Results for "mesh cover"

Winterizing Easy 20 minutes 364 👍 0

How Long Do Mesh Pool Covers Last? Complete Lifespan Guide

Pulled back my mesh pool cover this morning and noticed some wear patterns that definitely weren't there last season, making me wonder exactly how long these things are supposed to last.

What's the typical lifespan I should expect from a quality mesh cover? I've heard some last much longer than others, and I'm wondering if spending more upfront on better materials is worth it. I want something reliable that won't fail when we need it most.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2–4 hours (full closing day, including water adjustment and line blow-out) 126 👍 1

How Far to Lower Water When Closing Your Pool

Three weeks ago my husband and I bought our first house with an inground vinyl pool, and now everyone is telling us we need to close it for winter — but nobody can agree on exactly what that means. We have a mesh safety cover, and I've gotten completely opposite advice about how much water to drain out before we put it on. One neighbor says drop it below the skimmer, another says below the returns, and my pool store guy shrugged and said we might not even need to lower it at all with a mesh cover?

I honestly have no idea what any of those terms even mean yet, or where those parts are on my pool. I'm afraid of draining too much and damaging the liner, or not draining enough and having pipes freeze and crack over the winter. Is there a standard answer here, or does it really depend on what type of cover you're using?

Also — a few people have mentioned that the rules are different for above-ground pools and solid covers, and now I'm even more confused. Can someone break this down in plain language for a complete first-timer?…more

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Winterizing Medium 45 minutes 331 👍 0

Can Pool Covers Shrink? Prevention & Solutions Guide

Around three seasons ago I had the same shrinking problem with my old vinyl cover and stretching it worked fine — but this new one seems way tighter than last season. The edges don't reach as far as they used to, and I'm having to really stretch it to get it secured properly.

Is this actually a thing that happens? Can pool covers legitimately shrink over time? Mine's been through a pretty brutal summer with tons of sun, and I'll admit I probably didn't store it perfectly last winter. Just want to know if I need to accept that I'm gonna need a new cover or if there's something I could've done differently to prevent this!…more

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Pump Problems Easy 15 minutes 1,777 👍 0

Can You Run Pool Pump With Cover On? Safety & Efficiency

Between my morning coffee run and checking the backyard, I spotted my pool pump still humming away with yesterday's cover locked on tight. My primary concerns are maintaining adequate ventilation around the pump housing and ensuring optimal energy efficiency during covered operation periods.

Are there specific operational guidelines I should follow for different cover types (solar, safety, winter covers)? I want to verify that continuous pump operation won't create any mechanical stress or ventilation issues that could compromise system performance or safety parameters.…more

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Winterizing Medium 4-8 hours 1,246 👍 0

Can I Cover Pool After Shocking? When It's Safe to Cover

Staring at my pool Saturday morning with shock treatment planned — should I have the cover staged and ready to throw back on or do I need to wait?
The guy at the pool store mentioned something about waiting before putting the cover back on, but I honestly didn't catch all the details - there was so much information!

I'm worried about covering it too soon and maybe damaging the cover or something. How long should I wait after shocking before it's safe to put the cover back on? Is there a specific chlorine level I should be looking for? Any guidance would be really appreciated!…more

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Winter Maintenance Easy 2-3 hours 224 👍 0

Do You Need a Pool Cover Pump? Winter Pool Guide

Already dropped serious cash on winter prep, but before I skip the pool cover pump: I've had my 18x36 inground pool for about 4 years now. This is my second winter with the safety cover, and I'm noticing that after heavy rains and snowmelt, there's quite a bit of standing water pooling on top of the cover. Last year I just left it alone, but by spring the water was pretty gross looking and there was so much weight that the cover was sagging significantly in some areas. My neighbor mentioned something about cover pumps, but I'm not sure if I really need one or if it's just another unnecessary pool expense. The water doesn't seem to be going anywhere on its own, and I'm worried about potential damage to the cover or the pool underneath. What's the best approach here?…more

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Winterizing Medium 1-3 hours 337 👍 0

Can Pool Covers Be Repaired? Complete Repair Guide 2026

Finally got a chance to inspect my pool cover after last week's brutal storm, and it's completely shredded with way more damage than I originally spotted. The cover has sustained various types of damage over multiple seasons, including what appears to be small punctures, deteriorated fastening points, and compromised attachment mechanisms.

