Information on Pool Covers

Something as simple as a cover can be invaluable to a pool owner when used regularly. Covers will aid the owner in maintaining his pool. It will keep out dirt and debris that the wind blows and leaves from nearby trees. Pool blankets block the sun's UV rays, reducing evaporation and chemical burn off. There are new covers that can support the weight of small children and small pets.

Mesh covers are designed to keep debris out and allow rainwater to come through. The mesh cover is made of very strong, lightweight material and is held in place with anchor ropes.

Bubble Blankets are the most common pool cover. The bubble blanket which resembles the packing wrap used for moving, is made up of thousands of tiny transparent bubbles. They are designed to trap sunlight and heat the pool. A floating bubble blanket is placed on the pool overnight, where it retains heat and prevents water and chemical evaporation. This will reduce the need to top off the pool and the amount of pool chemicals needed to maintain a balanced pool. Bubble Blankets need to be replaced regularly, so a roller will be needed. The bubble blanket, when on the roller, is highly solar efficient. They will need to be covered to avoid overheating.

Thermal Blankets are designed to insulate the pool overnight. They will reduce evaporation and heat loss. They can save money by reducing the amount of time it takes to heat the pool. Also, because thermal blankets cut down on evaporation, less water is lost and chemical burn off is reduced, thus decreasing the amount of topping off and chemicals needed to maintain the pool.

Slat covers not only protect the pool. They can also support the weight of a small child or small pet. The slat cover works a lot like a garage door. When the cover is rolled over the pool several individual slats will lock together to create a barrier. Although the slat cover offers some protection to children and pets, they are still on substitute for pool fencing. Another variation of the slat cover, is a sturdy material that is supported by metal rods spaced out at intervals. Both of these covers work much the same as a thermal blanket, they help reduce evaporation and the retention of heat overnight.

Slat covers are usually installed during the construction phase. They are built into underground pits, where they can be made to disappear through a slot the width of the pool. They can also be retrofitted to an existing pool.

Using a pool cover to reduce the amount of evaporation aides in the water conservation efforts that all Australians are striving for. Doing your part to cut down on water waste, shows that you are a responsible pool owner.

Reducing chemical burn off will cut down on the costs of maintaining your pool. Which will make owning a pool much less stressful.

Consult with a pool construction specialist when making a decision about pool covers and blankets.

Nicholas Ayres is swimming pool designer based in Western Australia and builds concrete swimming pools in Perth.

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10 Questions For Your Swimming Pool Contractor

If you are considering a swimming pool for your back yard, you want to begin with getting your feet wet with the contractor you are working with. Before you start to dig a large hole in the outdoors, you want to make sure you are completely prepared for the construction that is about to take place. Understanding the process for building a swimming pool and making sure you is ready for the renovation is one that helps you to stay comfortable with the process. Following are ten questions to ask so you can be prepared for the construction process that goes into your pool.

1. What should I expect with time and milestones? One of the common problems that pool owners runs into is based on the timing considerations for a pool. Building this new addition to your home takes more then a week and includes a specific process to add the perfect features into your pool. You want to make sure you know what the expectations are for any size pool.

2. What process do you use for building a pool? Even though you may be familiar with the basics of swimming pool construction, you want to make sure you know even more about what is happening in your back yard. Knowing what is included in the package ensures you are getting the complete set up for your pool.

3. What is included in the cost? There are several contractors that will work on your pool then add additional costs for features that should be included in the initial make of the pool. If you want your pool completed correctly, then making sure you add up all the costs. This includes the building of the foundation, coping and setting of tiles, and making sure you take care of this at the beginning.

4. What additions do you add in? Most contractors specialize in pouring cement and building the foundation to your pool. However, you can get others to add in landscaping, tiles and decks around the main area. Knowing what a contractor is willing to do and making sure this meets your expectations is essential to the perfect pool.

5. What is the best design? Even though you may have a design for your perfect oasis, you want to make sure this is logical for your back yard. Asking contractors about possibilities for designs and build of your swimming pool and making sure it matches with what you want allows you to get even better results with the back yard area you are interested in.

6. What is the best self - cleaning option? By finding out what the experiences of contractors are when building the best systems for your swimming pool, you have the capacity of only having the best in your back yard. You want to make sure you combine what works effectively for your own maintenance with recommendations. Usually, those who build pools know what is able to last the longest while creating the most cleanliness in your system.

7. How will the plumbing work? The more you know about the system of your water, the easier it will be for you to maintain. Understanding the inner layout of your pool and making sure you know how everything connects helps with adding in even more to your pool look.

8. What are options for decorations? Once the pool has the main metal and concrete in place, you can work with a contractor for tiles, stones or pavers to add in and around your pool. Knowing what is offered and finding a decoration that is best for your outdoor area makes even more out of your pool area.

9. What should be expected for the process of building the pool? The worst thing that can happen with construction of a pool is to be caught off guard with the changes that are occurring. Making sure you are clear about the process, including the basic construction, permit needs and other considerations allows you to get a clear idea of what will happen and also tests the credentials of contractors you are working with.

10. What should you do to prepare? If you have a set time to begin construction on a pool, you want to make sure you are prepared. Asking what is needed to get the space ready in the back yard for maintenance and checking with the extras for getting ready for the new water in your back area allow you to start the process you are interested in beginning.

With these simple steps, you have the capacity of understanding more of the process for the construction taking place in your back yard. More then this, you have the ability to see how well prepared the contractors are so you understand the level of expertise they are bringing to the table. The more questions you ask contractors, the better results you will get with the pool you are building and the desired results you are envisioning for the back yard.

Nicholas Ayres is the owner of Neo Pools, a Perth swimming pool builder. Neo provides inground swimming pools & pool equipment.

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