Pool child fence vs automated pool cover?

[BPool18]

Hi all! We have a 22,000 gallon kidney shaped in ground pool (built in 2014, SWCG). We have a fence around a backyard where the pool is ,but our daughter just turned 1, and is almost walking, so we are looking at steps to take to ensure more direct safety on the pool for her specifically. One option is to install something like this https://www.protectachild.com/. The quote for our pool (materials and install) is around $4-5k.

There are some other DIY options that are likely cheaper, but that requires you to drill yourself into the concrete - and don’t think we want to do that ourselves.

That being said, another option (especially if spending 4-5k) is to get an automated pool cover, as I believe this would also provide the same protection when the pool is not on use. I realize that it’s more money, and may a bit more completed since it is kidney shaped (I believe requires a top/on deck track), but there would be other benefits as well (easier to keep pool clean, heat retention, etc). We are getting a couple of quotes for this in the next week to so.

Wanted to come here to ask — others who have been in this similar situation…what has worked best for you/your family?

 

[wgipe]

Hi all! We have a 22,000 gallon kidney shaped in ground pool (built in 2014, SWCG). We have a fence around a backyard where the pool is ,but our daughter just turned 1, and is almost walking, so we are looking at steps to take to ensure more direct safety on the pool for her specifically. One option is to install something like this https://www.protectachild.com/. The quote for our pool (materials and install) is around $4-5k.

There are some other DIY options that are likely cheaper, but that requires you to drill yourself into the concrete - and don’t think we want to do that ourselves.

That being said, another option (especially if spending 4-5k) is to get an automated pool cover, as I believe this would also provide the same protection when the pool is not on use. I realize that it’s more money, and may a bit more completed since it is kidney shaped (I believe requires a top/on deck track), but there would be other benefits as well (easier to keep pool clean, heat retention, etc). We are getting a couple of quotes for this in the next week to so.

Wanted to come here to ask — others who have been in this similar situation…what has worked best for you/your family?

We are about an hour north of you and went with an auto cover. The cost made me a little sick, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. So long as it doesn't bother you to keep it covered when not in use, it is far safer than any fence. We also heat our pool from late April - late September or so, and the cover makes it cost-effective to do so with our cool nights.

 

[Jejunum]

Not the reply you want, but what we did. Both for our pool (automatic pool cover and fenced in pool). No safety device is full proof and having layers improves my state of mind..

 

[an1vrsy]

We went back and forth with the decision for an autocover or a pool fence. We decided for the autocover. A couple of reason. One, we wanted a rectangular shaped pool for the under coping tracks. Two, the Las Vegas city pool permit specified all exterior backyard doors must have alarms unless you had an autocover. During our owner build we went with the autocover and love the peace of mind we have knowing our young grandchildren (4 & 3 yr old) can not fall in with the cover closed. When the cover is open, we are all in the backyard.

 

[BPool18]

Thanks to all the replies so far. would be there anything “negative” about having to do a top track automated cover (since mine is not rectangular)? More costly? Worse aesthetics?

One other question for @an1vrsy….what type of alarms does the city require? I’ve heard some alarms are better than others. Curious if you knew some of the ones that are recommended.

 

[Uhhello]

Thanks to all the replies so far. would be there anything “negative” about having to do a top track automated cover (since mine is not rectangular)? More costly? Worse aesthetics?

One other question for @an1vrsy….what type of alarms does the city require? I’ve heard some alarms are better than others. Curious if you knew some of the ones that are recommended.

Every county will be different. I'm very glad we don't have young children anymore as the alarm system required here would be VERY aggravating.

 

[Foxer]

We also have an autocover, planned from the start. We had to have 2 protections, one being the fence around the yard, so an autocover made sense and they are quite common in my area. I have young kids, and wouldn’t have considered not having it (along with the other benefits mentioned already)

We do have friends with an autocover that has a track on top of the deck. It doesn’t look as bad as I thought it might - it’s actually fairly low profile and blends in well. I don’t even give it a second thought.

