Category Archives: Swimming Pools & Spas

10 Reasons for using a safety pool cover

There are many types of pool covers available today. However, all pool covers are not safety pool covers. They are the type that are securely fastened down to the pool deck. The covers can be made of mesh fabric or solid fabric. Most important, they must be a certified ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials International) pool cover. The following ASTM standard requirements must be met to be certified as a “safety pool cover”.

  • Must be tested and updated regularly by a recognized 3rd party agency like Underwriters Laboratories.
  • Will have a working drainage system. This can include mesh drain panels or automatic pumps for solid fabric covers.
  • Cannot have any holes, tears or abrasions that could weaken the fabric.
  • Must be able to hold a weight of at least 485lbs (the estimated average weight of 2 adults and one child) to permit rescue operation.
  • Must demonstrate that any opening is sufficiently small and strong enough to prevent the test object being passed through. This is the Perimeter Deflection test.
  • Labeling requirements must include basic consumer information such as the warranty information, the appropriate warnings as described in the standard and acknowledge the product as a safety cover.

1) Safety of small children and animals is the main reason for a safety pool cover, reducing the chance of an accidental drowning.

Many states require that swimming pools must be enclosed in a fenced in area. Safety Covers may be a safer way to prevent a possible accidental drowning or injury. A fence is a barrier between the pool and someone outside of the fenced in area. The safety pool cover is a barrier on the pool itself. Again, the safety pool cover must be properly installed with no water build up on the cover. 

2) Keeps leaves and debris out of the pool.

Keeping your pool open all year, you should know all about the leaves and debris that collect in your pool. Debris can blow underneath a winter pool cover that is held down with water tubes or other weights. Usually less trash and debris will get under a safety pool cover since it is attached to the pool deck.

3) They block light to help reduce algae growth.

Depending on the fabric of the covers, they can block from 75 to 100 percent of the light from the pool water. By stopping the light, this will reduce the chance of algae growth.

4) Not as much chemicals are needed. Can reduce the pool chemicals usage by up to 60%.

Since the pool safety cover blocks as much light as they do, this will reduce the cost for chemicals. Close your pool with the proper amount of chemicals and then you will not add any more until the spring. If you kept your pool open all year, you would continue to spend money on chemicals.

5) Save water while reducing pool water evaporation.

Even during cold weather, a covered or uncovered pool will experience evaporation. However, with the safety pool covers blocking the sun from the pool water will experience less evaporation. Less evaporation will result in less water usage.

 6) Can help maintain the temperature of the pool water.

Safety covers are not used to warm up the water temperature of the pool water. But if your pool is heated, the safety pool cover can help keep the water temperature warmer than without one. There are solar pool covers that help maintain the water temperature by floating on the water of the pool. BUT SOLAR COVERS ARE NOT TO BE USED AS A SAFETY POOL COVER.

7) Less maintenance when using a safety pool cover.

Cleaning and vacuuming are not needed while the pool is covered. You are not testing and adding chemicals to the water regularly. Brushing the sides is not necessary when you are using your safety pool cover. You won’t have to fish out the toys or other objects since the cover will not allow them to enter the pool.

8) Safety pool covers save you money.

Safety pool covers save money by reducing the chemicals, water, electricity and possibly gas if the pool is heated. All of these utilities or commodities cost money. Pool service companies charge to maintain pools while they are open.

9) Save time from maintenance of an uncovered pool

Time is a precious commodity, so why waste it on maintaining a pool during the winter months. When a pool is properly covered using a pool cover, time is freed up for other activities. Other than keeping the water pumped off the top of the solid safety covers, it is practically maintenance free.

10) Add value to your home with a safety pool cover.

With the investment of this type of cover, security and value are added to your home. The safety issue alone adds peace of mind and value to any home with a pool.

Repair/Replace Safety Pool Cover

Damaged Safety Cover Small
MightyCovers.com’s Repair or Replace Safety Pool Cover Program is a great program for pool owners who already have a safety pool cover with existing anchors in their decking. Whether your cover has been damaged or it is old and needs to be replaced due to old age. We can repair or duplicate your existing safety pool cover using it as a template so that your new cover will match the existing anchors. Safety Cover Repair will extend the life of your cover. We offer a great Repair or Replace Safety Pool Cover program to provide you with this service. The best part is that the shipping is FREE!! Just simply fill out the form and fax it back to us. Repair/Replace Safety Cover Shipping Box Request Form  We will send you a box for shipping your cover back along with a PREPAID return label! That’s right, WE pay the shipping BOTH WAYS! All you have to do is remove the hardware from your cover (springs and buckles),  place your cover into the provided box, tape it up and place the prepaid UPS shipping label on it and take it to a local UPS shipping outlet. When we receive the cover we will inspect the needed repairs and e-mail you a quote on the repair/replacement. If you elect to have the repairs done, you will at that time provide us with your credit card information in order to pay for it. If you decide that you do not want your cover repaired or replaced at this time we will ship it back to you AT NO CHARGE TO YOU.  That’s right, we pay the freight to have it picked up and shipped back. Don’t throw away your hard-earned money on a new company if your old cover is repairable. Another great thing is if your cover is not repairable, we can provide you with a replacement cost. The benefit of this is that your old cover can be duplicated so you will have EXACT STRAP PLACEMENT. No having to re-drill anchors!    

