Protect Your Swimming Pool During the Winter
Your swimming pool is a significant investment, and protecting it during the months when it is not being used is an important part of responsible pool ownership. A properly fitted pool safety cover can help shield an inground pool from leaves, debris, weather and other seasonal conditions while also making the spring opening process easier.
NJ Waterscapes provides custom pool safety cover measurements, installation, replacement and service for homeowners throughout Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Unlike a basic winter cover that is simply placed over the surface of the pool, a custom safety cover is manufactured specifically for the size and configuration of your swimming pool. The cover is secured to anchors installed around the pool deck, creating a fitted system designed for the individual pool.
What Is a Swimming Pool Safety Cover?
A pool safety cover is a durable cover designed for inground swimming pools. The cover attaches to anchors around the perimeter of the pool using straps and springs that create tension and help keep the cover securely in position.
Because the cover is attached to the surrounding deck rather than simply floating on the water, a custom safety cover provides a more secure option for protecting an inground pool during the offseason.
A properly fitted safety cover can help:
- Keep leaves and other debris out of the pool
- Reduce the amount of winter pool maintenance
- Limit exposure to seasonal weather
- Reduce sunlight reaching the pool water
- Make spring pool opening easier
- Provide an additional protective barrier around the pool
- Help protect your pool investment
Merlin Pool Covers for Middlesex County Pools
Homeowners looking for a custom pool safety cover may want to consider Merlin Pool Covers.
Merlin Industries manufactures custom safety covers based on the dimensions and configuration of individual swimming pools. The company offers both mesh and solid cover materials, allowing homeowners to select an option based on their pool and maintenance preferences.
Merlin’s SmartMesh material is designed to allow water to pass through the cover while helping keep leaves and larger debris from entering the pool. Solid safety covers are also available for homeowners looking for a material that blocks sunlight and creates a solid barrier across the pool.
Custom Merlin safety covers can accommodate a variety of swimming pool designs, 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 or other features
Professional measurements are an important part of ordering a custom pool safety cover. The cover needs to account for the pool’s exact dimensions and any features that affect its shape.
Mesh or Solid: Which Pool Cover Is Right for You?
One of the decisions homeowners face when replacing or installing a pool safety cover is choosing between mesh and solid material.
Mesh Pool Safety Covers
Mesh covers are designed to allow rainwater and melting snow to pass through the material while helping keep leaves and larger debris from entering the pool.
One advantage of mesh is that homeowners generally have less standing water sitting on top of the cover because water can pass through the material.
Solid Pool Safety Covers
Solid covers create a more complete barrier over the swimming pool. They can help block sunlight and keep debris from entering the pool while protecting the water underneath.
Both mesh and solid covers have different characteristics. The right choice can depend on your pool configuration, maintenance preferences and what you want from your winter pool cover.
NJ Waterscapes can help you understand the available options and determine which type of safety cover is appropriate for your pool.
Why Accurate Pool Cover Measurements Matter
Every swimming pool is different. Even pools with similar shapes can have different dimensions, steps, attached spas, ladders, diving boards, waterfalls, raised walls or other features that affect the design of the safety cover.
Accurate measurements allow the manufacturer to create a cover that corresponds to the actual configuration of the pool.
A properly measured and fitted cover should provide:
- Appropriate coverage around the pool
- Correct strap positioning
- Proper deck-anchor placement
- Appropriate spring tension
- A secure fit around pool features
Professional measuring is especially important for freeform pools and pools with unusual shapes or additional features.
Professional Pool Safety Cover Installation
Selecting a high-quality safety cover is only one part of protecting your pool. Proper installation is also important.
During installation, the anchors must be positioned appropriately around the pool deck, while the springs and straps need to be adjusted to provide the proper tension.
NJ Waterscapes provides assistance with several parts of the pool safety cover installation process.
Pool Cover Measurements
The pool is measured and its unique features are taken into consideration when determining the cover configuration.
Safety Cover Anchor Installation
Anchors provide the attachment points for the springs and straps that secure the cover around the pool.
Pool Cover Spring Installation
Springs help create the tension necessary to hold the safety cover securely in place.
Cover Fitting and Adjustment
After the cover is installed, it is positioned and adjusted to provide the appropriate fit and tension.
Pool Cover Anchors and Springs
The hardware used with a safety cover is an important part of the overall system.
Pool cover anchors are installed around the pool deck and provide the connection points for the cover. Springs attach the cover straps to the anchors and provide the tension necessary to keep the cover properly positioned.
Many safety cover systems use durable brass or corrosion-resistant deck anchors that are designed to sit flush with the deck when the cover is removed.
