Inground Swimming Pool Cover

An inground swimming pool cover provides a break from pool ownership - balancing chemicals, removing leaves, and making sure the pump and filter are all working. After 10 years of keeping our pool open through the winter we finally got an inground pool cover.

I resisted installing an inground swimming pool cover for several years - because who can argue what looks better - a beautiful, open pool or a big green cover? But after several years of regularly cleaning out leaves and debris from icy pool water in the dead of winter, a winter pool cover finally became appealing.

Winter Swimming Pool Cover

Closing the pool and installing an inground swimming pool cover, is a great reprieve from pool maintenance. Here is why we love our pool cover:

1. No need to worry about the lines when the temperatures get cold,

2. No more cleaning out baskets, and cleaning leaves and branches out of the pool

3. No more high power bills from the pump running day and night

4. No worrying about any kids or pets falling into the pool with a safety cover

5. No testing water and managing pool chemicals

As you can see we had a harsh winter with lots of heavy ice that put some serious weight on the cover. After the ice melted the cover sprang back to a really nice and taught fit.

Get Several Inground Pool Cover Estimates

The first step in the process of getting an inground swimming pool cover is to get several estimates.

We got 3 different estimates and then checked the references for the one company that we liked the best. 

After you decide which pool company to use, the swimming pool needs to be measured. In our case, since we have a free form pool, a custom pool cover needed to be made.

Inground Swimming Pool Cover Install

It is normal where we live to pay 50% of the estimated cost when placing an order.

The pool cover is then ordered and around a week later it is delivered.

For different reasons, we chose to go with a mesh cover that provides a 99% UV block.

The mesh cover weighs less than a solid cover, it costs less, and the one we purchased is also considered a safety cover.

When should you install your inground swimming pool cover?  It of course depends on what climate you life in.  We live in the southeast where temperatures usually don't dip below freezing until late 
December or early January.  However, we do know that when the leaves start falling is when we want to get our pool covered to eliminate the daily need to clean them out. 

Mesh Inground Swimming Pool Cover

The pool cover that we chose is made by Cover LOGIX. The SunGuard mesh offers the latest technology of combining a lightweight cover that also filters out 99% of the sunlight.

Many other mesh covers do offer a 95% blockage of UV light and so I asked our installer what's the big deal - only 4% difference.

Well, when it comes to algae, I guess it can tell. With a 99% UV block there is no algae growth while the cover is on and the water should look clean and clear in the spring.

Finally, the inground swimming pool cover has been layed out completely, with the buckets holding the cover in place until the hardware can be installed.

For different reasons, it was December 1st when the mesh pool cover was installed, and the air and water were really cold.

Kent kept telling me he really didn't mind putting his hands in that cold water - he was happy for the job. But I think he would have been much happier for the job in October :)

Inground Swimming Pool Cover Straps

The heavy duty straps are triple stitched on the top and the bottom for durability.

The anchors are made of brass and the springs are made of stainless steel.

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It's hard to see with the spring covers but this pool cover uses springs with a double-tension - meaning two springs instead of one.

The durable straps and springs keep the cover taught so it doesn't droop in the middle.

Inground Pool Safety Cover Springs

Inground Swimming Pool Anchors

Once the pool cover is in the right position and all of the straps are laid out, Kent uses a really BIG drill bit to drill holes into the cement for the brass anchors.

For just a brief moment, we considered ordering our pool cover on line and installing it ourselves.

But we were concerned about a couple of things.

One was providing an accurate measurement since we have a free form pool and the other was drilling the holes into the cement.

The holes are permanent. It's not like making a hole in a wall to hang a picture.  These holes are there for good.

Anchors hold the straps taught.  The good news is that after a couple of years if you need replacements you can find them on line at Amazon:

Pool Cover Anchors

 Inground Pool Safety Cover
Installation

Inground pool safety cover installation tips for a quick install include setting out your cover so that the straps align with the anchors. 

You will need a cordless drill to loosen the flush anchors around your pool.  

As you can see it takes some muscle and a piece of special equipment to get the straps nice and tight. 

A Metal Spring Installation and Removal Tool is necessary for removing and or covering your pool each fall and spring.

As my husband goes around to each strap the pool cover starts to tighten and gets nice and taught.

Here is the finished look of our mesh pool cover. Although we have owned a pool for over 10 years, this is the first time that we decided to put on a pool cover for the winter months. Kent blew the lines and winterized the pool so that everything is turned off.

The look of an open pool is definitely much more visually appealing, but the reduced maintenance will be worth it.

The last couple of nights have dropped below freezing, and in the past we had to always make sure the freeze protector turned the pump on, make sure the baskets were emptied of leaves (not a pleasant job in January), and the pool cleaner was emptied.

I think we're going to enjoy a break from pool maintenance during these winter months.

Inground Pool Cover Pump

An inground pool cover pump is designed to remove excess water from the top of an inground pool cover.

Pool covers are typically left on for several months which during that time it accumulates water from rain, or melting snow or ice.. If too much water collects on the cover, it can lead to damage, sagging, or even collapse.

The inground pool cover pump helps to prevent these issues by automatically pumping off the accumulated water. Here are some key features and considerations for an inground pool cover pump:

1. Automatic Operation: Many cover pumps are equipped with sensors that automatically activate the pump when a certain water level is reached and turn it off when the water is sufficiently pumped off.
2. Submersible Design: Inground pool cover pumps are typically submersible, meaning they can be placed directly on the pool cover and submerged in water without risk of electrical hazards. This design allows them to efficiently pump water from the cover surface.
3. Float Switch: A float switch is a common feature in these pumps. It is a mechanism that activates the pump when the water level rises to a certain point and deactivates it when the water level drops.
4. Flow Rate: Consider the flow rate of the pump, which indicates how quickly it can remove water. Choose a pump with a flow rate that matches the amount of water your pool cover is likely to collect.
5. Durability: Look for a pump that is durable and can withstand exposure to the elements. Since it will be used outdoors, it should be built to endure various weather conditions.
6. Power Source: Pool cover pumps are usually electric and need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Some models may come with a built-in power cord, while others might require an extension cord.
7. Installation: The installation process should be straightforward. Most cover pumps are designed to be easily set up and operated by homeowners.

Regular use of an inground pool cover pump helps maintain the integrity of your pool cover and makes it easier to remove the cover when it's time to reopen the pool.

Removing Your Inground Swimming Pool Cover

The size of our winter pool cover requires the help of two people - my husband and I are able to do it ourselves. 

We loosen the anchors on the deep end and pull the cover towards the shallow end.

Once we pull the cover off the pool we hose it off to get off dirt, pollen and debris and let it dry before folding it up.  It's really heavy so we get it into our wheel barrow and wheel it to the garage to store for the summer.

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