 

[ajw22]

Thanks to all the replies so far. would be there anything “negative” about having to do a top track automated cover (since mine is not rectangular)? More costly? Worse aesthetics?

The track has to run above your deck over a rectangular area. And the motor mechanism and cover reel needs to be in a box at one end of the pool.

You can’t hide things afterwards the way you can during a rectangle pool build.

 

[an1vrsy]

@BPool18 we never researched the required door alarms for our build due to the fact we selected an autocover.

 

[bradgray]

The track has to run above your deck over a rectangular area. And the motor mechanism and cover reel needs to be in a box at one end of the pool.

You can’t hide things afterwards the way you can during a rectangle pool build.

+1

Autocovers will also have maintenance costs. The liners don't last forever, motors wear out and the ropes can snap. I'd plan on an average of $1000 a year on maintenance (also think of that cumulatively); that's about what we see on our accounts with the covers.

 

[an1vrsy]

Modern covers are not as maintenance heavy as you may believe. This March I will have had my Cover Pools T-4 autocover for 2 years. Initial cost is/was expensive, I haven't had any maintenance costs so far. I did call out the installers for the one year maintenance check up, which was free. When I call them out this year, they'll probably charge me labor.

I do not expect the stainless steel cable to snap, ever. But I can not predict the future.

 

[BPool18]

Thanks. While we are getting quotes for the auto cover, I continue to think the mesh fence around the perimeter may be the way to go. With an auto cover, the pool would be open any time we are outside. So while safety protection would Be there if we weren’t outside, there could be risks associated with it being open, back turned, etc while outside. I think the fence may be the only way to really solve for that concern.

 

[mgtfp]

Pool fences are required here in Australia by law. And we don't want to miss it. Our son is old enough, but sometimes his friends' smaller siblings come over, or we have friends visiting with small kids.

We have a combination of glass (very common in Australia) where we look at the pool from the house, and metal where we look at vegetation in the background. We like the pool to be open at all times, as the pool is quite close to the house, and we prefer to look at water rather than a cover.

 

[bradgray]

Modern covers are not as maintenance heavy as you may believe. This March I will have had my Cover Pools T-4 autocover for 2 years. Initial cost is/was expensive, I haven't had any maintenance costs so far. I did call out the installers for the one year maintenance check up, which was free. When I call them out this year, they'll probably charge me labor.

I do not expect the stainless steel cable to snap, ever. But I can not predict the future.

Our area uses APC, Pool Cover Specialists, and Latham with Coverstar LV systems, and they all have the same upkeep more or less.

It's a law of averages, for sure. So one account has very few problems, then the neighboring account has frequent. Some repairs are a few hundred, others are $3K.

We just always make sure clients understand that the investment continues. We love autocovers when they work! They save use a ton of labor.

 

[reggiehammond]

We have powder coated aluminum fencing around our pool. I wouldn't expect it to cost significantly more than the mesh style fencing, while looking quite a bit better. Similar to this product: » 48 Inch High Solon Residential Pool Fence

To me, fencing fits the aesthetics we want around the pool much better than any cover would.

I think it's important to put as many layers as possible between your child, their friends, future grandkids, etc as possible. There are simply too many drownings, too easily, to not spend the $$ to do it right.

It might help the group if you share some photos of your yard for other ideas/options.

 

[Bperry]

Hi all! We have a 22,000 gallon kidney shaped in ground pool (built in 2014, SWCG). We have a fence around a backyard where the pool is ,but our daughter just turned 1, and is almost walking, so we are looking at steps to take to ensure more direct safety on the pool for her specifically. One option is to install something like this https://www.protectachild.com/. The quote for our pool (materials and install) is around $4-5k.

There are some other DIY options that are likely cheaper, but that requires you to drill yourself into the concrete - and don’t think we want to do that ourselves.

That being said, another option (especially if spending 4-5k) is to get an automated pool cover, as I believe this would also provide the same protection when the pool is not on use. I realize that it’s more money, and may a bit more completed since it is kidney shaped (I believe requires a top/on deck track), but there would be other benefits as well (easier to keep pool clean, heat retention, etc). We are getting a couple of quotes for this in the next week to so.

