The leaves are changing, the temperatures are dropping, and the kids are back in school. That means a lot of things to families around the country, but for most of us it also means that it’s finally time to close down the pool for the winter. 

It doesn’t really matter where in the country you call home, the fact is that shutting down your swimming pool is something that you absolutely have to do in order to ensure that when next spring rolls around you’re ready for it.

And while there are plenty of steps involved in closing down a pool, putting on a quality pool cover is one of the most important.

While applying chemicals, preparing the pump and filtration systems for the cold weather, and other aspects of the pool shutdown process can’t be ignored, many people actually overlook what a good cover does for them and their pool.

One of the most obvious areas that it helps with is that it keeps debris out of your pool. If you’ve ever spent time with a skiff net or pool skimmer you know how frustrating it can be to try and remove all the leaves and other junk that gets in a pool. But it’s vital to do so or your pump could suffer, and a pool cover can eliminate the hassle for you.

Simply put, a pool cover is designed to protect your swimming pool from harm. And while the debris issue is one area that is obviously a big help, it’s also worth understanding that just putting on certain covers could help to prevent freezing. 

In colder areas there is usually no way to avoid at least some freeze, but pool covers often help work on a solar level and warm up the water even in the winter. It can help make it harder for pools to freeze over.

While this may not be a huge concern for some, others – especially those with above ground pools – may need to consider it.

There’s another reason that investing in a quality pool cover is important, and that comes down to simple safety. No, they won’t actually stop a child from falling into them, but adding one can usually help to prevent pets and kids from even going near them. 

It may be too cold to swim, but kids enjoy throwing toys into water just to see a splash. When they can’t do so, they’re more apt to stay away. It’s not always a problem, but it’s worth considering.

Pool covers can also help you avoid algae issues. Most algae growth is actually triggered by the sun, and simply covering your pool and shielding it from the UV rays can help reduce and prevent the development of algae in a pool. 

This means that you can quickly and easily cut down on the amount of chemical treatments you have to use and on the struggle you’ll face getting your pool ready for the next swimming season. It protects your pool and helps you avoid a hassle next year.

Basically, adding a pool cover to your swimming pool when you begin closing your pool for the winter is one of the best steps you can take. Instead of dealing with the numerous problems that can come from not doing it or going through the headache of draining and refilling a pool – something that can often be very expensive – simply putting a quality cover on your pool will help you keep it safe and make sure that when the time comes to get it ready for next season that you have a fairly simple process.

It doesn’t take a lot of thought to decide that buying a swimming pool is the right move for your family, and in most cases people can decide on the actual pool they want pretty quickly as well.

However, figuring out which pool cover is right for them is often a challenge that they weren’t expecting. It seems easy enough to select a cover, but once you start looking at the different options it can be tricky. 

There are a few things to think about when you start shopping for a cover, and keeping a few points in mind could help you tremendously. For starters, be sure you shop somewhere that actually gives you options. There’s a big difference between different pool covers, and you need to find a store that really has plenty of options.

We offer such a wide variety of covers that it can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why taking the time to follow the other steps below is so important – one size doesn’t fit all and you need to get the one that is right for you. Once you start browsing, you need to keep in mind that there is a big difference between pool covers for in ground pools and for above ground ones. 

The sizes will be different, the edges that actually secure the cover over the pool will be different, and the overall design will be different. It’s a very obvious point, but it’s surprising how many people think they can buy a pool cover for a different kind of pool just because it’s on sale and have it work for their pool. Simply put, don’t make the mistake of buying a cover that isn’t designed for your type of pool. 

If you do it will be a purchase you immediately regret. Size matters when it comes to pool covers, and that’s the next thing you need to look at when you start shopping for yours. Our site makes it easy to understand pool shapes, sizes, and dimensions and to figure out which pool cover is the right fit for your pool.

It’s important to get the right cover. Many people have bought one that is too big for their pool, assuming that it’s better to be safe than sorry. In the case of covers, however, getting a good fit is important and just buying large and hoping for the best isn’t a good idea. Keep the size of your pool in mind when you buy the cover for it. Look into warranty information as well.

This helps show you the overall quality of the cover and tells you pretty much what to expect in terms of quality. To put it simply, if you see a cover with a good warranty, you’re probably looking at a good cover. Short 1 or 2 year warranties aren’t really worth that much and are more indicative of a lower quality cover.

