DIY Security Systems
Pool safety covers often get damaged in storage, so you must know how to store pool safety cover correctly. If the pool cover is not properly stored, rodents and insects can burrow into the material and make nests.
When it comes to protecting your pool safety cover, prevention is better than the curr. It is better to know how to store your pool safety cover properly from the beginning instead of trying to fix damage from poor storage practices.
The Importance of Knowing How to Store a Pool Safety Cover
Insects and rodents are problematic because they prefer making nests in the middle of your pool safety cover. They will eat their way from the outside of the pool cover into the middle where they will make a nest, give birth, and raise their young. When you finally open your pool safety cover to protect your pool, you are left with a pool cover with dozens of holes, dirt, and even rodent feces.
If the damage is not too extensive, you can probably purchase pool cover repair kits and patch the holes. However, rodent damage is usually thorough, which means that replacing your pool cover is not worthwhile. You would be better off purchasing a new one.
What Is a Pool Safety Cover?
A pool safety cover is a material that you place on top of your pool if you do not plan to use your pool for long periods. It is designed to keep small children and animals from accidentally falling into the pool and prevent dirt, debris, and other contaminants from dirtying the water.
The first type of pool safety cover is the mesh type. The design allows rain and melted snow to pass through the mesh while preventing unwanted contaminants such as insects, leaves, and sticks from getting into the pool. Despite its fragile appearance and lightweight, mesh pool covers can hold hundreds of pounds provided that it is of good quality.
However, the mesh barrier is not small enough to stop fine sediment such as dirt or dust from passing through, so you will need to vacuum your pool before using it. What’s more, mesh covers do not block sunlight from entering your pool, and sunlight can promote algae growth. This means that you might need to add either an algaestat (prevents algae growth) or algaecide (kills algae) to your water before covering it with a mesh safety cover.
The second type of pool safety cover is solid. Solid pool safety covers look like wide tarps that completely block anything from entering your pool. Solid pool safety covers also block sunlight, so you won’t have to worry about algae growing in your pool.
The problem with solid pool safety covers is that the lack of drainage can create a puddle of water on top of your pool, especially if you live somewhere with lots of rain or snowfall. This water can not only damage your cover. It becomes too heavy, but it can be a drowning hazard to animals and small children! This is the reason solid pool safety covers often come with pumps; you’ll need to regularly remove any water that has collected on top of the safety cover.
The third type of pool safety cover is hybrid. It is a solid cover with a mesh panel in the middle. The solid portion keeps most of the unwanted contaminants out, while the mesh panel allows water to drain into the pool. Often, this mesh panel blocks out most sunlight as well to prevent algae growth. While hybrid pool covers are usually the most expensive, they combine the best qualities of both mesh and solid safety pool covers.
Pool Cover Storage Options
There are two ways that you can choose from to store your safety pool cover and ensure its safety at home: storage bins or pool safety cover bags.
Storage Bins
Storage bins come in a wide range of sizes and capacities. If you’re looking for a cheap but durable pool safety cover, plastic bins are a great option. Plastic bins with wheels are the best choice if you have a large and heavy pool cover, and you can strap down the lid with a bungee cord to prevent rodents from getting into the bin. The shape of the bin also makes it easier to store a rolled-up pool safety cover.
The downside to using plastic bins is that they are heavy, bulky, and take up a lot of space.
Pool Safety Cover Bag
If you have a small pool cover or limited space, you can opt for a pool safety cover bag. These bags are portable, easy to store, and many of them have straps so you can hang the bag off the hook and save space. The downside to pool safety cover bags is that they are not as durable as plastic bins, and rodents can chew their way through the bag itself.
Storage bags might not be the best option if you plan to store your pool cover for a long time.
How to Store a Pool Safety Cover in 5 Steps
Here is how to store your pool cover in five steps:
- Clean your cover by removing all the dirt and debris on the top. You can wash it down with a garden hose so that any fine sediment also washes off.
- Remove the attachments around the cover. Most covers have an installation rod that can help you remove any springs or anchors holding down your cover.
- Remove the cover gently by starting at one end and folding the cover in small sections.
- Rinse the cover thoroughly with water and mild detergent to remove any last bits of dirt and grime.
- After drying the cover completely, fold or roll it according to the manufacturer’s instructions and store it in your chosen container.
Conclusion
Pool safety covers are expensive. If you don’t want to keep buying pool safety covers every year, you need to know how to store a pool safety cover properly. Storing your pool safety cover correctly will allow you to use the same cover for years without worrying about rodents or insects damaging it. Find out more about Pool Safety Covers.