Both inground and above ground swimming pools can benefit from mesh covers; they save a great deal of time, energy and pool maintenance costs as well as preventing accidents with serious consequences. There are a number of different types of pool covers including, mesh covers for leaves and debris, safety covers, winter covers and solar covers. All these covers are made from different materials to suit their intended use; the material can be a very loose weave mesh or solid polyethylene. These covers are available in a range of different sizes to fit most pools.
Mesh covers which catch leaves and flying debris can be used on top of winter or solar covers; they are light, open mesh material which allows rain water to pass through. The objective of the mesh cover is to keep debris from accumulating on the protective cover. When the leaf cover is removed, there is less chance of debris ending up in the pool when the main protective cover is taken off. The removal of wet leaves also makes the removal of the heavier cover more manageable.
Safety covers are used to prevent accidental drowning. Safety covers are also made of mesh but the weave is much tighter or they are solid polypropylene. This cover is held firmly in place by straps which are anchored beyond the pool deck, the cover is quite taut when installed properly, it must be taut enough to stop a person from sinking into the pool should he or she accidently fall.
Many people close their pool for the winter months and install a winter pool cover. This makes preparing the pool the following season much easier. These winter covers prevent the growth of algae, the entry of debris and the pool water freezing over. Prior to pulling the cover taut, the pool is filled with air pillows which float under the cover. The cover is pulled tight by a winch; the cable is pulled through a series of grommets in the cover.
The least expensive pool cover is a solar cover; they are most often used on above ground pools and can raise the water temperature considerably. With its ability to raise the temperature to a more comfortable level, the cost of heating the pool is considerably reduced.
