Different Types Of Winter Debris Covers For Pools

Winter Debris Covers for swimming pools help to keep the pool clean over the Winter close down period. If you can prevent dirt and debris, such as leaves entering the pool it makes it much easier to open the pool in the Spring. A pool which has been "put to bed" properly in the Autumn is much easier and cheaper to get going again.

A range of winter debris covers are available to suit different applications and budgets.

To start with the most basic is the water bag cover used on in ground pools. This consists of little more than a tarpaulin stretched over the pool, but not sagging in to it, and secured in place with water bags around the perimeter. Although this cover is usually cheap, it is often unsuitable because the water bags are insufficient to keep it in place for a long period of time. These type of covers are often supplied with little or no drainage. Rainwater accumulates in the centre of the cover, until the weight causes it to collapse into the pool. It then takes all the built up rubbish with it.

A much better alternative is the mesh winter cover. Like the water bag cover this is also suspended over the pool, but has much more secure fixings. Straps from the cover are attached to stainless steel fixings which are drilled into the pool surround. These fixings make for a much more secure cover. The mesh fabric acts as a large filter, keeping out all of the dirt, but letting the rainwater through into the pool. It is possible to manufacture a cover to suit virtually any shape. The spacings between the straps will depend on the size and shape of the cover. More straps and at closer intervals, will be put on to the cover for more highly shaped or large covers. This makes it more expensive.

A "solid" cover is a large sheet of heavy duty pvc. These are usually secured either with stainless steel fittings in the same way as the mesh cover, or with aluminium bars. These are very effective and often sold as safety covers, as access to the pool is very difficult. Unfortunately this same access problem makes the cover difficult to move when covering and uncovering the pool. This cover is also considerably more expensive than the mesh ones.

Genuinely solid covers are available which are made using a slatted, rigid PVC. These covers float on the surface of the water, creating an impermeable seal, and will take the weight of an adult. Although these covers are by far the most expensive option, they are safety covers that can be used during the summer too.

Whichever cover you opt for it is important to measure the pool correctly. The manufacturer needs to know the exact pool size in order to allow for a good overlap. This prevents dirt from blowing in underneath. Many winter covers have wear protection sewn or welded in to the design on corners and sharp edges, so the manufacturer needs to know the exact size and shape in order to position these correctly. Slatted covers need to be sized exactly. If it is too big it will not fit between the pool walls, and if too small will not be supported correctly on the edges.


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Francis Lowe is a leading expert in swimming pool maintenance with a huge wealth of experience developed from 40 years in the industry.
To see a full range of pool equipment, including swimming pool covers and solar covers please see the website of specialist supplier poolwarehouseuk.com