Autocover vs Fence/Winter Safety over

[sadds]

I started another thread asking about help with organizing my thoughts for pool construction. I am back with a follow up question. We have had our pool bid with an autocover and that was initially a non negotiable. We want the safety primaryily, but we also have lots of trees and a big dog. The autocover has some major drawbacks, however.

We want a rectangular pool, but would like some bump outs and that is not possible/easy with the autocover. Also, we have a sunshelf on one end and a slide at the other. Due to this, the cover lid will have to over the sunshelf. I am concerned the cover might look bad, or not retract fully in this area. Also, unless we want to spend $5,500 extra, we will have a large aluminum lid.

What are peoples thoughts on safety of the cover vs a specific pool fence? I think I would also get a winter safety cover (is that what they are called?). We could place this in the fall/winter when the trees drop or when we were out of town on vacation for peace of mind no neighborhood kids would get in our pool. Not sure how big of a PIA those are to take on/off.

Our kids are 6 and 4 now. Likely 5 and 7 by the time the pool is acually very usable. The 6 year old swims very well and the 4 year old can swim. Our inlaws have a pool about 15 min away so they have all been swimming since they were babies.

The cover seems like it will be better peace of mind, but in a couple more years I am not sure we would actually use it day to day.

 

[RLP]

I put my first pool ever in last year. I have the CoverPools safety cover.

The pool was put in April 2022, and the cover was installed in September. So we went the first summer with out it. The pool stayed open untill about November 15 last year, I keep the water about 92 degrees. My wife likes it that warm. (.Shes been through some medical stuff, the pool is like therapy (Mentally.)

Now that we have used it this year, I can tell you I would not own a pool without it. I have a Looplock cover for the winter, the auto cover stays rolled up in the vault.

I opened on about April 20. I started the heater and the day, my water was 92 degrees The next evening. Been there ever since.

The cover is worth every penny. We have quite a few trees in the back yard, and its way easier to blow leaves off of the cover, and not have to deal with them in the water. This goes for the pollen, and the stuff that comes off of the trees in the spring.

 

[jark87]

We have a Katchaleaf cover, which isn’t a safety net, but is necessary in our yard to keep leaves out in the fall, as our pool is surrounded by lots of trees. They have a safety net add-on that is called Katchakid.

We have a freeform pool and spa and the cover is custom fit. We’ve had it for 16 years and it doesn’t have a single tear in it. The installation is great - anchors are stamped into the decking, so they’re not even noticeable. Net comes with a manual roller, which is just made out of PVC. We store it behind a fence section that hides our pool equipment. They also included a couple of cylindrical pieces of styrofoam that help add tension and keep the net surface taut.

Putting the net on and taking it off requires a little effort, but nothing that’s too difficult. It comes with a tool to help pull the last several hooks into the anchors once the net starts getting taut. I’m 60 and able to put it on and take it off by myself.

 

[Bperry]

I grew up with a pool that had no cover at all at any time. The backyard was fenced though. Don’t count on a cover, fence, or any other thing to protect your kids. If they are in the pool area/backyard, an adult watching them needs to be too.

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

I grew up with a pool that had no cover at all at any time. The backyard was fenced though. Don’t count on a cover, fence, or any other thing to protect your kids. If they are in the pool area/backyard, an adult watching them needs to be too.

Agree 100% on this. We have a new install that we opened in April. We agreed that a cover was not a replacement for adult eyes. As a result, we elected not to cover.

Some may say it’s irresponsible. We feel it keeps us attentive.

 

[RLP]

If you have a pool you should teach your kids to swim at an early age. I was literally sink or swim at a very young age.

My brother brought my nieces over a while ago. (he had a pool when they bought the house.) The 3 year old takes off and jumps right in the deep end. Doggie paddles right to the steps and does it again, and again, and again. Im tired just thinking about it.

 

[sadds]

We like the idea of the autocover since you literally cannot get in without the code. Am I mistaken on that? Obviously they shouldn't be playing in it ir anything stupid, but if they fell on the cover it would be fine, correct?