Paying a bit more for a better cover is a good idea since you’re getting a quality investment for your money. Also, be sure that you consider specialty style covers. Pool safety covers are one example, and they’re designed to fit over a pool and provide an extra measure of protection and peace of mind. They’re available in a mesh or solid form and both are stretched tight over the pool and secured with anchors. 

Our pool safety covers meet the highest standards of safety and can hold 485 pounds per 5 square feet. You won’t have to worry as much about your kids or pets when you have a safety pool cover on your pool. Another style of specialty cover is a solar cover.

These are designed to capture the sun’s rays and help warm up the water in your pool quickly. While that seems like something that isn’t worth bothering with, think about the anticipation your family feels when spring rolls around and you get the pool ready. Then think about the shock on everyone’s face when they jump in for that first dip and find out the water still has that winter chill.

A solar cover helps speed up the warming process so you can enjoy your pool and can also help with cold weather related problems. Basically, keeping size, type of pool, and quality of the cover in mind will be enough to help you buy the swimming pool cover that is right for you and your family. There’s more to it than that, but in most cases those basic principles will be all you need to get a cover that will last you for years and protect your pool.

Buying a swimming pool cover is a good idea. When cooler weather starts to roll in, the time’s drawing close to shut down your pool for the year and adding a swimming pool cover to your shut down process will help save you money, reduce the time and energy you spend maintaining and opening the pool next year, and could even help give you peace of mind if you add a safety pool cover to the pool. 

But while deciding to use a pool cover isn’t hard to do, actually buying the right cover for your needs can be a little bit trickier. There are a lot of covers out there, and we want to make sure that you find the right cover quickly.

There are a few things to remember that will help you track down the perfect pool cover. To find the best pool cover for your pool, you need to learn a little more about them. Specifically, you need to understand the scrim number.

While you can take a look at the number of years covered under warranty to get a good indicator of quality, the scrim number is an actual figure that shows you how durable a cover is. It’s referring to the weave that is used during the manufacturing process, and to put it simply the higher the scrim number the better the cover will be. Size matters, and so does shape.

It’s obvious that finding the best fit for your pool is important, but buyers need to keep in mind the fact that some information out there and even some dealers will say that you can buy a cover that doesn’t really fit your pool. Buying a rectangular cover for a round pool, for example, or purchasing one that is larger than you need just to simplify the process, is often touted as a possibility when you’re shopping. 

But the fact is that while these covers may work, they won’t really provide the kind of fit that really has a major impact on your pool’s overall maintenance. Not only that, but buying a cover that doesn’t match your pool will actually void any warranty it holds. 

Speaking of warranties, it’s worth mentioning that whether you’re buying an above ground swimming pool cover or an in ground pool cover you should always think about the warranty. These covers are an investment for your pool that is designed to last for many years. Be sure to take a close look at the warranty so you can get the most from a cover.

Our covers come with great warranties to help let customers know they’re getting a great product. When you shop for a cover, be sure to keep all of these points in mind. If you do, you should have little trouble finding the perfect cover for your pool.

Basically, a swimming pool cover will help you keep your pool from turning into a lagoon over the fall and winter. A cover will simplify your maintenance, and these tips should help to simplify the search for the right pool cover.

If you’re like most people, your family’s swimming pool is one of the most important parts of your home. It doesn’t matter what size or what type of pool it is, either. Kids and adults appreciate having a place to relax, have fun, and escape from the heat. 

But a pool needs to be taken care of. That goes beyond things like chlorine and pool skimming. You need to invest in a quality swimming pool cover as well. While there are plenty of considerations to make when you start looking into your pool, one of the first things to think about is whether to go with a regular winter cover or a safety pool cover. 

Regular winter pool covers are just what they sound like. They’re designed to stretch over the pool and keep leaves and other debris from collecting in the pool. 

They’ll also help reduce algae growth since they block out most of the sun, and they can reduce the hazards of a pool since they prevent animals from trying to drink from the water. But in terms of a dog or a child falling into the pool, a regular winter cover won’t really be much of a safeguard.

Safety pool covers, on the other hand, are much different. These are designed to actually give parents peace of mind when they shut down their pools. Considering that drowning is the second leading cause of death for people between 1 and 14 years of age, covering your pool when you have kids is a good idea. Safety pool covers are rated to actually stand up to large amounts of weight. 

