Having a pool at home, whether it's an inground or an above-ground pool, is a real pleasure during the hot summer days. However, this investment requires regular maintenance to ensure its durability and cleanliness. Pool maintenance includes not only filtration and chlorine regulation but also water heating and pool protection.
The pool cover is a perfect solution for this. There are a variety of covers available depending on your needs and the season. For example, the bubble cover is ideal during the summer. In addition to protecting the water from dirt, this solar cover uses the sun's energy to help heat the water, thereby saving on the pool heating costs.
For the winter, a winter cover is essential. It protects your pool from the bad weather (dead leaves, animals, etc.). Meanwhile, the all-season cover is a versatile solution that offers optimal protection throughout the year.
As for the bar cover and the safety cover, they play a crucial role in ensuring safety around the pool, especially for households with young children or pets.
The use of a cover reel greatly facilitates the laying and removal of the cover. The cover's attachment, achieved through anchoring and tensioners, ensures a secure attachment, preventing the wind or other elements from moving the cover.
Thus, pool covers are classified into two main categories: summer covers and winter covers.
- Summer covers are primarily used during beautiful days. They help maintain the water's temperature when the pool is not in use, optimizing swimmer comfort. Summer covers prevent dust and dead leaves from polluting the water, reducing the frequency of cleaning.
- The bubble cover, or solar cover, has specific features. Polyethylene is the most common material for its manufacture. The bubble cover is made of two layers trapping air. It allows the pool water to be heated thanks to the heat accumulated in this air layer. The water temperature of the covered pool is about 5°C higher than that of a pool left in the open air. This summer covering is pressed onto the water by the suction effect.
- Bubble covers can be rolled up and deployed using a reel installed on one side of the pool, or fixed to the coping with tensioners. However, the cover reel remains the optimal solution in terms of practicality. Dark-colored models limit the growth of mold and algae.
- Winter covers are used in cold weather to protect the pool's lining, whether it's tile or a liner. Their use facilitates the restart in the spring.
- Winter covers also have some characteristics common to summer covers. They are made of PVC. They are heavy but not intended to be handled frequently. They must be securely fixed to withstand winter constraints, including the weight of snow. While some pool covers are fixed to the coping using eyelets, others are held in place by aluminum bars. The cover's anchoring can also be achieved with tensioners passing between the cover's eyelets and rings fixed on the coping.
- Winter covers are opaque to prevent photosynthesis conducive to algae proliferation.
- They are equipped with a rainwater drainage system to avoid weighing them down.
- Their lifespan can exceed 10 years if properly maintained.
Using a pool cover facilitates pool maintenance while extending its lifespan. The dimensions must be adapted to the pool. It also optimizes swimmer comfort. Safety covers must comply with the NF-P 90-308 standard. Their use exempts from installing an alarm.
There are also alternatives to pool covers, such as the pool shutter, which can be automatic or manual, or the pool net that offers some protection while allowing some air circulation.
No matter the option chosen, a protective cover is a necessary investment for any pool. Not only does it extend the life of your pool, but it also ensures a more enjoyable, safer, and cleaner swimming experience.
Learn more
- How to measure the dimensions of a bubble cover
- How to choose a pool cover?
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