A pool leaf cover is an essential piece of equipment when it comes to keeping the swimming pool water free of litter and debris, especially when it is not used for a long time. Fortunately, pool leaf covers can be used for both in-ground pools and above-ground pools.
You know that feeling you get when on the first day of swimming pool season you want nothing more than to catapult yourself into the cool pool on a balmy day, but you have to go through the bothersome task of using a rake to clear the surface of the pool of seeds, broken sticks, and dead leaves from surrounding trees prior to jumping in?
If that sounds all too familiar, it may be time to invest in a pool leaf cover. More often than not, heavier debris like acorns and birdseed sink to the bottom of the pool when left at the surface for an extended period of time.
It is situations like these where pool leaf covers prove to be very useful. Pool leaf covers are not very expensive and can be easily installed. Here are four simple steps to installing them the right way.
Step 1: Buying the Right Kind
Pool leaf covers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. First, take the time to measure the dimensions of the swimming pool and then go shopping to buy the proper pool leaf cover. Make sure the measurements are as accurate as possible.
With a pool leaf cover that is too small, you run the risk of repeating the past mistake of allowing excess junk entering your pool. There will always be a gap and entry point in the pool for squirrels to toss their nuts. You will save a lot of headaches, time, and money should you measure your pool correctly the first time.
A more popular pool leaf cover is a wide mesh net supported by a wide seam and aluminum grommets. These nets are made to allow water and light in but keep out large litter like acorns, leaves, and branches.
The mesh should be no more than a quarter-inch wide to prevent insects, twigs, and leaves from entering the pool water.
These are popular for both above-ground and in-ground swimming pools. Like I had previously mentioned, measure the dimensions to save time and money.
Step 2: Preparation for Installation
Responsible pool owners understand that it is in their best interest to have their water levels below the edge of the swimming pool. This ensures that the leaf net and cover are separated by a space of air.
This is crucial because any dirt or dust that could possibly be on the pool leaf cover could get into the water and contaminate it. Before placing the cover atop the water, you should use bacteria-killing chemicals to keep the water bacteria-free.
Choose a strong, heavy-duty pool leaf cover, but make sure it is also lightweight, so you don’t have to pay anyone for labor.
If you still have leaves or any floating garbage at the surface of the pool, get your leaf rake and clear it all out before putting on the cover. Additionally, consider building or placing something that shouldn’t be touched next to the pool to prevent people from walking on it.
Step 3: Utilizing the Cover
Before securing it in place, it is imperative that you set the pool leaf cover uniformly on the pool’s surface. If you have an above-ground pool, place the leaf cover on top of the pool and let some of the remaining portions on the edges of the pool.
The pool leaf covers typically come with a wire or tubes that pass through a seam in order to be set in place. Some pool leaf covers will come with hooks and grommets for extra support to keep the cover in place.
One challenge you can expect to run into is winds. The wind might displace the cover. How do you prevent this? Take the necessary preventive measures, which include adding a thin one-inch layer of water over the pool leaf cover after you have fixed it in place above the swimming pool.
This will stabilize the cover and decrease the likelihood of it being shifted out of place by the wind.
Step 4: Removal
So, the category one hurricane that was watched for 3 days just passed, and the entire neighborhood and everyone’s backyard is looking a mess. The sun pops out when you thought it wouldn’t, and it’s now 84˚F and absolutely beautiful.
So now, you, the kids, the neighbors, and the dog are ready to race to the backyard and take a dip in the pool but wait. There are leaves, pieces of shrubs, kindling, and garbage scattered all over the place and on top of your new above-ground pool. Bummer.
But wait, you previously purchased a pool leaf cover that more than likely served its purpose as a shield from all things that do not belong in a swimming pool. Hooray!
Hold your horses; you must be careful. When removing the pool leaf cover, remove it carefully and ensure that all the unwanted items that were accumulated on the surface of it do not fall into the swimming pool. That would defeat the entire purpose of the pool leaf cover.
Keep the Garbage Out
Keep the stud you don’t want out of your swimming pool. A pool leaf cover can help immensely with the clean up after a storm. In the Fall season, when the endless, leaves and branches are falling from the trees, a pool leaf cover will make swimming pool maintenance a cakewalk.
You might not even live in a geographic location that would require a winter or fall cover like this, but adding a leaf cover during the cooler season will help keep the algae from blooming in the pool – plan for the long term. You get a leaf cover at the end of the swimming season; you save yourself from unnecessary extra spring cleaning.
You use your outdoor swimming pool less during the nippier months, go ahead and get yourself a pool leaf cover: a low-cost investment and easy installation.
