Explaining the value and benefits of covered pools to homeowners

by jason_cramp | January 16, 2016 4:30 pm

By Michael Willis

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Over the last decade, watershape designers and builders have been pushing the limits of what can be created with water. Even in cold climates, builders are incorporating features what were thought only to be possible in regions with warmer weather, where the limitations are fewer. Building pools in cold regions requires excessive engineering and solid construction techniques to be able to withstand the yearly onslaught of snow, ice, and frost. As the temperature drops, it is an inevitable fact that most pools, spas/hot tubs, and water features go through some sort of winterization or seasonal shutdown.

Next to the purchase of a home, a backyard project is generally the second largest investment a homeowner will ever make. Some may be hesitant to invest a significant amount of money towards something that may only be used a short period of time, as the money invested in a project is directly linked with the usability of the pool and, unfortunately, pools are closed almost as long as they are open due to Canada’s short swimming season. This is the time when designers and builders can step in and explain the many benefits of owning a pool, spa/hot tub, or water feature that is equipped with some form of cover—whether an automatic cover or a winter safety cover.

Great value can be placed on the ability to commence the swimming season sooner, and extend it into the colder months, with the simple use of a pool cover. With the correct design and construction considerations, it is even feasible to continue using the waterscape year-round.

Benefits of adding a cover to a project

With safety being the top concern with any body of water, a cover offers peace of mind that the pool and or spa/hot tub is a safe and secure environment when it is not being used. Drowning is the second leading cause of preventable death for children under 10, while those under the age of five are most at risk. By adding a safety cover, the potential risk of drowning is reduced. While a cover is a great safety element, it is not a replacement or substitution for proper supervision of children or individuals in the pool area.

The benefits extend beyond just safety, however. For instance, a cover leads to a more energy conscience design with added heat retention, lower circulation requirements, decreased chemical consumption, less water makeup needed due to evaporation, ease of installation/removal, and the added overall esthetic appeal. Installing any type of cover will cost more up front, but the long-term return on investment (ROI) can be significant.

Cover types

Safety covers can be grouped into two categories:

1. 
Winter safety covers, solid and mesh.
2. 
Automatic covers, traditional track automatic safety covers and floating slat covers.

Automatic covers

With the increase of pool and spa/hot tub automation, the integration of automatic covers into today’s watershape designs makes perfect sense. With the push of a button, turnkey, or coded keypad, homeowners are able to open or close an automatic cover with ease.

Automatic safety covers are one of the best components of a multi-barrier backyard safety system. Once closed, the surface of the pool is sealed, eliminating the possibility of access by a child or adult. Initial costs may appear intimidating to homeowners, but the overall benefits tend to make these products a worthwhile purchase. Since most heat loss and water usage is caused by evaporation, simply covering the pool can help reduce heating expenses by 70 per cent and pool refill costs by up to 90 per cent. Sanitation and maintenance expenses are also reduced, as less debris enters the pool, thus reducing chemical consumption, which is also lowered by the decrease in chemical evaporation.

The basics

Most traditional track automatic safety covers are equipped with similar components and mechanical features. Installation procedures and methods vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but for the most part are the same. Automatic floating slat covers function similar to traditional automatic safety covers, but differ 
in some components and installation procedures.

The type of cover selected depends on the functionality of the cover in relation to the design of the watershape and the desired use by the client. The major difference between these covers is deciding on a system that simply shields the pool or one that provides security.

Both offer most of the same features and benefits; however, the one difference is the safety aspect, as a floating slat cover does not seal at the water’s edge and, thus, is not approved as a safety cover.

Track automatic safety cover

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Traditional track automatic safety covers can be installed on all types of pools. Mechanical systems remain virtually the same whether the structure is concrete, vinyl, or fibreglass. Determining the appropriate system to use depends on the overall design and construction of the watershape. For new projects, it is important to incorporate the automatic cover components early in the design and engineering stage. This is also equally important for renovations or remodels, which have some limitations in comparison to new construction. Further, how a cover system is incorporated into the design depends on the extent of the renovation (e.g. adding surface mount tracks to an existing deck surface) or completely restructuring the pool shell to accommodate a recessed mechanical cover bunker.

