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The Daily Insight

How much should a pool cover cost

Author

William Cox

Published Apr 21, 2026

Cover TypeCostSafety (solid)$500 – $1,000Solar$0*

How much does it cost to put in a pool cover?

Cover TypeCostSafety (solid)$500 – $1,000Solar$0*

How can I cover my pool cheaply?

The cheapest way to cover an inground pool is still with a tarp and something like water bags to keep it in place. Most people use water bags, I would highly recommend keeping enough cinder blocks around for the job. Otherwise you will end up with the job of dealing with a slimy box of water bags in the fall.

Are pool covers worth the money?

If a warm pool is a must-have for you, a pool cover can help to significantly reduce your heating bills. It’s not just leaks or excess splashing that cause a drop in your swimming pool water level. … Installing a pool cover will reduce your water loss that occurs when the pool isn’t in use.

What is the life expectancy of a pool cover?

The Swimming Pool Cover The average lifespan of a swimming pool cover is about 7 years and it may need replacement after 7 years.

Can you walk on pool covers?

If a pool cover is durable and is installed properly, it can hold a considerable weight and therefore it is enough to be walked on, if necessary. … Any openings in the pool cover should be too small for any objects to pass through, and that they are strong enough to resist any attempts to pass through.

What kind of pool cover do I need?

  • A standard (tarp) winter cover costs $75–$225. It needs a pump on top, keeps out sunlight and light debris, and lasts 1–3 seasons.
  • A mesh security cover costs $1,200–$3,000. …
  • A solid (vinyl) security cover costs $1,200–$3,000. …
  • An automatic cover costs $5,000–$15,000.

Should a pool cover touch the water?

The cover is designed to touch the surface of the water. So your pool should always be filled when covered, and the water level should never go below 18 inches from the top of the pool. Check the water level of the pool and fill it up if it goes below 18 inches.

Should I cover my pool every night?

Covering a heated swimming pool at night will reduce heat loss. … For a swimming pool that relies on the sun for heat, covering it at night can still make it warm enough to swim in the next day, instead of losing all the heat overnight when the temperatures drop.

Should you cover your pool everyday?

Having patrons in the water during the day may reduce this effect, but an uncovered pool will still lose water during the night. Place a cover over your pool after hours to block excess heat from the surface of the water. … Over time, this will reduce your water bill so you can reinvest in other areas of pool management.

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What can I use instead of a pool cover?

An obvious solution is to cover the pool when it’s not in use to keep out foreign material, but custom-made swimming pool covers can be quite expensive. An alternative option, much less expensive, is to use a large plastic or vinyl tarp, secured at the corners with tent stakes and bungee cords.

How do I shade my pool?

  1. Shade Sails. …
  2. Pergolas. …
  3. Retractable Shade Canopies. …
  4. Umbrellas. …
  5. Cantilevers. …
  6. Retractable Enclosures. …
  7. Freestanding Canopies. …
  8. Shade Pergolas.

How long do inground pool covers last?

Mesh Pool Covers for Home and Commercial Use Mesh inground pool covers can last up to 15 years when cared for. This gives them a slight advantage over vinyl covers. You won’t need to use a submersible pump on top of a mesh cover, because any rainwater will easily be able to penetrate the material.

What is a solid pool cover?

Solid vinyl security cover for an inground pool Along with keeping sunlight out, solid vinyl covers keep water out of the pool as well. This allows the pool water to stay much cleaner. This cleaner water usually leads to very little brushing, vacuuming, chemicals, etc., in the spring to get the pool swimmable.

How can I make my pool cover last longer?

  1. Use water tubes. …
  2. Patch the cover. …
  3. Clean the track of debris so it does not tear the cover. …
  4. Keep the inground vault free of debris. …
  5. Lubricate the machinery. …
  6. Check the water level of your pool.

How do you know when you need a new pool cover?

Peeling and weak spots on the cover are common, and may be responsible for water and other unwanted things, such as contaminates and debris, seeping through the surface. New pool cover fabric is often malleable and supple. If you touch the fabric and feel it to be stiff and brittle, it may be time to replace it.