 

[RLP]

Mine has a door that locks with a key over the switch.

 

[Bperry]

We like the idea of the autocover since you literally cannot get in without the code. Am I mistaken on that? Obviously they shouldn't be playing in it ir anything stupid, but if they fell on the cover it would be fine, correct?

Anything can be bypassed or fail. Maybe the cover doesn’t get closed, maybe a hole rips in it, maybe 100 other things happen you don’t anticipate.

 

[RLP]

Same thing with a fence or a door alarm. The gate could be propped open, and kids can climb things like nobody's business.

I think the cover is superior. It takes away the visual attraction to the pool.

But your right, it has to be covered to provide protection.

 

[flynwill]

I'm an advocate of auto-covers. They keep the pool cleaner and warmer in addition to the significant safety benefit. However they really only work well on a pure rectangle. They can cover odd shapes with deck-mounted tracks, but that often doesn't work well. If it were me I would modify the design to keep incorporate all the features into the rectangle shape, so that all can be covered. (Your slide would overhang the water but not meet the water line for example).

 

[sadds]

So..consensus is that autocover is safer than 5 foot safety no climb vinyl fence?

 

[RLP]

I personally wouldnt go so far as to say it was "safer".

I like the idea that it takes away the visual "attractive" aspect of the pool. If a child cant see it, he isnt going to try to get in it.

But that only applies if the cover is closed.

 

[an1vrsy]

I/we have a Cover Pools autocover. I would not have built the pool without it. The best time to put it in is during the pool build. For my wife and I, there were more pros for an autocover than cons. For some an autocover is cost prohibitive. For us, cost was not a factor in our decision making in that our grandkids are more precious than an additional $10k to $13k added to the pool build.

The posts in this thread are both for an autocover and others feel it is not necessary. However, some type of safety mechanism for the pool must be installed. As mentioned, a fence can be climbed over, alarms on doors can be annoying and people take out the batteries which defeats the purpose. Unless someone comes out with a machete, they are not falling through our closed autocover. Parents or pool owners still have to be attentive. Aesthetics? When closed it looks ok to me, but I am biased... Everyone who visits our home, if the cover is closed, knows what is underneath it. At our place the cover when closed blends in to the overall look of our backyard landscape, too.

 

[Kaylee34]

Any safety mechanism can be forgotten, fail or be defeated. A determined kid is amazingly creative and given time they WILL find a workaround if they want it bad enough.

Regardless of which safety feature or combination thereof you choose, nothing will ever replace vigilance. That combined with absolute inviolate rules regarding the pool will be your first, best line of defense. Autocover, alarms, no-climb fences, etc should be secondary.

 

[Bperry]

I/we have a Cover Pools autocover. I would not have built the pool without it. The best time to put it in is during the pool build. For my wife and I, there were more pros for an autocover than cons. For some an autocover is cost prohibitive. For us, cost was not a factor in our decision making in that our grandkids are more precious than an additional $10k to $13k added to the pool build.

The posts in this thread are both for an autocover and others feel it is not necessary. However, some type of safety mechanism for the pool must be installed. As mentioned, a fence can be climbed over, alarms on doors can be annoying and people take out the batteries which defeats the purpose. Unless someone comes out with a machete, they are not falling through our closed autocover. Parents or pool owners still have to be attentive. Aesthetics? When closed it looks ok to me, but I am biased... Everyone who visits our home, if the cover is closed, knows what is underneath it. At our place the cover when closed blends in to the overall look of our backyard landscape, too.

There’s no requirement for a cover though there may be requirements to fence the yard the pool is in.

