Swimming pool covers are a necessary accessory for pools because they provide primarily two essential functions. First, they can reduce your pool’s maintenance cost, and second, a safety cover, in particular, can prevent pool related accidents. The four main types of pool covers are Solar Covers, Winter Covers, Leaf Nets, and Safety Covers. Understanding the basic purpose of each type should help you decide which is best for your backyard pool.
Solar covers, also known as solar blankets, significantly reduce the amount of energy you use as well as reducing the amount of water that evaporates from your pool. Solar covers raise your pool’s water temperature by an average of ten degrees by absorbing sunlight during the day and keeping that heat in the pool at night. Additionally, a solar cover will reduce your water and chemical evaporation by up to 70 percent which can save many, many gallons of water each month. If you use a heater, the heat retained by a solar cover helps to reduce your heating costs which can mean a savings of up to 90 percent in the summertime. Other advantages of solar covers are that they help keep debris out of your pool, and you will find that you need to run your filter pump less often.
Winter pool covers are used mainly to protect the pool from winter weather and to keep limbs, leaves, dirt, and other debris from falling into the pool. For an in ground pool, a winter cover is held in place with water bags placed around the edge inside sleeves which are attached to the cover. An above ground pool uses the same type of winter cover, but it is held in place by a combination winch and cable assembly that runs through grommets in the cover. Inflatable air pillows rest on the water under the winter cover to make stick and leaf removal easier, and they also help water to run off the cover. Additionally, a winter cover blocks sunlight to inhibit algae growth. A winter cover is an important part of winterizing your pool, and it makes opening your pool in the spring much easier and less expensive.
So what does a leaf net do? Leaf nets are lightweight covers made of an open weave material that fit over your winter cover or solar cover and help you avoid accumulations of wet, heavy, saturated leaves and twigs on top. Leaf nets ensure a quicker removal of leaves and help prolong the life of your winter or solar cover. They can be used in any season and are a big help if your pool is located in an area surrounded by trees. The open weave allows water to pass through the net, but it will block twigs and trash. Leaf nets help make it easier to remove the pool cover underneath.
Safety covers are the fourth type of swimming pool cover, and they are probably the most expensive. Safety covers, like the other types, are important for maintenance, but they are also the only pool covers that can prevent drowning and submersion accidents. All safety covers must meet the requirements in the ASTM standard F1346-91 (1996), which means a cover must be able to support much more than the weight of a small child or animal should they walk out onto the cover. Other types of pool covers cannot do this. A proper safety cover is securely anchored into the deck area surrounding the pool and lies flat so there are no gaps between the pool and the cover that could allow a child to get under the cover and into the water. They give the pool owner peace of mind, especially if children or pets play near the pool area.
Determining which type of pool cover is right for your swimming pool depends only on your particular situation, but covering your pool with some type of pool cover is a necessary step in properly maintaining it. A covered pool will experience less freezing in the winter than an uncovered one, a covered pool will cost less to open up in the spring time, and a covered pool will be much easier to clean and maintain throughout the swimming season.
Monthly Archives: September 2011
Swimming pool covers are a necessary accessory for pools because they provide primarily two essential functions. First, they can reduce your pool’s maintenance cost, and second, a safety cover, in particular, can prevent pool related accidents. The four main types of pool covers are Solar Covers, Winter Covers, Leaf Nets, and Safety Covers. Understanding the basic purpose of each type should help you decide which is best for your backyard pool.
Solar covers, also known as solar blankets, significantly reduce the amount of energy you use as well as reducing the amount of water that evaporates from your pool. Solar covers raise your pool’s water temperature by an average of ten degrees by absorbing sunlight during the day and keeping that heat in the pool at night. Additionally, a solar cover will reduce your water and chemical evaporation by up to 70 percent which can save many, many gallons of water each month. If you use a heater, the heat retained by a solar cover helps to reduce your heating costs which can mean a savings of up to 90 percent in the summertime. Other advantages of solar covers are that they help keep debris out of your pool, and you will find that you need to run your filter pump less often.
Winter pool covers are used mainly to protect the pool from winter weather and to keep limbs, leaves, dirt, and other debris from falling into the pool. For an in ground pool, a winter cover is held in place with water bags placed around the edge inside sleeves which are attached to the cover. An above ground pool uses the same type of winter cover, but it is held in place by a combination winch and cable assembly that runs through grommets in the cover. Inflatable air pillows rest on the water under the winter cover to make stick and leaf removal easier, and they also help water to run off the cover. Additionally, a winter cover blocks sunlight to inhibit algae growth. A winter cover is an important part of winterizing your pool, and it makes opening your pool in the spring much easier and less expensive.
So what does a leaf net do? Leaf nets are lightweight covers made of an open weave material that fit over your winter cover or solar cover and help you avoid accumulations of wet, heavy, saturated leaves and twigs on top. Leaf nets ensure a quicker removal of leaves and help prolong the life of your winter or solar cover. They can be used in any season and are a big help if your pool is located in an area surrounded by trees. The open weave allows water to pass through the net, but it will block twigs and trash. Leaf nets help make it easier to remove the pool cover underneath.
