Keep Your Swimming Pool Protected Year-Round
Closing your pool for the season involves more than balancing the water and winterizing the equipment. The pool itself needs protection from the elements, falling leaves, snow, ice and other debris.
A properly fitted pool safety cover is an important part of an effective pool-closing strategy. It can help protect the water, reduce offseason maintenance and provide an additional layer of protection around an unattended swimming pool.
NJ Waterscapes provides custom pool safety covers, pool cover measurements, safety cover installation and pool cover replacement for homeowners throughout Camden County, New Jersey.
Because every swimming pool is different, we focus on covers designed to match the specific size, shape and features of your pool.
What Makes a Safety Pool Cover Different?
A safety cover is designed to attach to the pool deck rather than simply resting on top of the water.
Anchors are installed around the perimeter of the swimming pool, while springs and straps connect the cover to those anchors. This creates tension that keeps the cover securely positioned over the pool.
This is different from a basic winter pool cover, which typically floats on the surface and requires additional methods to keep it in place.
A professionally installed inground pool safety cover can provide several advantages, including:
- Helping keep leaves and debris out of the pool
- Reducing winter cleaning and maintenance
- Protecting the pool from seasonal weather
- Making spring pool opening easier
- Reducing exposure to sunlight
- Providing an additional layer of protection around the pool
- Helping protect your pool investment during the offseason
Consider a Merlin Pool Cover
If you’re looking for a high-quality custom pool safety cover, Merlin Pool Covers are an option to consider.
Merlin Industries manufactures custom safety covers for individual swimming pools. The company offers both mesh and solid cover materials designed for different homeowner preferences and pool configurations.
Merlin’s SmartMesh material is designed to allow water to pass through the cover while helping prevent leaves and larger debris from entering the pool. Solid safety covers provide a more complete barrier and can also help reduce sunlight reaching the water. (merlinindustries.com)
A custom Merlin cover can be designed for many types of inground pools, including:
- Rectangular pools
- Freeform pools
- Kidney-shaped pools
- Pools with attached spas
- Pools with built-in steps
- Pools with unusual dimensions
- Pools with raised walls and other features
The quality of the cover is important, but so are the measurements and installation.
Choosing Between Mesh and Solid Safety Covers
Homeowners have different priorities when selecting a winter pool cover. That’s why safety covers are available in different materials.
Mesh Pool Safety Covers
Mesh covers allow water from rain and melting snow to pass through the material while helping keep larger debris out of the pool.
For homeowners who want a lightweight cover with drainage capabilities, a mesh safety cover can be an attractive option.
Solid Pool Safety Covers
Solid covers create a more complete barrier over the swimming pool. They can help block sunlight and prevent debris from entering the water.
The appropriate cover depends on your pool, your preferences and how you want to manage your pool during the offseason.
NJ Waterscapes can help you understand the available choices when you’re shopping for a custom swimming pool safety cover.
Every Pool Requires Accurate Measurements
A pool cover isn’t something that should be ordered based on an approximate pool size.
Swimming pools can include curves, angles and features that make each installation unique. A pool may have an attached spa, built-in steps, ladders, diving boards, waterfalls, raised sections or other features that must be considered.
That’s why professional pool cover measurements are so important.
Accurate measurements help ensure that the finished cover is manufactured to match the actual pool.
A properly measured cover should account for:
- Overall pool dimensions
- Pool shape
- Steps and benches
- Attached spas
- Ladders
- Diving boards
- Raised walls
- Water features
- Other obstacles surrounding the pool
Professional Installation Makes a Difference
Once your cover has been manufactured, proper installation is critical.
A safety cover needs correctly positioned anchors, properly adjusted springs and appropriate tension across the cover.
NJ Waterscapes can assist with the installation process, including:
- Measuring the swimming pool
- Evaluating existing anchors
- Installing or replacing pool cover anchors
- Attaching cover springs
- Positioning the cover
- Adjusting spring tension
- Inspecting the finished installation
Correct installation helps the cover perform as intended and can also help prevent unnecessary wear caused by improper tension or positioning.
Understanding Pool Cover Hardware
A safety cover depends on more than the fabric itself. The hardware used to secure the cover is an important part of the system.
Pool cover anchors are installed into the surrounding deck and serve as the connection points for the cover springs.
Pool cover springs attach the cover straps to the anchors and provide the tension needed to hold the cover securely in position.
Brass and other corrosion-resistant anchors are commonly used for safety cover installations. When the cover is removed, recessed anchors can sit flush with the pool deck.
If you’re replacing an old cover, the existing hardware should be examined. Worn anchors, damaged springs or deteriorated straps can affect the performance of a new cover.
Signs Your Pool Cover Has Reached the End of Its Life
Even a quality safety cover eventually experiences normal wear.
Sun exposure, weather, chemicals and repeated seasonal installation can gradually affect the cover material and hardware.
