Time to Roll Back the Automatic Pool Cover: Tips to Open Your Pool Safely this Season

The unofficial pool season kickoff — Victoria Day long weekend — is just around the corner. A beautiful and safe backyard pool retreat doesn’t happen overnight, so start your prep now to ensure your backyard is dressed to impress. 

Safety

A pool is only as fun as it is safe. Before you even begin to think of opening the pool, safety measures should be in order. 

One of the most effective safety tools for the backyard is an automatic pool cover, for many reasons:

Quick closure: An automatic pool cover opens and closes at the flip of a switch, effectively removing the risk of anyone falling into the pool. 

Sturdy: A properly maintained auto cover like those provided by Pool Patrol is strong enough to stand on — literally. So if someone finds themselves in the pool accidentally, they won’t be in the pool. This feature of our automatic pool covers helps to significantly reduce drowning risk while the cover is closed. 

Note: In addition to well-maintained pool cover fabric and machinery, pool water levels must be properly maintained to provide this type of strength. 

This feature helps keep children, pets, guests, and all manner of living beings out of the pool when they are not meant to be in it. 

See a black bear walk on water (on an automatic pool cover!).

Additional safety measures
While an auto cover goes a long way in keeping your family safe, it’s only one tool in an arsenal of safety measures which should be followed to enjoy the pool. 

Additional pool safety measures include:

• Adult supervision whenever the pool is in use. 

• Take a first aid course and learn CPR. 

• Children should always be accompanied by an adult when in the water. 

• Keep life jackets, flotation devices, and safety hooks close by at all times. 

• Pool fences and gates create an additional barrier to the pool area. 

• Bells and alarms can alert to when the pool is being accessed. 

• Consider hiring a lifeguard for large groups and pool parties. 

• Avoid crowding the pool, which can make it difficult to see if someone is in distress. 

If you haven’t invested in an automatic pool cover for your backyard, it’s not too late. For homes in mainland and interior BC, Pool Patrol is locally owned and Canadian-built for quality you can trust. Get in touch to book your automatic pool cover installation today. 

Opening the pool

When the time comes to open the pool, there are some simple steps you should follow for a safe and hygienic pool season. Note: Always follow the advice of your pool specialist when opening your pool. 

1. Clean debris from around the pool
Before opening your pool cover, clear all debris like dead leaves and dirt from around the pool so it doesn’t make its way into the pool once the cover is removed. 

2. Check your stock
Before you get deep into the job, make sure you have all of your supplies on hand. Take a moment to double-check your stock of pool chemicals and safety devices. 

3. Inspect the pool cover system 
Inspect your automatic pool cover for any signs of concern of wear and tear. Here’s what to look for when inspecting your auto cover:

• Brittle, stiff, or cracking fabric 

• Holes or tears

• Odd sounds from the fabric or the motor

• Bunched-up fabric or frayed webbing

• Stuttering or issues with the pool cover track

Also, note the age of your pool cover fabric. The lifespan of pool cover fabric tends to be seven to nine years. If yours is beyond that age, it should be inspected by a professional and/or replaced.

Deterioration can be difficult to spot with an untrained eye. For true peace of mind, contact Pool Patrol for an inspection today. 

4. Inspect the pool and deck
Now’s the time to look into the pool and deck. 

The temperature fluctuations that come with winter in BC can lead to all sorts of expanding and contracting of deck materials. Check for any concerning signs of damage to the material, like rotting wood or loosened panels.  

• Be sure to consult with a swimming pool professional for guidance. 

• Check the filter and pump for damage

• Note any changes to the pool itself, such as fractures or wear and tear

• If scale buildup needs to be removed, consult a professional for product advice or services. 

5. Clean pool interior
If you follow our advice to use your automatic pool cover in the winter, the water level of your pool should be relatively normal.

Maintaining proper water levels is crucial to supporting the cover over winter. If the skimmer has been properly winterized, the pool should have been kept at normal water levels. Learn more about using your automatic pool cover in winter. 

So, with water levels fairly high, take a moment to clean the pool interior as you normally would throughout the season. 

6. Test pool water professionally
It’s best practice to have your pool water tested professionally at the start and again at regular intervals throughout the season. Always default to your pool specialist for water hygiene.

An on-call backyard oasis

With all of your safety measures in order and the pool opened and ready to go, the last piece of the perfect poolside summer is all about the aesthetics. 

A few simple tips can keep your backyard pool-party-ready all season long. 

Clear waters: Safety is just one of the many benefits of an automatic pool cover, including cleanliness. The cover keeps leaves, dirt and other unsightly debris out of your pool, so your pool is guest-ready at the drop of a hat. 

Guest accessories: Investing in a few simple guest accessories like extra towels, flip flops, and hats is a super simple, one-time purchase that will wow your guests. For extra hosting points, store extra accessories in a large, tasteful basket. 

Sunscreen: If you’re going to have people over to spend time outdoors, having spare bottles of sunscreen on hand is a great idea and will make you the hero of the summer. 

Hydration: Water pitchers or a beverage server and cups for guests to self-serve poolside are the perfect touch.

Umbrellas: Assuming you have pool chairs and other deck furniture on lock already, don’t forget the umbrellas. A freestanding large umbrella or two for extra shade will never go amiss. You can even add a touch of whimsy and sun safety with hand-held umbrellas. 

From all of us at Pool Patrol, have a wonderful and safe pool season!

Locally owned & Canadian built for quality you can trust. Pool Patrol has been keeping families in British Columbia safe with quality automatic pool covers since 1995. If you’re curious about a pool cover installation in your backyard, contact Pool Patrol today.