If you own a swimming pool in South Africa, then a pool cover is essential. Not only will they help to ensure the safety of family members and pets. They will also cut down on the costs of heating, filing, and cleaning your pool by keeping the water protected and insulated when the water is not in use.
The SABS (South African Bureau of Safety), required that all pool owners who have a pool that can hold water over 30cm in depth need to fit solid safety covers or a safety net. Your safety pool covers need to be fitted by a responsible and accredited party. You are also required to add a child-proof fence to restrict unsupervised access to the pool area.
So, how can you make sure you get the most from your money and pick a long-lasting solid pool cover which will be usable well past a single swimming season? Well, the key steps are as follows:
- Make sure you choose a durable, strong, and safe pool cover made up of high quality materials.
- Maintain and clean your pool safety cover to make sure it lasts as long as possible while remaining safe and secure.
How Long Do Swimming Pool Covers Last?
The answer to how long swimming pool covers last will depend on the quality of the product you have chosen. But if you have chosen a high-quality safety cover made of strong materials you can expect your cover to last for between five to ten years.
There are many different factors that can affect how long pool covers last including:
- Whether your summer or winter pool covers are exposed to harsh weather such as strong winds and heavy rainfall.
- How often you open and close safety and automatic pool covers.
- Whether the cover is exposed to a lot of dirt, grime, and debris.
- The level of sunlight exposure to the safety cover is subject to.
Even if you invest in the most expensive and high-quality safety covers made of the most resilient materials – all pool equipment will wear down over time. But durable and strong pool covers tend to last longer than the cheaper options on the market.
For this reason, automatically opting for the cheapest option when you pick a new cover can often be a false economy. Not only will a cover need to be replaced quicker, but you can find that they don’t retain heat or water levels as effectively.
And once you do invest in a safety cover, you need to make sure that you take the time to maintain the materials. This will also help you to save time and money in the long run.
Why is It Important to Maintain Your Pool Cover?
Making sure that your pool cover is properly maintained comes with a host of benefits that help you to keep your water clean and repair costs down. These benefits include:
Keep Water Evaporation Levels to a Minimum
The longer the water in your pool is exposed to the heat of the sun, the more it will evaporate and your water levels decrease.
Not only does this lead to increased costs as you replace the water, but you also run the risk of damaging pumps if water falls below an optimum height.
A secure pool cover with no tears or wear will help you to limit water evaporation by keeping your pool protected from the sunlight.
Limit the Dirt and Leaves That Make It Into Your Pool
If you maintain a safety cover without wear and tear, you will be able to limit the amount of dirt and debris which makes its way into the water. Not only will this lead to cleaner water to swim in, but it will also save you time in emptying the leaf collector as often.
Spend Less Money On Chlorine and Water Cleaning Products
A swimming pool cover that is made of thick and strong material and doesn’t have any tears will save you money by limiting the amount of chlorine and cleaning products you need to use.
Chlorine can degrade when exposed to UV light, so if the water is properly covered by swimming pool covers consumption levels will be lowered.
If a safety cover is worn through or leaves spots of water exposed to the sunlight you may find that you need to use more chlorine and water treatments than you used to and face extra cost as a result.
Secure Safety Covers Help You To Keep Your Water Warm
When your pool is left exposed to the elements overnight, it is only natural for the water temperature to have dropped the next morning.
A poorly maintained pool cover will allow the cold night air to enter the water and leave you facing extra cost when reheating the pool.
Fewer Maintenance Costs for Other Pool Accessories
A strong summer or winter pool cover will keep your pumps and filters protected, ensure that water is as clean as possible and limit the leaves and bacteria which can damage equipment. All of this will save you both time and money when it comes to enjoying the water and using the pool.
Spend Less Time Cleaning and More Time Swimming!
A secure and well-maintained pool cover means that you will be able to devote less time to tedious tasks such as cleaning out filters and vacuuming the pool floor.
This will leave you, your family, and your friends more time to enjoy yourself and make lasting memories during the swimming season.
How to Maintain Swimming Pool Covers
To make sure your swimming pool cover lasts as long as possible while remaining safe and secure you need to make sure you clean and maintain the material. Here are some of the steps you need to take to make sure your pool water remains secure and protected.
Don’t Let Rain Water Pool on the Cover
You need to remove water when it pools on a safety cover as soon as possible with a cover pump. Leaving water to sit on the cover will place extra weight and strain on the material and could lead to tears and damage.
Some solid safety covers will include design features that stop water from gathering in the center of the material. So, you may want to consider investing in one of these to save time and help prevent damage.