Typical cover components

Track automatic safety covers comprise many components. The cover material is usually a heavy-duty vinyl fabric and reinforcing mesh combination that is engineered to be chemical-, ultraviolet (UV)-, and abrasion-resistant. The cover material is attached to a leading-edge bar at one end of the pool and a roll-up drum or tube at the other. The cover edges have webbing that is attached to ropes or cables which are used to operate (open/close) the system. These ropes or cables are guided through an aluminum track (known as an extrusion) which may be mounted on the side of the pool structure. Multiple extrusion options are available depending on the cover’s design.

The most seamless extrusion (especially for new construction) is an under-guide track or in-wall track, as they are mounted on the underside of the coping or encapsulated into the pool deck or wall. This method gives the best overall esthetic appearance of any of the track options and is mainly used on rectangular pools.

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Another option is the top-guide or surface-mount track. These tracks are located outside the pool perimeter on the topside of 
the pool deck and are used when working with a freeform pool design. They are also ideal for pool renovation projects. The cover ropes or cables are attached to a drive mechanism, which consists of an electric- or hydraulic-driven winch that winds or unwinds the ropes or cables to open/close the cover. The roll-up drum or tube is attached to the cover and drive mechanism, which are located at  one end of the pool in a cover box or housing. The standard housing available from the manufacturer is usually constructed of plastic or resin. The housing is covered with a hinged lid that allows access to the cover’s mechanical equipment for maintenance and servicing.

Although functional, designers and builders alike have realized the standard housing provided with an automatic cover is not always easy to incorporate into the overall design and esthetic appeal of most projects. As a result, unique methods of concealing the mechanical components of these covers are a necessity. Many approach the design by incorporating a concrete housing or bunker to house the mechanical components, as the bunker lid can be constructed using a range of materials.

That said, a structural concrete lid is the ideal choice, as it can be formed to span the housing and is reinforced with structural steel, which enables the lid to be cantilevered from the back structure of the concrete cover housing. Another option is the use of heavy-duty steel brackets which are capable of supporting various decking materials such as natural stone pavers, concrete, and wood. When installing any type of cover 
with a more permanent housing lid, it is important to incorporate a hatch or removable section to allow access to the cover equipment for future adjustments and servicing.

For renovations or installations where a recessed cover bunker is not possible, a raised decking box can be incorporated into the design. A stepped platform with planters or a water feature such as water descents or spouts can be incorporated to draw attention away from the cover housing.

Automatic floating slat covers

Automatic floating slat covers function similar 
to automatic track safety covers, but do not rely 
on a leading bar with ropes and tracks. The cover comprises rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) slats which are joined together with a hinge-like connection. The slats are connected to a drive shaft which is driven by a hydraulic pump mechanism. With the absence of an electric motor at the pool, the cover is able to retract from a water-filled reservoir adjacent to, or mounted internally below, the pool structure. The slats wind onto the drive shaft as the cover is opened, and float to the surface to cover the pool.

Floating slat covers can be cut to fit any pool shape or configuration. This type of cover is popular with designers incorporating vanishing edges or perimeter over flow designs. Since these covers require no tracks or leading bars, builders almost have total freedom with their designs and the complexity involved with the edge details on these pools. However, as mentioned previously, be cautious on the requirement of the cover by the homeowner, as these systems are not approved 
as a ‘safety’ cover.

Winter safety covers

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Once the outside temperature has reached a point where pool usage is low, and energy costs related to water maintenance becomes impractical, the annual winterization process begins. A tarp-type cover with water tubes/water bags was the standard when it came to covering most pools. However, tarp covers have their downsides, as they tend to be full of wrinkles, collect surface debris and stagnant water, and until the water in the pool freezes, they pose a major entrapment concern for children, pets, and wild animals.

With the growing scale of residential watershapes, it makes little sense to install an unattractive cover on a pool that was designed to be esthetically pleasing. A winter safety cover provides a clean, sleek, and attractive look to any backyard and is the most secure system for pool winterization. These covers can be manufactured to fit any pool type and/or shape and are available in a number of colours.

