We are relatively new homeowners and just got the inground pool up and running again this year with a new liner and some other repairs. We have a lot of trees and get tons of leaves in the fall. We get a good amount of snow and several accumulations and thaws. We have a baby daughter and want to make sure she stays safe over future winters as she gets older. The current cover is trashed and I can't find a brand name or serial number on it. I've looked into duplication of the current cover, but I'm told that it was the wrong size for the steps on our pool.
Due to the leaves, I've ruled out all-mesh covers - don't want them clogging the mesh, longer spring cleanup of both pool and cover, etc. I'm leaning towards a solid cover with center mesh panel so I don't have to manage a pump on the cover, just occasionally check on the water in the pool and pump it down if needed.
But I'm having trouble deciding which cover to buy. I guess I have some sticker shock on the safety cover prices.
It's a 18'x36' pool with 40"x80" steps on the left side, 32" offset.
So options are:
Under $300: Vinyl tarp with water bags. Can be unsightly. Not very safe for the little one when she gets older. (Or even me, I carelessly fell into the cover while sweeping leaves this spring and even the torn, worn-out safety cover saved me from falling into an empty pool).
$900: HPI Aquamaster solid cover, mesh center panel with universal left step. This is more or less a vinyl cover with a coating. Not sure how long it'd last. Has extra padding around the step area. Water Warden has similar offerings.
$1500-1700: Loop Loc or Meyco sold covers with mesh center panels. These are stock sizes, but don't have a perfect fit for the steps, so they may wear faster.
$2000-2200: Loop Loc or Meyco solid covers, center mesh panels, custom sized to fit the steps. Should last 15 years if maintained and cared for.
$2000+ is tough to swallow when a regular tarp is less than $300. I'm leaning towards the stock Loop Loc or Meyco to save a little. Can I just add extra padding around the steps myself?
Due to the leaves, I've ruled out all-mesh covers - don't want them clogging the mesh, longer spring cleanup of both pool and cover, etc. I'm leaning towards a solid cover with center mesh panel so I don't have to manage a pump on the cover, just occasionally check on the water in the pool and pump it down if needed.
But I'm having trouble deciding which cover to buy. I guess I have some sticker shock on the safety cover prices.
It's a 18'x36' pool with 40"x80" steps on the left side, 32" offset.
So options are:
Under $300: Vinyl tarp with water bags. Can be unsightly. Not very safe for the little one when she gets older. (Or even me, I carelessly fell into the cover while sweeping leaves this spring and even the torn, worn-out safety cover saved me from falling into an empty pool).
$900: HPI Aquamaster solid cover, mesh center panel with universal left step. This is more or less a vinyl cover with a coating. Not sure how long it'd last. Has extra padding around the step area. Water Warden has similar offerings.
$1500-1700: Loop Loc or Meyco sold covers with mesh center panels. These are stock sizes, but don't have a perfect fit for the steps, so they may wear faster.
$2000-2200: Loop Loc or Meyco solid covers, center mesh panels, custom sized to fit the steps. Should last 15 years if maintained and cared for.
$2000+ is tough to swallow when a regular tarp is less than $300. I'm leaning towards the stock Loop Loc or Meyco to save a little. Can I just add extra padding around the steps myself?