Before putting your cover away for another winter, look for:
- Rips or tears
- Fraying around the edges
- Worn straps
- Damaged stitching
- Broken springs
- Loose anchors
- Corrosion
- Excessive sagging
- Material deterioration
- An incorrect or loose fit
If you find significant damage, don’t wait until the next pool-closing season to address it.
A pool safety cover replacement can be planned in advance, giving you time to have the pool measured and the new cover manufactured before you need it.
Getting More Life From Your Safety Cover
Proper maintenance can make a significant difference in the useful life of a pool safety cover.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding installation, removal, cleaning, storage and inspection.
Merlin’s safety cover guidelines recommend inspecting the cover and associated hardware and maintaining the proper water level beneath the cover. (merlinindustries.com)
It’s also important to remember that a pool safety cover is not a substitute for supervision. Children and pets should never be allowed near an uncovered or covered pool without appropriate safety precautions and adult supervision.
Pool Safety Cover Services in Camden County
NJ Waterscapes provides pool cover services in Camden County, NJ, helping homeowners prepare their inground swimming pools for the offseason.
Our service area includes communities such as:
- Cherry Hill
- Voorhees Township
- Haddonfield
- Haddon Heights
- Collingswood
- Merchantville
- Pennsauken
- Mount Laurel
- Maple Shade
- Moorestown
- Lindenwold
- Gloucester Township
- Berlin
- Gibbsboro
- Barrington
- Audubon
- Oaklyn
- Runnemede
- Somerdale
- Stratford
If you’re located in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Haddonfield, Pennsauken, Gloucester Township or another Camden County community, NJ Waterscapes can help with your pool safety cover needs.
Plan Your Pool Cover Replacement Early
A damaged pool cover can become a major problem if you discover it after the pool-closing season has already started.
Planning ahead gives you time to:
- Inspect your current cover.
- Check the springs and anchors.
- Measure the pool.
- Determine whether you need mesh or solid material.
- Select a replacement cover.
- Arrange professional installation.
This is particularly important for custom covers because they are manufactured for a specific pool rather than pulled from standard-size inventory.
NJ Waterscapes Can Help With Your Pool Cover
Choosing a pool safety cover involves more than selecting a color or material. The cover needs to be appropriate for your pool, accurately measured and properly installed.
NJ Waterscapes can help Camden County homeowners with:
- Custom pool safety covers
- Merlin Pool Covers
- Pool cover measurements
- Pool safety cover installation
- Pool cover replacement
- Safety cover anchors
- Pool cover springs
- Seasonal pool closings
- Pool openings and other pool services
If your current cover is worn out or you’re purchasing a safety cover for the first time, we can help you evaluate your options.
Protect Your Pool Before the Weather Turns Cold
The offseason can be tough on a swimming pool. Leaves, rain, snow, ice and freezing temperatures can all create additional maintenance concerns.
A properly selected and professionally installed pool safety cover provides an effective way to protect your pool during this period.
Whether you’re interested in a Merlin Pool Cover, need a replacement for an aging safety cover, or simply want to learn more about your options, NJ Waterscapes can help.
For homeowners throughout Camden County, New Jersey, professional pool cover installation can provide better protection and make getting the pool ready for spring much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Safety Covers
A pool safety cover is designed to cover an inground swimming pool and attach securely to anchors installed around the pool deck. It helps keep debris out and provides an additional protective barrier during the offseason.
Merlin Pool Covers are custom-manufactured swimming pool safety covers available in different materials, including mesh and solid options. Merlin designs its covers for individual swimming pool configurations. (merlinindustries.com)
Yes. Custom safety covers can be manufactured for a wide variety of swimming pool shapes and configurations. Accurate measurements are necessary to produce the correct cover.
Both have advantages. Mesh covers allow water to pass through the material, while solid covers provide a more complete barrier and can block sunlight. Your pool and personal preferences should be considered when selecting the material.
Look for tears, fraying, damaged straps, broken springs, deteriorated material, damaged anchors or areas where the cover no longer fits properly.
Possibly. Existing hardware should be inspected to determine whether it remains structurally sound and compatible with the replacement cover.
Springs connect the cover straps to the deck anchors and provide tension across the cover. Proper spring adjustment is important for maintaining the correct fit.
There isn’t a single lifespan that applies to every cover. Material, weather exposure, maintenance, installation and usage can all affect longevity.
Inspect the cover and its hardware before installation and periodically during the offseason. Check for damage to the fabric, straps, springs and anchors.
NJ Waterscapes provides pool cover measurement, installation and replacement services. Contact the company to discuss Merlin Pool Covers and other available safety cover options.
A safety cover should be viewed as one component of a comprehensive pool safety plan. It should not replace responsible adult supervision or other appropriate pool safety measures.
It’s best to address replacement before you need the cover for winter. Planning ahead allows time for measurements, manufacturing and installation before the pool-closing season.