If your existing anchors are loose, damaged or showing signs of corrosion, they should be inspected before installing a replacement cover.
When Should You Replace Your Pool Safety Cover?
Pool safety covers are exposed to sunlight, weather, chemicals and repeated installation and removal. Over time, the cover material and hardware can wear out.
Your pool cover should be inspected if you notice:
- Tears or other fabric damage
- Frayed straps
- Broken stitching
- Stretched material
- Damaged springs
- Corroded anchors
- Loose hardware
- Excessive sagging
- A cover that no longer fits correctly
A damaged cover should not simply be left in place until spring. If your safety cover has deteriorated or is no longer performing as expected, having it inspected before the winter season can give you time to determine whether it should be repaired or replaced.
How to Maintain Your Pool Safety Cover
Proper maintenance can help extend the useful life of a quality pool safety cover.
Homeowners should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for installing, removing, cleaning and storing their cover. The cover and associated hardware should also be inspected regularly.
Merlin’s safety cover information recommends inspecting the cover and hardware and maintaining the appropriate water level beneath the cover.
Never walk across a pool safety cover unless the manufacturer specifically states that the cover is designed and rated for that purpose.
A pool safety cover should also never be considered a replacement for responsible adult supervision around a swimming pool.
Pool Safety Covers for Middlesex County, NJ
NJ Waterscapes provides pool safety cover services for homeowners throughout Middlesex County.
Our service area includes communities such as:
- East Brunswick
- Edison
- Woodbridge
- Piscataway
- North Brunswick
- South Brunswick
- South Plainfield
- Metuchen
- Cranbury
Whether you live in Edison, East Brunswick, Monroe Township, Old Bridge, Woodbridge or another Middlesex County community, NJ Waterscapes can help you explore options for protecting your swimming pool during the offseason.
Don’t Wait Until the Pool Cover Fails
The best time to deal with a worn or damaged pool safety cover is before you need it.
Waiting until the winter season is already underway can make replacing a cover more difficult. Planning ahead provides time to have your pool measured, select the appropriate cover material, order the custom cover and complete the installation before the pool enters its offseason.
If your current safety cover is showing signs of wear, NJ Waterscapes can inspect the cover and hardware and help you determine whether repair or replacement is the better option.
Your Middlesex County Pool Safety Cover Professionals
A custom pool safety cover is an important part of protecting an inground swimming pool during the offseason.
Whether you need a safety cover for a new pool, are replacing an older cover, or are interested in a Merlin Pool Cover, NJ Waterscapes can assist with the process.
From professional measurements and hardware inspection to cover installation and replacement, the goal is to provide a properly fitted cover that is ready to protect your pool throughout the offseason.
Contact NJ Waterscapes to learn more about custom pool safety covers and Merlin Pool Covers in Middlesex County NJ.
A safety cover stretches across the pool and attaches to anchors installed around the surrounding deck. This helps keep leaves and debris out while providing an additional protective barrier over the swimming pool.
Yes. Merlin manufactures custom safety covers based on the dimensions and configuration of each individual swimming pool.
Merlin offers both mesh and solid safety cover options. The different materials provide different characteristics relating to water drainage, debris protection and sunlight reduction.
Yes. Custom safety covers can be manufactured for many different pool configurations. Accurate measurements are particularly important when dealing with freeform or irregularly shaped pools.
The cover and its hardware should be inspected regularly, especially before installing it for the winter. Look for tears, worn material, damaged straps, broken springs, corroded anchors and other signs of deterioration.
Torn fabric, worn material, damaged straps, broken springs, corroded anchors, excessive sagging or a cover that no longer fits correctly can all indicate that an inspection and possible replacement are needed.
There is not one material that is automatically right for every swimming pool. Mesh and solid covers have different characteristics, so the appropriate choice depends on the pool, homeowner preferences and maintenance expectations.
A custom safety cover needs to match the pool’s dimensions and account for features such as steps, attached spas, ladders, diving boards and raised walls. Accurate measurements help ensure the cover is manufactured to fit the pool correctly.
Sometimes. Existing anchors should be inspected to determine whether they are still in good condition and compatible with the replacement cover system. Damaged, loose or deteriorated hardware may need to be replaced.
The lifespan of a safety cover can vary depending on its material, exposure to weather and sunlight, maintenance and how frequently it is installed and removed. Following the manufacturer’s care recommendations can help maximize its useful life.
NJ Waterscapes can assist homeowners with pool cover measurements, safety cover installation and replacement. Contact NJ Waterscapes to discuss Merlin Pool Covers and other available pool safety cover options.
No. A pool safety cover should be viewed as an additional layer of pool protection. It should never replace responsible adult supervision or other appropriate swimming pool safety practices.