Knowing your Swimming Pool Covers – Three Types to Know


Winter and Safety Pool Covers

Swimming pool owners have a lot of fun in their pools, but also have a bit of responsibility to contend with as well. The simple fact is that once you own a pool you’ll quickly have to learn all about pH levels, pool chemicals, skimming, pump and filter maintenance, pool vacuums, and more. One area that you’ll also have to quickly learn about is that of swimming pool covers. There are a few different types of pool covers and while it’s a relatively easy subject to understand it is still a good idea to learn the differences each type of cover has. Each one has strengths and weaknesses, and each one accomplishes different things.

 

The first is just a Winter pool cover. A winter swimming pool cover fits over your pool and works to protect it in a few ways. It will stop leaves and other debris from falling into the pool, which is the primary benefit of one of these covers. But along with that, it can reduce the amount of sunlight entering a pool’s waters which will reduce the chemicals needed for maintenance over the fall and winter. It can also reduce animal related issues by eliminating the opportunity for animals to drink from the pool. The pool cover stretches over the swimming pool and is held in place by weighted bags along the perimeter of the pool. The main drawback of a winter swimming pool cover is safety – it won’t stop a child or pet from falling into the pool.

 

Safety pool covers are just what they sound like. They take the winter pool cover to another level and provide safety for your family. These pool covers fit over the pool like a basic winter cover would, but they feature straps that cross over the cover and attach to anchor points installed around the perimeter of the pool. These anchor points and straps give the cover the added strength it needs to prevent accidental drowning. Safety pool covers provide all the protection from leaves and debris that a standard cover does, only with the added element of safety. There are only two disadvantages to these covers. The first is that they’re a bit more expensive than a standard cover due to their higher quality and extra components. The second is that they’re a little more complex to install. The straps must be connected adjusted properly, and it’s usually a little easier to install with two or three people.

 

Finally, there are solar pool covers. These provide an entirely different type of service to a swimming pool owner. They don’t block the sun, don’t protect against falling debris, and won’t stop accidental drowning from occurring. What they’re used for, however, is warming up your water. They can speed up the process of opening up your pool and can extend the summer swimming season well into fall. Solar covers, sometimes called solar blankets, can actually increase water temperatures by as much as fifteen degrees. They’re relatively inexpensive as well. The disadvantage here is obvious, and it’s that beyond warming the water they don’t really help with anything else.

 

There are a couple of other accessories worth knowing about as well. The first is a pool cover ‘pillow’. These inflate with air and go underneath the pool cover. They’re not designed to help shed water, but instead actually reduce damage done to your pool walls during a hard freeze. They’re effective in an in ground pool as well as in an above ground pool, and well worth adding to your shut-down routine. The other accessory is a leaf net. This net is basically another type of cover that lies on top of your primary cover. Once the fall leaves have completely left the trees

Closing Your Pool – The Importance of the Pool Cover

Winter and Safety Pool CoversThe 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.

A Guide to Buying a Pool Cover

Custom Safety Pool Cover

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.

Tips for Finding Your Pool Cover – Things to Know

Rayner Mesh Safety Covers

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.

Safety Pool Covers or Winter Pool Covers?

Solid Safety 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.

Closing Down the Pool – Don’t Forget The Pool Cover

Solid Safety Pool Cover

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.

Leaves, Covers and Your Swimming Pool

Winter Pool Cover

Almost everyone enjoys hanging out at the pool, and swimming pool owners are incredibly lucky to have access to so much fun and relaxation in their backyard. But one thing that can ruin a pool quickly is unsanitary conditions. And while chemicals, filters, and skimming tools all help keep a pool clean there’s no doubt that a pool cover is important as well. Not only that, but most will agree that leaves are among the biggest issue that a swimming pool owner can deal with once the hot summer months dwindle into the fall.

There are plenty of swimming pool owners out there who don’t bother covering their pool at all. They simply add chemicals to their pool when needed over the fall and winter, skim out leaves and debris as needed, and then open up the pool the next spring. Maybe they don’t think that a cover is a good investment, that it’s just a purchase they don’t have to make since it’s not vital to their swimming pool’s regular operation.