They’re available in a mesh or solid form, each of which will keep your family safe. Whether it’s the family pet or your toddler, they’re worth thinking about when it comes to protection.   Mesh safety pool covers are designed to allow water to drain into the pool. This way rain doesn’t puddle on the cover and weigh it down. They’re a little cheaper and will have a ten year guarantee or more in most cases.

Solid safety covers are similar, but they have a mesh drain panel in the middle of the cover or they can be solid and use a pump to keep the water off of the cover. Areas with heavy snow or with large amounts of debris are usually places where you need to go with mesh since the buildup of weight with a solid cover can cause a major problem and weaken the cover. 

Both types of safety pool covers connect to anchors that are located in certain points around the pool, and they allows homeowners to quickly and easily connect the cover to a fixed point and give it the high level of strength that it needs. 

The main question when deciding between safety covers or winter pool covers is really just what you need to keep safe. If you have children, a safety cover is probably worth the extra investment. Even if they’re strong swimmers, keep in mind that a slip on ice beside the pool could cause unconsciousness. 

No matter how strong the swimmer, having a pool cover that protects against drowning is important. If you don’t have kids or pets, then you may not really need to take the extra step of buying a safety cover. Unless, of course, you’re worried about your own safety when you go near the pool. 

One more thing that is worth keeping in mind concerning your pool cover is that no matter which type of cover you buy, don’t make the mistake of ordering a basic rectangular cover for your pool if it is a different shape. Some dealers will tell you that you can do so and save a bit of money, but they leave out the fact that buying these covers for a different type of pool will void the warranty. 

We make sure to offer a wide range of covers for anyone that needs them, so be sure to find the one that actually fits your pool perfectly instead of investing in a pool cover that won’t fit correctly.

When it comes to your swimming pool, the fun in the sun that it gives you will often be overshadowed by the responsibility that comes with it in the spring and fall. When you have to close down the pool for the year and reopen it when spring rolls back around, the process can take a good bit of effort. 

Pool owners have to balance the PH, keep chemical levels where they need to be, keep the filter and pump in good working order, and more. The battles against algae, dirt, debris, and more can be a huge pain as well. 

But whether you’re shutting down a pool for the fall and winter or getting it back to working order for spring and summer, Pool Covers make a huge amount of difference in simplifying the process.

That war against algae that you’re always fighting? Putting a pool cover on eliminates nearly all algae by blocking the sunlight. That means that you can keep your pool looking great, get the family in it quicker when warm weather comes back, and reduce the amount of money you spend on chemicals.

The same thing goes for debris, and by adding a swimming pool cover to your winter pool closing process you’ll be able to avoid the process of constantly skimming and cleaning the pool. Those leaves can cause big problems, and blocking them outright is a better way to manage the issue.

It doesn’t take much to see that adding covers to your pool closing process is a good call, but deciding which cover is the best will often be a bit trickier. Luckily, it’s easier than you think if you’ll just keep a couple of things in mind.

The obvious two things to keep in mind are the size and shape of your pool. Simply put, match up the size and shape of it with the right swimming pool cover. Some companies tell their customers that they can buy an oversized cover or a rectangular cover for their round or oval pool.

While it may technically cover the pool, doing this will usually mean that you void the cover’s warranty and that you don’t get the right level of performance from the cover.

Scrim numbers are important to take a look at as well, and are much more than just a funny sounding term. Basically, scrim refers to the weave that makes up the cover. A higher scrim number means a tighter weave, which in turn means a better quality, longer lasting, more durable swimming pool cover.

If you’re looking for quality when you buy your pool cover – and you should be – this number is one thing you’ll need to keep in mind during your purchase.

You may also need to decide between a safety cover and a regular one. The difference is just what it sounds like. A safety cover will give you peace of mind and protect your family and pets from falling into a pool. A standard cover will keep out dirt, debris, and sunlight but won’t prevent drowning.

If you’re tired of the huge amount of hassle that comes with closing down a pool or starting it up the next year, remember that taking a few minutes to order a swimming pool cover and install it on your pool at the end of the season could be enough to help eliminate some of that trouble. It’s a simple solution that really could help save you time, energy, and money when it comes to pool maintenance.