Safety covers are the fourth type of swimming pool cover, and they are probably the most expensive. Safety covers, like the other types, are important for maintenance, but they are also the only pool covers that can prevent drowning and submersion accidents. All safety covers must meet the requirements in the ASTM standard F1346-91 (1996), which means a cover must be able to support much more than the weight of a small child or animal should they walk out onto the cover. Other types of pool covers cannot do this. A proper safety cover is securely anchored into the deck area surrounding the pool and lies flat so there are no gaps between the pool and the cover that could allow a child to get under the cover and into the water. They give the pool owner peace of mind, especially if children or pets play near the pool area.
Determining which type of pool cover is right for your swimming pool depends only on your particular situation, but covering your pool with some type of pool cover is a necessary step in properly maintaining it. A covered pool will experience less freezing in the winter than an uncovered one, a covered pool will cost less to open up in the spring time, and a covered pool will be much easier to clean and maintain throughout the swimming season.
Do you ever wonder what happens to RVs when they are not out on the road? A 2005 University of Michigan study commissioned by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) discovered that RV owners are on the road an average of only 26 days each year. This leaves approximately 339 days when the RV is not in use. Where does the RV “live” when its owners are not taking a vacation?
While an enclosed garage or storage area is the best place to store an RV for extended periods of time, most owners don’t have access to such a facility. More often than not, an RV stands idle on a homeowner’s property or at an outdoor RV storage facility. Harsh weather, moisture, sun, insects, birds, dirt, and other debris can take a heavy and expensive toll on an RV, so the best way to protect an RV is with RV covers. RV covers are a necessary accessory for ensuring that your mobile vacation home stays in top shape until the next time you want to take it on the road.
There’s a proper RV cover to fit just about every kind of RV, from Class A, B, and C to 5th wheel RVs, travel trailers, truck campers, and folding campers. Be sure to select the appropriate cover for your particular RV to ensure the best fit. RV covers can be custom made, too, for those who want an even better fit or special features. Just any kind of RV covers won’t do, though. RV covers should be constructed of a rugged, but breathable material. You’ll want a material that can endure harsh weather conditions, but at the same time, prevent moisture from becoming trapped and turning into mold and mildew. Some RV covers come equipped with access panels, making it easier to reach different parts of your RV without having to remove the entire cover to do so.
When you’re ready to hit the road on your next RV vacation, you can easily remove and store your RV covers until they are needed again. If you leave your vehicle in good condition before covering it, you’ll find it in the same good shape when the covers are off. This means that you can spend less time preparing your RV for departure and more time enjoying the scenery. All in all, if you are among the millions of people across the country who are joining the ranks of proud and satisfied RV owners, then taking proper care of your recreational vehicle when it’s not in use will ensure that it continues to bring you safely and comfortably on vacation adventures for many years.
We give you a lot of information about the covers that we offer for your automobile, watercrafts, campers, and motorcycles. What you might not know is that Mighty Covers also offers some very cool accessories to improve or aid our covers and make your life a little easier. Below is a list of some of the “other” supplies we offer. Even if you’re not in the market for a “cover”, Mighty Covers might STILL have you covered. Check it out!
- Safety Pool Covers
- Sandbox Covers to keep out pesky animals and bugs
- RV and Camper Covers
- Patio Furniture Covers
- Swing Set Tarps
- Holiday Decorations Bin
- Sun Sails
- And SO much more!
Patio furniture covers can be put on and removed easily, making their frequent use possible. Homeowners can quickly cover their patio furniture before a big storm, and then remove the covers once the weather has passed. Patio furniture covers constructed with superior quality fabrics are designed to withstand many years of harsh weather conditions, too, so they can protect furniture successfully for extended periods of time. Additionally, patio furniture covers are easy to store because they can be folded away and stowed in a small space when not being used.
Storing outdoor furniture, covering it, or doing nothing to protect it is entirely a choice to be made by each individual homeowner. Understanding some of the advantages and disadvantages of each option, though, is essential so that you can make the most suitable choice for your situation.
It’s time to put your Jet Ski away for the winter. Storing it properly now will ensure that its condition does not deteriorate over the winter months.
- Drain the engine. Be especially sure that it is free of all water from the last ride.
- Wash the exterior of the jet ski. Clean away any dirt, debris, or algae that might have accumulated over the season. You should also dry the exterior thoroughly. For best results, wax the exterior prior to storage.
- Make sure that the gas tank is full and add gas stabilizers.
- Remove the spark plugs.
- Disconnect the battery and store it indoors for the winter month
- Use a jet ski cover to keep dust, weather, and animals off your jet ski during the winter months.
During hurricane season, homes along coastal regions are often without power for extended periods of time. High winds, pounding rains, falling trees, and flying debris are several of the many disasters that can knock out power lines during these damaging and deadly storms. Generators are essential in areas that are constantly in a hurricane’s path. They are gas powered engines that can provide electricity to your homes during times of power outages. Air conditioners and heaters, home security alarms, refrigerators and freezers, telephones, and lights can all be run with a gas powered generator. As you can see, these machines are often VERY important to the welfare and sanity of people in a hurricane’s wake. During the months that are not in hurricane season, make sure that you keep your generator dry, protected, and ready to go in the case of an emergency. Be sure to store them in a dry environment and use a generator cover for added protection. Covers protect against sun and UV damage, bad weather, dirt, birds, and tree sap. Taking proper care of your equipment not only keeps it in top shape, but it can extend the life of the equipment and guarantee many years of dependable service. With superior protection, you can be sure that your generator will be ready at a moment’s notice.