Of course, these are usually the same pool owners who spend hours out of their day fighting leaves, cursing about algae growth, hoping their pool doesn’t turn into a frog pond, and then investing a day or more in getting the pool ready for use in the spring. If you’re one of these owners, or are a new pool owner and don’t want to fall into the same problems that these owners face, buying a pool cover is a simple solution.

A huge number of problems with a swimming pool over the fall and winter come from leaves, even if pool owners don’t realize it at the time. The obvious problem is that leaves can clog a pump system, damage the filter, and more. That can cost you a huge amount of money on its own, and makes a strong case for investing in a good pool cover. And when you think about how long it can take to get those leaves out, the case becomes even clearer. Sure, a net and a skimmer will work, but it can take a long, long time to get those leaves out. And with time being so precious these days, why would you want to battle with leaves when you could just put a cover on a pool and be done with it?

Another area that leaves impact is the color of your pool’s water. Yes, we’re talking now about algae growth. Left unchecked, algae can take over a pool and turn it into an emerald lagoon. It may be somewhat pretty to look at, but nobody really wants to go for a dip in it. Sunlight is one of the key catalysts for algae growth, but the breakdown of plant matter within your pool will cause algae, mold, and other issues to grow quickly. By keeping leaves out, you’ll be keeping the green out. And of course, the cover blocks out the sun as well and thus stops algae growth as well.

Leaves can also attract critters that you don’t want. Add some plant matter to a pool of water and quickly you’ll start noticing frogs, bugs, and even snakes on the surface. If you don’t want your pool to turn into a giant Petri dish for bacteria, microbes, and slithering, creeping critters, covering it up is a good idea.

Basically, leaves can have a bigger impact on your swimming pool than you probably realize. Unless you’ve got days to waste skimming and removing them as they drop off the trees, putting a cover on the pool is a better idea. And taking it a step further and adding a leaf net to the top of your swimming pool cover will help even more. Either way, don’t wage a war that you don’t have to fight. Adding a swimming pool cover simplifies the entire process of pool maintenance, and stops the fight against leaves before it even starts. And if you want an easy way to remove leaves from on top of the cover, lay a leaf net over the cover and the leaves can be easily removed.

Winter Pool Cover Accessories – A Closer Look

Winter Pool Accessories

Closing down your swimming pool for the season is a process that requires several steps and more than a couple of tools. Among the most important things you’ll need to use is a quality winter pool cover. When it comes to keeping out debris, light, and more, a winter pool cover is one part of the shutdown process you simply can’t ignore. But while it’s fairly easy to track down the right pool cover, it’s important to take a look at all the different accessories that accompany your pool cover. Take a few minutes to find the right pool cover accessories and you could have a much easier time where your seasonal shutdown, maintenance, and spring startups are concerned.

To begin with, take a look at the different cover accessories that actually help your cover get in place and stay in place. For above ground pool covers, these include things like cover locks and cover clips. These essentially clamp your pool cover to the pool itself and are much better options than older drawstring methods of sealing up a pool cover. A winter cover seal is another option worth taking a look at and can be installed by one person. It basically wraps around the seal and prevents wind from slipping underneath the cover and damaging it. And replacement cable cover wench systems are also available to make it easy to pull your cover tight and keep it that way.

Bags, tubes, and pillows are important as well. An air pillow placed underneath your pool cover will help make it easy to drain standing water and to prevent it from collecting in the first place, and can also help to reduce the damage that freezing temperatures can do on your swimming pool walls. As the water freezes, it expands. In pools this can cause damage to the walls since they’ll have huge pressure against them. But a pillow actually reduces that pressure by absorbing the force of the expansion. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to prevent pool damage. Water tubes are used to help weight down your in ground swimming pool cover and are designed to be easily filled by a garden hose. They’re available in different sizes, making it easy to find the one that you need for your pool.

One hurdle that pool owners constantly have to clear is standing water. When it rains or snows, the water can collect on your winter pool cover and cause it to sag tremendously. In some cases a mesh cover will eliminate the problem, but for the rest of us there are other options. One is a siphon drain. This item is basically a tube connected to a plastic collector. The collector is placed in the standing water and the siphon motion is started. Once it’s started the water will drain gradually out of the pool cover and onto the ground.

The other option is an actual pump. These are set up to pump the water that is pooling in a swimming pool cover and eliminate sag, damage, and more. They’re more expensive than a simple siphon device, but much easier to set up and use and will really be an investment that can protect a winter swimming pool cover and extend its longevity.

All of these accessories are worth understanding when you’re a pool owner. Most people know fully what a winter pool cover can do for their pool, but don’t realize what accessories can do for the cover itself. Take a minute to double check what you have and what you need, and you could find yourself very surprised about what you’ve found.