Pool Safety Cover Buyer's Guide
|
|
Time to read 4 min
|
|
Time to read 4 min
If you've never used a pool safety cover before, buying one may seem like a daunting task. A safety cover is not only an attractive pool cover for the winter months, but it serves a very important purpose, especially for households with children or pets. Once the safety cover is on the pool, you can rest assured that nothing — and no one — will fall into the water. Pools come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to know how to measure for a safety cover. There are also a few different styles of safety covers — mesh, solid, or a hybrid of the two. But what's the difference? Which safety cover is best for your pool? Keep reading to find out!
Finding a pool cover that fits your pool is the first step. Safety covers protect your pool during the winter by keeping water and chemicals in, and dirt and debris out. They also eliminate the chance that a child or pet might accidentally fall into the pool while unsupervised. A well-fitting safety cover is one of the most important purchases you can make for your pool, and Leslie’s can help you find the right one.
TIPS: An ill-fitting safety cover can do more harm than good. One that's too small leaves room for possible entrapment. On the flip side, a cover that's too large or isn't fitted properly can wear out prematurely, causing dangerous weak spots and/or rips along the pool ledge.
AMGO carries standard rectangular safety cover shapes, including safety covers with a center end step, left end step, or a right end step. If your pool doesn't quite fit that mold, we can help you order a custom safety cover. Non-typical shapes, large pools, or pools with unique features are all candidates for custom covers. To determine if you should purchase a standard or custom cover, ask yourself a few questions:
If you answered YES to all four questions, then your pool is the perfect candidate for a standard safety cover, which can be purchased easily online . If you answered NO to the first question because your pool has a side step, you may still be able to purchase your new safety cover online or in store . You'll just need to know the size of your pool to see what's available.
To know which size of safety cover you need, use a measuring tape to measure the length and width of your rectangular pool. If there is a step section that extends beyond the rectangle, measure that separately. Pool covers are sold according to pool size, and safety covers automatically include an overlap of about 1 foot on each side. For example, if you have a 14' x 28' rectangular pool, buy a cover labeled as a 14' x 28' cover. In reality, the cover you receive will be slightly larger, measuring 16' x 30'. This information is clearly stated in the product details to help ensure you're buying the correct one.
TIPS: If your pool already has a safety cover, but you're looking to replace it, verify the strap locations match your existing anchor placement. If they don't match up, you'll either need to consider a custom safety cover, or go through the hassle of setting new anchor points.
On the other hand, if you answered NO to any or all of the above questions, your pool will require a custom safety cover. Custom safety covers can be designed to fit any size or shape of pool, and can accommodate irregularities like walls, planters, slides, and water features.
Pool safety covers are available in mesh, solid, or hybrid. A hybrid cover is a solid cover with a mesh drain panel that combines the best of both worlds. Both solid and mesh materials have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Check out the pros and cons list below to determine which cover suits you and your pool best.
PROS
CONS
PROS
CONS
TIPS: Need to buy a pool cover pump? We have plenty to choose from to suit your pool's unique needs. Pumping capacity ranges widely, from 300 GPH (gallons per hour) all the way up to 3200 GPH. There are also manual or automatic models to allow greater control of how you use the pump.
Once you've determined if you need a standard or custom safety pool cover, and you've decided whether a mesh or solid safety cover would work better for your pool, you're ready to choose your cover! Certain covers are available in different color options, including blue, green, black, gray, and tan.