Clean and Remove Dirt As Often As Possible
Your solid safety cover will be durable and strong, but if you want it to last as long as possible you need to remove dirt and debris. You can gently remove dirt and leaves from covers using a pool broom or other cleaning equipment.
Examine and Check The Pool Material and Tracks
Checking safety covers every couple of weeks will help you to spot potential problems quickly and repair them before they lead to extra costs. Keep an eye out for small tears and damage that need to be dealt with before they become larger.
You also need to check the tracks of automatic covers and gently rinse away any trapped debris using a hose. This will help to make sure that safety covers can open and close properly without obstructions.
Retract Your Pool Cover Once A Week
Whether you use the pool that week or not, you still need to take the time to remove safety covers once a week. This will help to prevent the build-up of abrasive chemicals which could start ot harm the integrity of the cover.
Leave Your Swimming Pool Cover Open After Adding Cleaning Chemicals
After adding cleaning chemicals to your pool, you should make sure to leave the cover open for two hours at a minimum. This will prevent gases from being trapped under the cover, causing damage and affecting the safety of the pool.
During this time, you need to make sure to watch over the areas properly and make sure that no unattended children or pets are allowed near the water.
Make Sure The Safety Cover Housing is Clean and Grime Free
As well as keeping your vinyl and solid covers clean and well-maintained, you need to make sure to remove dirt and debris from the areas covers are housed in when open.
If you leave these areas uncleaned, then dirt and debris could transfer to safety covers and pool water causing more cleaning and safety issues.
How to Properly Inspect the Fabric of Swimming Pool Covers
Whether you have a brand new solar pool cover or an older safety net, you need to make sure you know when covers need to be replaced or repaired.
Make sure to check the pool cover fabric often. If there are signs of tears and damage you should make sure to repair these properly. If they are already large and hard to fix, then you may need to consider investing in a new pool cover.
Check for General Wear and Tear
As we have detailed above, there are many factors that can affect the durability and strength of even the most solid covers. Strong pool chemicals, harsh ultra violet light, and harsh weather can all damage the fabric.
So, you need to check for tears, cracks, and tweaking which may limit the effectiveness and safety of a cover.
Inspect the Stitching of Your Pool Cover
The covers for most pools include webbing and stitching which keep the different components together. You need to check the stitching regularly for disintegration and fraying which can harm the strength and safety of covers.
Directly Touch and Test the Fabric
It isn’t enough to just take a close look. Touch your vinyl or solar pool cover directly to check the quality of the fabric. The material should feel supple, strong, and pliable. If safety covers feel brittle, stiff, or weak in spots you may need to invest in a new cover or replace the fabric.
Check for Bunching Up of Fabric Around the Edges
A current or new cover can become damaged if the webbing starts to bunch up around the opening equipment and ropes. If left unrepaired, this can cause strains and rips in other parts of the fabric which are being stretched over the water.
Make Sure to Remove OBstructions From a Pool Cover
Make sure that you remove toys, other pool equipment, and towels from the cover when you are using them. Leaving these items on or close to an automatic cover can cause damage when you open or close the pool cover.
When Should You Replace Your Swimming Pool Cover?
If you discover tears or wear, this doesn’t mean you automatically need to buy a new pool cover. If the damage is small enough, then simple patching may be enough to solve the problem before it gets bigger.
However, if you find substantial damage or a tear that is larger than six inches, then it may be impossible to continue to protect your pool with your current cover. At this point, you need to think about investing in a new pool cover that will ensure the safety of your loved ones and continue to save you money in the long term.
Why is it Important to Use a Swimming Pool Cover Pump to Maintain the Lifespan of the Pool Cover?
Using a swimming pool cover pump purposefully is crucial for preserving the lifespan of your pool cover. This device effectively removes excess water from the cover, preventing damage caused by excessive weight or prolonged exposure to moisture. By utilizing a swimming pool cover pump, you can ensure that your pool cover remains intact, prolonging its usability and protecting your investment.
Which Swimming Pool Types Are Best for Using a Pool Cover?
When considering swimming pool options for your property, it’s important to choose a pool type that is compatible with a pool cover. Generally, in-ground pools with a solid surface like concrete or fiberglass make excellent candidates for pool covers. These covers provide safety, reduce evaporation, and help maintain water temperature. Above-ground pools, on the other hand, may not be as suitable due to their structure and shape. Investing in a pool cover is a wise decision to protect your pool and enhance its longevity.
Where to Find Durable and Long-Lasting Safety Pool Covers in South Africa
For more information and advice about picking the best durable safety covers to protect your pool, contact Designer Pool Covers now. Our experts will talk you through the best pool cover options for you and provide you with a high-quality and long-lasting safety, vinyl, or automatic pool cover that will last for years to come.
