, twigs, and debris from last night’s winds. There goes your little piece of paradise!

If you only had bought a pool cover instead of that inflatable floating bar. But hey, it’s never too late to cover your pool. Consider these 10 reasons for getting a swimming pool cover.

Slows Down or Stops Evaporation

Remember learning about evaporationin an elementary school science class? It’s the process in which a liquid is changed into a vapor, and that’s what happens with your pool water every day it’s not covered.

Cuts Down on Chemical Use

The watery red eyes and sneezes are a dead giveaway: pool chemicals can cause reactions ranging from irritation to allergies and asthma. Using a pool cover reduces a pool’s chemical consumption by 35–60 percent.

Helps the Swimming Pool Retain Heat

Covering a heated swimming pool at night will reduce heat loss. That means warmer water, which is what anyone who has gone swimming in a chilly backyard pool can tell you is very important! For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures go down.

You don’t have to buy the most expensive pool cover to notice a difference: lower-cost vinyl and solar covers will still keep the water warm.

Keeps Out Leaves, Twigs and Yard Debris

Visualize a pool without a cover. Stuff out of your control blows or falls into your pool: dog toys, dead insects, shedding shrubs and trees, etc. Next, you’ll be out there with a net attached to a telescoping pole, spending your afternoon fishing for random objects. Or, you could use a pool cover and not be chasing down every leaf that lands in your pool. Perhaps have more time to do something like, ummm, swim?

Less Maintenance

Do you enjoy vacuuming the swimming pool? Even if you do get a certain thrill from this necessary chore, wouldn’t it be nice to vacuum less often, and for a shorter amount of time? Pool covers make maintaining your swimming pool a whole lot easier.

Saves Money

You know how certain things are worth the investment? This is one of those things. Buy a pool cover and experience almost immediate savings. Heating bills will be lower, you won’t have to buy as many chemicals, use as much water, etc. You get the picture.

Cuts Down on Energy Costs

You just learned that pool covers help save money in general. As far as energy goes, pool covers can help save energy whether your pool is heated with gas, electricity or solar. Saving energy = saving money. Kind of a win-win situation.

Can Help With Safety

The swimming pool covers that are made of sturdy fiberglass mesh are the covers that will prevent anyone from falling into the water, provided they are attached and installed properly. Some fiberglass mesh covers can hold up to 400 pounds per square foot. Not surprisingly, these covers are heavy and will need to be used with a manual or automatic track system.

Other covers, like tarps and solar covers, do not provide any safety against falling through and into the water. Be wary of anyone who tries to sell you a tarp or solar cover as a safety cover.

Conserves Water

A covered pool conserves water by losing less due to evaporation. This means you won’t be filling up your swimming pool as often as you did when you were cover-less. If you live in a drought area, using less water is the smart way to go.