What You Need To Know About Automatic Pool Covers

If you’re in a location that sees a lot of sun then a swimming pool could be the perfect addition to your backyard! And, why not make your life easier by also installing an Automatic Pool Cover? They have been designed and manufactured to provide protection, convenience, and enjoyment for pool owners. Existing pools can be retrofitted with automatic swimming pool covers providing that the tracks can be laid out properly. The two biggest benefits are that they work better than solar covers and they offer safety against someone accidentally falling in. They also help keep leaves and debris out of the pool, saving you time on maintenance. Pool Companies out to there today sometimes just sell customers any automatic pool cover they carry because the customer wanted to include one. Or the pool company salesman may try to sell it by adding it to your pool “package”. Regardless, you should always take the time to educate yourself on any pool products you are buying. Especially when it comes to safety or protection type equipment like Automatic Pool Covers. So here is some information to keep in mind if you are looking to purchase Automatic Pool Covers.

Cost:

As with anything, cost will vary on the type and brand of Automatic Pool Cover. You get what you pay for and sometimes you don’t even get that. However, on average you will most likely be in the range of $5,000 to $15,000. Many pool owners think that the cost for their pool will be in the $5,000 or less range for an Automatic Pool Cover, but in reality most people spend around $10,000 and $12,000. This range reflects a more realistic number that you should expect to be spending. Especially if you want a cover that matches your decking. If it doesn’t match, you can always research “Concrete Pool Deck Resurfacing” and find a design that will work with your new covers. If your pool is not a true rectangle then you will have tracks that mount on top of the decking of your pool. These tracks can be toe-stubbers, and can be visually annoying. The cheaper Automatic Pool Covers mount on top of your deck can be in the range of $7,000 to $10,000, not including electrical hook up. The Drill or Manual Pool Covers are top mount and usually run between $5,000 to $7,000. You might not have a decking in which case, perhaps it’s a good idea to invest in some. You can browse through the custom decks in Colorado Springs or in whichever location, to see what would suit your garden and your pool best.

Now here is a little point/counter-point to consider before you make your purchase:

The Good:

• Some Cities/Counties Allow Automatic Pool Covers In Place Of A Safety Fence – Check with your state, city and county offices first before ripping out your fence.
• Keeps Dirt Out – With an Automatic Pool Cover your pool will be easier to keep clean resulting in less time on maintenance
• Helps heat your pool – Automatic Pool Covers are made of a heavy vinyl and work much better than a solar cover. It is not uncommon for them to add 10 to 15 degrees to the temperature of the pool. If you have a Heat Pump the cover will help keep cost down by not letting heat dissipate into the air also reducing evaporation.
• Keeps People Out – Automatic Pool Covers work good for keeping children and even adults out of the pool. You can even walk on the cover, it feels like walking on a water bed.

The Bad:

• They Can Heat Your Pool Too Much – Since it traps the heat so well, it can actually turn your pool into a bath. You may need to leave the cover open to cool the water off.
• Keeps Chlorine In – Whether you are on a Salt Generator or Chlorine, your Automatic Pool Cover will hold the Chlorine in and not let it naturally dissipate. You should keep your Chlorine levels at minimums when using an Automatic Pool Cover. As Chlorine and Salt can both corrode your Cover.
• Generally Cost Much More Than A Safety Fence – Pool fence is the cheap alternative to Automatic Pool Covers. Of course this depends on how much area you are fencing off, the type and style, and the company you use to buy/install. But this would have to be one large and elaborate fence.
• Keeps People Out – You go to open your pool right before a BBQ and the cover won’t open, looks like no swimming today. Open your cover a day or two before any pool party and leave it open until the good times end. That way, if the cover does not open you will have time to repair.
• Cover Replacement – The covers are made of a vinyl material that typically wears out after five years or so. The cost of replacing this material is quite expensive, not to mention the labor.

While Automatic Pool Covers provide protection and save you time on maintenance, plan on budgeting around $1,000 a year for when the time comes to replace it. Usually about every 5 to 6 years you will need to put a new cover on and this will cost you close to $5,000. This usually does not include replacing the motor, pulleys and ropes in the webbing. During the winter months, if snow is in the forecast you should open your Automatic Pool Cover. Even though Automatic Pool Covers can handle the weight of several people, it will not be able to hold a snow load and can pull the rope out of the tracks or even collapse the tracks. If you live in a snow prone area, consider buying a regular security cover to use for winter months during heavy snow like these Remco Australia pool covers.

If you are thinking of going with an automatic pool cover or you are not sure what will work best for your pool. A Pool Supply Warehouse professional is available at our retail store or at 623-939-1346 for any questions you have.