How to Choose In-Ground Swimming Pool Covers

As the swimming season draws to an end, it's time to prepare your in-ground swimming pool for the winter. One of the most important steps involved in pool winterization is covering your pool with a winter pool cover. In-ground winter pool covers are designed to provide your pool with a winter shield that will protect it from cold, harsh weather. At the same time, winter pool covers for in-ground swimming pools help to keep the pool water clean by keeping out debris and other contaminants. Consequently, by protecting your in-ground pool with a winter cover during the off-season you will be maintaining the good condition of your pool while also ensuring that your next spring opening will go smoothly.

In order to provide your pool with the best winter protection possible, it's important to choose a winter cover of good quality and the right fit. In-ground pool winter covers are designed for particular pool sizes, so be sure that you know the size of your pool before you purchase a cover. If your cover does not fit your pool properly, it will not work effectively and your pool could end up sustaining damage during the winter months. Once you know what size you need your cover to be, you should look for features such as fabric with high tear resistance, double stitched borders and UV resistant properties. All of these characteristics enhance the strength and durability of winter swimming pool covers so that they can provide excellent protection year after year.

When choosing in-ground pool winter covers there are also other features that you may wish to look for. For instance, some winter pool covers come with a black underside which helps to inhibit the growth of algae. Another great characteristic to look for in winter pool covers is fabric that is impervious to stains caused by chlorine and other chemicals. Finally, when purchasing a cover for your pool, make sure that you have everything required for secure anchoring. In-ground winter pool covers should feature several feet of overlap so that there is enough fabric to anchor to the pool deck while also accommodating a water drop of approximately 18 inches. Winter pool covers for in-ground swimming pools may or may not come with water tubes included, so make sure that you know if you will need to purchase such tubes separately, as they are necessary in order to properly secure your winter cover.

Prior to purchasing in-ground pool winter covers, it's important to have some basic knowledge about the different types and models that are available. For example, you will have to choose between solid winter pool covers, fine mesh winter pool covers and micro mesh winter pool covers. Solid winter swimming pool covers feature a tight woven construction with a special fabric coating that allows the material to provide an impenetrable barrier between the pool and the outer environment. As such, solid winter pool covers for in-ground swimming pools keep the pool water exceptionally clean as they do not allow any dirt or debris to contaminate the pool. Before you purchase a solid winter cover, however, keep in mind that water from rain and melting snow will form puddles on the top of these covers, making the use of a cover pump necessary.

Mesh in-ground winter pool covers provide an alternative to solid winter pool covers. Fine mesh winter swimming pool covers are constructed from strong, finely woven fabric which allows rain and melting snow to pass through the material and into the pool, while preventing leaves and other large debris from contaminating the pool water. This mesh construction eliminates the need for a cover pump, as puddles will not form on the surface of the cover. However, fine dirt and sediment will be able to penetrate fine mesh winter pool covers, making some vacuuming and cleaning necessary come springtime. While micro mesh winter pool covers for in-ground swimming pools are very similar to fine mesh winter swimming pool covers, their fabric is even more finely woven. As a result, micro mesh winter pool covers prevent even the finest dirt and debris from penetrating the cover while still allowing rainwater and melting snow to seep through.

Whether you decide to purchase a solid, fine mesh or micro mesh winter cover for your in-ground swimming pool, you should consider also purchasing a leaf catcher. Leaf catchers are special nets designed to be set over top of winter swimming pool covers. As leaves fall from surrounding trees, they land on the leaf catcher rather than directly on the winter cover. Therefore, once all the leaves have fallen, all you have to do is simply remove your leaf catcher for easy cleanup and a leaf-free winter pool cover. Leaf catchers are particularly ideal for in-ground pools surrounded by trees and for pool owners who are tired of dealing with messy, rotting leaves on their winter pool cover.

Brenda Masten is an experienced pool owner. She explains how to choose in-ground swimming pool covers for coming winter season. Learn more about different types of in-ground pool winter covers to make right buying decision.