A cover can save water, reduce heat loss and keep out leaves & debris
A pool and spa cover performs a multitude of tasks. Stopping evaporation and keeping the pool and spa clean are the most obvious. They can keep out the dirt, dust, airborne micro-organisms and even the sunlight that promotes algal growth. Some covers can actively warm the pool while others aid in heat retention.
SAVING WATER
All covers will significantly reduce evaporation and are highly recommended.
KEEPING IT CLEAN
In Winter, high winds can blow debris into the pool and in Autumn, leaves from overhanging trees can fall into an uncovered pool.
Almost all covers and blankets will help keep debris out of the pool. Mesh covers are specifically designed for this purpose. Mesh allows rain water to pass through while leaves and other debris are trapped. Mesh covers are lightweight, strong and held in place by anchor ropes.
BUBBLE BLANKETS
The most common pool covers are blankets of tiny, transparent bubbles that are designed to trap sunlight and warm the pool. At night a floating bubble blanket also reduces evaporation thereby reducing heat loss and chemical consumption.
Because bubble blankets are regularly moved on and off the pool, a roller is very useful.
Once on the roller, the solar efficiency of bubble blankets is so great, they need to be covered if they’re out in the sun to stop them from overheating.
THERMAL BLANKETS
Thermal blankets are designed to insulate the pool overnight by reducing evaporation and convection heat loss. They can reduce pool heating time and costs by reducing the time it takes to reheat a pool in the morning.
Less evaporation also saves water and chemical consumption. It can also reduce condensation on indoor pools. They are not as thick as a bubble blanket, but a roller is still required.
SLAT COVERS
The latest covers are made up of slats that roll out onto the pool surface, very much like a horizontal garage roller door. When fully extended across the pool, the slats lock together to form a barrier that can support the weight of a small child or a small pet.
Another variation achieves much the same result using a sturdy material supported by metal rods at regular intervals. Being thermal insulators, both these options also operate like a thermal blanket, in that they reduce overnight heat loss and evaporation.
Slatted covers are usually installed during construction. They are built into an underground pit at one end of the pool and appear and disappear through a slot that is the full width of the pool. They can also be retro-fitted on existing pools.
