Thinking of Installing an Automatic Pool Cover This Season? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

A pool cover is a long-term investment in your family’s peace of mind. Get all the answers to your questions before taking the plunge. 

A swimming pool is at the top of many children’s wish lists (along with ponies). But while a pool is a dream for many families’ backyards, it can also become a nightmare if you don’t take the proper safety precautions to put your mind at ease. Enter the automatic pool cover. These simple safety devices remove concerns around the pool at the flip of a switch while having many other huge benefits. If you’re considering pool cover installation, here are the need-to-knows. 

Is a pool cover a good idea?

While a pool can be an integral part of relaxation and recreation in your backyard, it can also be a source of concern. An uncovered pool runs the risk of little ones, humans of all ages, pets, or wildlife falling in unexpectedly. 

Statistics Canada looked at injury and death data from emergency rooms in Canada and found that the majority of drownings (fatal and non-fatal) occur in swimming pools, and children under nine years old are at the highest risk.

So, yes; a pool cover is a very good idea and one of the best precautions you can take for your family's safety when it comes to the pool. 

What are the benefits of a pool cover?

Pool covers are an excellent tool for much more than averting disaster. Pool cover benefits are plentiful and include:

Safety: Pool covers are a potentially life-saving investment. Once again, safety is the number one reason to invest in a pool cover—especially with little ones running around. While you can never replace the security of adult supervision, a pool cover when in use, helps to remove the major risks of an open pool. 

Prevent harm to wildlife: Humans are not the only ones who can have accidents around the pool. A pool cover also prevents wildlife from falling overboard. Functioning pool covers are also so strong that we’ve seen them support bears, moose, or even a rogue golf cart! The key word here is functioning though—your pool cover and fabric must be in top working order to perform its best. 

Lower maintenance: Since your pool is covered, maintenance is greatly reduced when using a pool cover since leaves and other debris stay out when not in use. 

Save energy: Covered pools are more efficient. They release less heat and lose less water through evaporation. 

Reduce chemical use: Since your pool will be more efficient and lose less water, you also save on chemical use. 

Save money: Your pool's energy, chemical, and maintenance savings translate to reduced costs in the long run. Some pool owners can see as much as 70% in energy savings when properly using a pool cover. 

Common questions about pool covers

When taking the plunge with an automatic pool cover, many questions come up. Here are some common concerns we come across. 

How long should a pool cover last?
The longevity of your pool cover comes down to the pool cover fabric, which should last seven to nine years. The great news? Fabric is replaceable, so once you’ve invested in a pool cover, the fabric will only have to be replaced after a long time. 

What are the different types of pool covers?
Pool covers generally come in with automatic or manual models. Automatic pool covers open and close on a track like a garage door. Manual pool covers that open and close with a hand crank are much less popular but just as safe. 

Pool covers can be installed on regular or infinity pools, new or existing builds, and fabrics can come in various colours to accent or blend into your backyard decor. 

How long does it take to install a pool safety cover?
It’s not too late to have a cover in place this season! Installing orders generally takes up to three weeks; installation happens in a day. 

How expensive are automatic pool covers?
The cost of a pool cover varies based on the size and other factors like whether it’s a new or existing pool. While costs can start at $20,000, it’s important to remember that a pool cover is an investment in your family’s safety and once installed, they are extremely low maintenance and will also help lower the energy and upkeep costs of swimming pool ownership. For an accurate quote based on your pool, get in touch!

Can you add an automatic cover to an existing pool?
This is a very common question from pool owners. They already have a pool and are unsure if installing an automatic pool cover is too late. In most cases, a pool cover can be installed on an existing pool. But it will depend on space and layout. Our pool cover specialists can help figure out if this is an option for you. 

Is an automatic pool cover worth it?
Hands down, a thousand times yes! Automatic pool covers are worth it for the safety alone, never mind the added convenience and maintenance perks. 

How to select an automatic pool cover company 

When pulling the trigger on a long-term investment for your property, picking the right people to work with is almost as important as picking the product! 

These are some of the green flags when you’re picking an automatic pool cover company:

Are they quick to respond?
If you’re having trouble getting a response from a company while you’re still in the prospecting phase and getting ready to hand over your hard-earned cash, imagine how responsive they’ll be if you need them for troubleshooting. Response times are clues to how well the company values its clients. 

Can you speak to a human?
Similar to our last point about response times, it doesn't bode well for the installation process if you have trouble getting a human on the line when you have questions about pricing or compatibility for your potential pool cover. 

Does the company communicate clearly?
When planning a large life purchase, the company you’re working with must communicate clearly. The right pool cover company should be able to provide clear details about pricing, timeframes, and any other concerns you might have. 

Who’s really running the company?
Do you have to dig deep to find out who the owners of the pool cover company are? Worse yet—is there no real contact or company information? Knowing where your money is going feels good and will give you confidence that if something goes wrong, there’s a team of real people standing by to help. 

Does the company come well-recommended?
Word of mouth is key to deciding which company to work with. If you can’t get a recommendation from a friend, reviews, and testimonials are the next best thing. 

Importantly, don’t feel the need to commit to the first company you reach out to. You have every right to source quotes from multiple companies before landing on the right one. 

The benefits of working with a local pool cover company

When selecting a pool cover company, staying close to home is key for more than the warm fuzzy feeling of supporting your local community. Pool Patrol is born and raised in B.C. and has been installing pool covers in the province since 1995. 

Proximity
A local pool cover company will have a team nearby if something goes wrong and you need help. Pool Patrol, for example, has a Vancouver division and an Okanagan division on hand covering the province. Plus, you can wave hello when you recognize us around the neighbourhood! 

Accountability
Local businesses are accountable to their communities. It’s a numbers game for big chains who don’t worry about seeing you around town or their reputation amongst neighbours because they can absorb the losses by being present in multiple regions. Local businesses depend on quality and their reputation. 

Local knowledge
A local pool company knows the quirks and specificities of your town, like climate and seasons, because it’s their home, too. That makes them experts in answering questions specific to your needs. 

Pool Patrol has been installing automatic pool covers in British Columbia since 1995. If you’re curious about installing a pool cover on your pool, contact Pool Patrol today.