Wanted to come here to ask — others who have been in this similar situation…what has worked best for you/your family?

My advice is maybe not so popular but I think it’s the best. I grew up around a pool with no cover and no fence. My parents did not let me in the backyard without adult supervision until I passed a swim test of which I did at a very young age, and even then they’d be just inside watching us kids swim.

Do not count on any safety “device” to protect your children. If they are in the backyard, watch them the same as you would as if there were no cover or fence. Teach them to swim often and early. (I’ve seen super-8 video tape of my father teaching me to swim before I could walk).

Teach them how to swim with clothing on by making them actually do it. They’ll love it! We (and every single friend who came over) had to be able to jump in the pool fully clothed, remove the extra clothing down to our swim trunks and tread water for several minutes in order to be allowed to swim without their parents being present.

Teach them how to grab a pole and help drag someone else who has fallen in the pool back to the edge and not get pulled into the pool themselves. And to never get in the water with someone who is in trouble and can’t swim. (I’ll admit if one of my kids were in that position I’d ignore this rule…)

Teach them to jump and dive safely, about what to do if someone needs help, who to call. Make sure an adult always knows when someone is swimming or in the backyard.

I get the desire to protect kids, but even the best protection device is defeated by kids or pets. So don’t replace training and instruction with one of those devices. Teach them to respect the water and give them experience in what do to if and when there is trouble. If you think you need it, treat the fence as an extra step taken and not the primary step.

 

[Newdude]

+1. We grew up with water everywhere and my Mom had us pass swimming lessons at an early age to remove *some* worry.

Once my own (little) kids passed their fully clothed swimming test, it helped alot to know that even if they fell in somewhere in the middle of the winter, they'd have a fighting chance.

The second layer of protection was the respect of the water

The third layer was the fence.

 

[wireform]

I insist all my pools get a large sign zip tied to the fence in full view of the pool in case of an emergency. The sign has a very clear instructions to call 911: YOU'RE AT ADDRESS....... AND HOUSE PHONE# ......
Incase they somehow screw up the address the phone # will get emergency services to the same place. I've been thanked many times and in 2 instances it was used with happy outcomes. When an emergency happens at the pool people forget where they are and a guest may know how to get to your house but may not necessarily know the address off the top of their head.

 

[Lynn5707]

Hi,

We moved into our house with a pool summer of 2017. Shortly after we moved in we added a fence inside our fence. We debated on installing an auto cover as they are so expensive. While we don’t have small children that live here, we do have a lot of small grandkids. We had an auto cover installed fall of 2021, which although to us very expensive ($12,000+), worth every penny. We love it! It helps so much in the summer. Some, not all, of the safety things we do is there is always an adult poolside. We hear of so many tragedies when people are running in and out of the house, also we will close the cover for example if we decide to eat. The kids are told they cannot go to the pool unless an adult is outside at the pool. One time an older grandson went to the pool to get a shirt he left outside, one of our toddlers followed him, and luckily my husband and daughter were watching and went out with them. Our older grandson thought It was ok he walked out there as he wasn’t going to swim, and didn’t think about his younger brother following him. So, that is when we decided to get the cover and we will open and close it as needed during the day when kids are here swimming.

We still have the fence inside the main fence. Not a safety fence, but it is another barrier.

One thing I would do differently- I see you are in Cincinnati- we are just south of Indianapolis. We sold our old safety cover, which I wish we would have kept to use in the winter. We still may get another one for next winter, but if you have one now, I would keep it.

Sorry for the long post.

edited to add: We do have tracks along the side of the pool and we don’t really notice them. We did have them put the motor in a trench at the end of the pool instead of a box so we could keep the diving board. While it isn’t like one put in during a pool build, we think it is fine.

 

[wireform]

I believe that the "after build pool cover" wether the tracks are raised on the deck or not may depend if it's done when the deck is redone completely or just cut in. I think if the deck is going in after the tracks it'd be pretty much flush without protruding.