Specifically, I'm dealing with minor tears in the cover material, several broken grommets around the perimeter, and worn securing straps that no longer maintain proper tension. Before investing in a new cover system, I want to understand which of these damage types can be effectively repaired and what repair methodologies are available for different cover materials and hardware components.…more

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Winterizing Easy 45 minutes 286 👍 0

Do You Need to Cover Above Ground Pool? Complete Guide

Standing in my backyard staring at the swampy mess the previous owner called a pool that's been uncovered all winter. Every week I'm adding chlorine, algaecide, shock treatments - you name it. The water goes from crystal clear to swamp green faster than I can keep up with, and I'm spending a fortune on chemicals.

I keep debating whether I should just bite the bullet and get a pool cover, but I honestly don't know if it's worth the investment or if it'll actually help with all these water quality issues I'm having. Will covering it really make that much of a difference, especially during the colder months? I'm tired of throwing money at this thing but I want to keep enjoying my pool without breaking the bank.…more

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Winterizing Medium 2-3 hours 961 👍 16

Can Pool Covers Be Recycled? Complete Disposal Guide

Opened my pool storage shed yesterday to find my cover completely shredded after years of patches, and now I'm stuck with this massive tarp I can't dispose of properly. I really don't want to just throw it in the dumpster if there's a better option - it seems like such a waste!

I called my local recycling center and they had no clue what I was talking about. The cover is one of those vinyl ones with the foam backing, so it's not like it's a single material. Does anyone know if there are places that actually take these things? I'm hoping there's some specialized facility or program I don't know about, because sending this thing to a landfill feels wrong.…more

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Salt Water Medium 4-6 hours 338 👍 0

Do You Have to Cover a Salt Water Pool? Requirements Guide

Standing in front of my saltwater pool after following three conflicting YouTube tutorials about covers, I'm now more confused than when I started. I keep hearing mixed opinions - some neighbors swear by covers while others never bother.

I'm mainly wondering if there are any actual requirements I need to follow, and what the real benefits are beyond just keeping leaves out. Also, if I do decide to cover it, is there anything special I need to know about winterizing a salt water system? Don't want to accidentally mess up my salt cell or anything expensive like that!…more

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Maintenance Medium 4-6 hours 277 👍 0

How to Winterize Your Pool: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Tried winterizing my pool last week using online guides, but algae is already forming — did I screw up the process somehow? What's the proper order? Chemistry first or cleaning? How low should water go? What chemicals do I need?

Don't want to mess this up and deal with a green swamp come spring. Last year skipped some steps and regretted it.…more

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Winterizing Easy Ongoing — 2–4 weeks of patience, then 2–3 hours to close 58 👍 0

What Water Temp Is Safe to Close Your Pool?

My neighbor closed her pool two weeks ago and keeps telling me I should have done the same, but my water is still sitting in the low 70s°F and I'm genuinely torn. Trying to decide between shutting everything down now in late September versus waiting another few weeks to see if temperatures drop more. I have a 20,000-gallon inground with a mesh safety cover, and I really don't want to pull it off in spring to find a swamp underneath.

Everybody seems to have an opinion on closing timing, but I can't find anyone who actually gives a specific water temperature to aim for. Is 72°F still too warm? Will algae keep growing under the cover if I close now, or does it just stop once I add the closing chemicals and block the sunlight? I'd love to understand what's actually happening chemically so I can make the right call rather than just guessing.…more

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Maintenance Easy 15 minutes research 294 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Blanket? Complete Cover Benefits Guide

Staring at a $300 solar cover and a $500 safety cover trying to decide if either one is actually worth it. We swim maybe four months out of the year and the pool loses heat overnight like crazy. Does a pool blanket really make that much of a difference or is it just another pool industry upsell?…more

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Above Ground Medium 4-6 hours initial setup, monthly maintenance 457 👍 0

Can You Leave Above Ground Pool Up All Year? Winter Guide

Halfway through winter prep I've tried partial winterization, full chemical shutdown, and running it with a heater — but I'm still getting conflicting advice about leaving my above ground pool up year-round.

Is it actually possible to leave my above ground pool up through winter and do the winterization myself? What really needs to be done to prevent damage, and can I skip some of these expensive add-ons they keep pushing? I'd rather invest time than keep throwing money at the pool store every season.…more

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Maintenance Medium 1-3 days for installation 514 👍 2

Pool Fence Requirements: Do You Need One? Safety Guide 2026

According to my contractor, I'm looking at $3,200 for pool fencing and wondering if it's actually legally required before my installation is complete.

Anyone know the actual requirements? Like how deep does a pool have to be before you need fencing, and are there specific rules about the fence height or gate types? Just want to make sure I'm following all the safety regulations and not getting hit with any surprise violations from the city!…more

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