Mesh safety covers

These safety covers are constructed with a strong woven polypropylene mesh. All of these covers must conform to the standard performance specification set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Most manufacturers provide a 15-year pro-rated warranty with their covers, while some safety covers may even qualify for reductions in home liability insurance.

To install these cover systems, anchor points are drilled into the surface of the pool patio, raised wall, boulders, or water features. They can be fastened and anchored into most forms of decking, including concrete, interlocking pavers, natural stone, wood, composite materials, and lawn or garden bed areas. These anchors generally comprise a brass sleeve that is hammered into the drilled hole and have a screw-type fastener with a hex head to attach the steel springs, using tension to keep the cover tight and in place. Further, the springs allow the cover to flex as ice and snow accumulate, or to support the weight of a child, adult, or family pet. Upon opening the pool for the season, a technician will remove the cover springs from the anchors and screw in the fastener so it is flush with the deck.

As the mesh allows water, ice, and snow to penetrate, there is no need to pump accumulated winter precipitation off of the cover. This conserves water, which is required to re-fill the pool to operating level and makes the spring start-up procedure quicker and more efficient. That said, it should be expressed to clients that some fine surface debris will pass through the cover mesh, which will leave some sediment in the water upon start-up; however, this can be easily resolved with a quick pool vacuuming.

Solid safety covers

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Solid safety covers share identical cover components and installation methods as mesh systems. The difference, however, is standing water cannot pass through the cover; nor can light, which aids in the prevention of algae growth. Due to the former, these covers require a sump pump or drainage holes positioned throughout the cover to allow water to drain freely.

Measuring

Manufacturers of mesh safety covers rely heavily on the accuracy of the measurements provided by the cover installer. Standard shapes such as a rectangle can be easily measured by providing the length and width of the pool. Freeform- or lagoon-shaped pools require the use of A-B point triangulation. This method requires the installer to establish a point from A to B followed by measurements at intervals of approximately 305 mm (12 in.) (or smaller) along the entire pool perimeter. Any obstruction within 305 mm (12 in.) of the pool’s edge should be noted so the manufacturer can make the correct cut-outs for the cover.

The greater the accuracy, the easier it becomes for the cover designer to scale out the drawing using computer-aided design (CAD) software. This allows the designer to accurately map out the entire layout of the pool with all its decking and potential obstructions. As much details as possible should be forwarded to the manufacturer (e.g. pool construction plans, project photographs 
from multiple angles, etc.). These methods enable the manufacturer to not only provide the installer with 
the safest and strongest anchoring points, but also an accurately fitted cover.

With the ever growing ingenuity of watershape designers and builders, and the addition of complicated water features, raised walls, zero-edge (perimeter overflow) and vanishing-edge designs, even greater accuracy is necessary when measuring for safety covers. Certain areas pertaining to the accurate fit and support of these covers also need to be taken into consideration. For instance, anchors may need to be fastened into wall surfaces or with steel cables to achieve the necessary strength to handle the required load. Therefore, any peripheral materials being drilled into need to be structurally sound. Projects using imported stone, glass tiles, or other foreign materials may not be suitable to support anchoring and should be assessed prior to cover selection.

As designers and builders in colder climates, it is important to explain to the homeowner the benefits and options that suit their particular project. Extending the usability, efficiency, and safety of a watershape should always be the end goal of any project. At the end of the day, a satisfied homeowner with a dream backyard is the added bonus.

[6]Michael Willis is an aquatic designer and partner at Roger Willis Contracting Ltd., which specializes in unique, custom aquatic projects based in Ottawa, Ont. He works 
in various fields—from project design to completion—and builds throughout eastern Ontario and the Caribbean. He is a member of the Master Pools Guild, Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTCC), and Landscape Ontario Horticulture Trades Association. He can be reached via e-mail at michael@rogerwilliscontracting.com[7].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/explaining-the-value-and-benefits-of-covered-pools-to-homeowners/

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