Are pool covers safer than fences?

POOL SAFETY COVERS Even safer than a safety pool fence is a safety pool cover. … Automatic pool covers are also a super safe pool barrier because they cover the pool itself, not just the area around the pool. They also save heat loss and prevent evaporation, while keeping the pool clean!

What is a hybrid pool cover?

A special proprietary material, hybrid mesh blocks up to 98% of sunlight preventing algae from accumulating in pool water. All hybrid mesh covers retain the same lightweight and flexible properties from standard covers but provides your swimming pool with superior protection against intrusive sunlight.

How much weight can pool covers hold?

The official standard states, “In the case of a pool with a width or diameter greater than 8 ft. from the periphery, the cover shall be able to hold a weight of 485 lbs. (2 adults and 1 child) to permit a rescue operation.” In certain unusual circumstances, the weight may be even greater.

How does an automatic pool cover work?

It consists of a series of some interlocking gears. When you switch on the system, the gears become activated and they will automatically start spinning the heavy aluminum tube. Hence, the pool cover will also start rolling on or off the pool to cover or uncover it.

How does a pool safety cover work?

Safety covers are woven mesh or solid vinyl which secures to your pool deck with straps to anchors. The straps are approximately five feet apart around the entire perimeter of your pool. Safety covers prevent accidental drownings and also provide extra protection for kids, pets, and neighbors.

Does a pool cover cause algae?

Cover Your Pool Not only is a pool cover a barrier to algae entering the pool, it’s also a barrier to leaves, bugs, bacteria, and dirt from entering the pool, decomposing, and providing the nourishment that helps algae to thrive.

Should you cover an outdoor pool?

One of the main reasons that we would recommend getting a swimming pool cover, is that it retains the swimming pool heat, thus retaining energy and reducing the overall running costs. Most of a pools heat is lost through the surface of the water. If the pool is uncovered this will make its way into the air.

Does covering pool make warmer?

Insulating the Pool Water from Heat Loss Air bubbles in the pool cover act as an insulator in a similar way that your thermos would keep water warm. A pool cover will, therefore, keep your pool water warmer for longer.

Can you run pump with pool cover on?

It is safe to run the pool pump and filter with a swimming pool cover on. The pool cover doesn’t in any way stop or hinder the pool pump from circulating the water or carrying out its function. … On the other hand, the pool cover is used to protect the pool from contaminants and debris that may fall into the pool water.

What is the purpose of a pillow in a pool?

Air Pillows are a winter closing essential for aboveground pools in colder climates. This rugged vinyl air pillow absorbs the pressure of freezing and thawing to protect the cover and walls of your pool. When your pool water freezes, the Air Pillow compresses to relieve pressure on your pool walls.

Why is there holes in my pool cover?

For safety reasons; if someone should end up under the pool cover, air will come in through the holes. These small holes prevent a large pool of water from getting on the pool cover. The rainwater then runs away from the side and not through the holes in the pool water. …

Why you shouldn't cover your pool?

Pool Closing Mistake 1: Skipping the Pool Cover For one thing, an uncovered pool will become a catch-all for leaves and debris. Those leaves will spend all winter stewing away in the bottom of your pool. In the spring, you’ll be welcomed with a nasty, sludgy mess.

Should you cover pool when raining?

When preparing your pool for a storm, leave it uncovered. Installing any kind of cover across the pool will not do much to protect against dust and contaminants because storms often bring strong winds and heavy rain that can cause the cover to lift off your pool.

Do pool covers prevent algae?

Cover Up. Since most algae spores get into the pool from rain, wind, and dirt, one of the best ways to prevent algae growth in your pool is to cover it as often as possible. This helps keep algae spores out as well as bacteria and other nourishment that algae thrives on.

Will bubble wrap heat a pool?

Yes but the life span of bubble wrap is short lived because of deterioration cause by the sun and pool chemicals. A commercial pool blanket cover is basically industrial strength bubble wrap. It will not only heat the pool from the suns rays but will also serve as an insulator at night.