I’m more on the opposite side. I tend to believe the covers can provide a false sense of security. Covers can tear after being exposed to UV light, or left open unexpectedly, kids can be very creative in figuring out how to look under covers and get into locked rooms. My buddies and I climbed neighbors fences all day long as 8 year old kids (45 years ago). It may be I’m biased from growing up in a pool without a cover and being taught to swim very early as an infant. We were taught very early to understand the danger and respect it. Not only that, but taught how to rescue myself from the water if I fall in fully clothed, how to rescue someone else if they fall in. No kids were allowed in the yard without an adult. Once we were teenagers they relaxed this a bit and my mother would hang out just inside while we swam, but all swimmers had to pass a swim test which involved jumping in fully clothed and treading water for a few minutes while stripping our clothing off (except for the swim suit) without dying. All of our friends looked forward to that test because it was like a rite of passage.

I’m not saying to not get a cover, just don’t rely on it as a safety device. A better plan is to not let kids near a pool/pond/ocean/bathtub alone whether it’s covered or not. Then you don’t have to worry about machete’s.

 

[sande005]

Just to add - here in Minn., codes require a 6 ft "non-climbable" fence around any pool. A solid wood fence meets the criteria, as well as gates with latches that cannot be reached by a child. I also have had a Meyco fabric safety cover for decades (the one with the ads of a baby elephant standing on it). It goes on when shutting down for the winter, and off again when opening for the spring/summer. The cover can be made in any shape. It can be big and heavy. While I have put it on/off by myself, it is better as a 2 person job. It is not something for day-to-day on/off use. It stands up to abuse extremely well. While I have not walked on it, the dogs sure have. And the granddaughter, once - until she was taught that that was a big no-go zone! After a decade and a half had to replace as the sun did a job on some of the stitching. Squirrels chewed a couple of holes in the current when it was in storage, but it is rip stop type fabric, and Gorilla duct tape makes a very long lasting patch (years). The mesh does allow fine dirt into the pool, and when the heavier dog walks across it can sag and allow a short lived puddle of pool water to form, that drains back when the weight comes off. Many feet of ice/snow on top do not phase it.
The idea of an autocover seemed attractive - but the cost and potential repair of the mechanics can pay for many, many mesh covers. Even if you hire pool store guys to put it on and off for you!

 

[Bperry]

Just to add - here in Minn., codes require a 6 ft "non-climbable" fence around any pool. A solid wood fence meets the criteria, as well as gates with latches that cannot be reached by a child. I also have had a Meyco fabric safety cover for decades (the one with the ads of a baby elephant standing on it). It goes on when shutting down for the winter, and off again when opening for the spring/summer. The cover can be made in any shape. It can be big and heavy. While I have put it on/off by myself, it is better as a 2 person job. It is not something for day-to-day on/off use. It stands up to abuse extremely well. While I have not walked on it, the dogs sure have. And the granddaughter, once - until she was taught that that was a big no-go zone! After a decade and a half had to replace as the sun did a job on some of the stitching. Squirrels chewed a couple of holes in the current when it was in storage, but it is rip stop type fabric, and Gorilla duct tape makes a very long lasting patch (years). The mesh does allow fine dirt into the pool, and when the heavier dog walks across it can sag and allow a short lived puddle of pool water to form, that drains back when the weight comes off. Many feet of ice/snow on top do not phase it.
The idea of an autocover seemed attractive - but the cost and potential repair of the mechanics can pay for many, many mesh covers. Even if you hire pool store guys to put it on and off for you!

I have a similar safety cover that’s in bad shape that I’m not looking forward to replacing. It can definitely sag in the middle with weight on it and water can collect there if it’s solid. So that’s another thing to watch out for.

 

[sadds]

We do have our entire yard fenced with a. 8 foot wood fence and are good there as far as ordinances go. Also we are in the dallas area so dont think we will closing our pool for winter.

This isn't about meeting code it's more about what us the best option to keep our kids safe.

On one hand I think the cover might add a false sense of security. I also worry about it malfunctioning (ripping, off track, ect) if a kid ran on it and then are in the water trapped under a cover. I also like the fence so we can have less limitation in pool design and less stuff to break or fix.

But an autocover that is closed after every swim is probably the best sleep at night option between that and a fence. Cost isn't a huge concern, it's the limitations of a cover to me.

 

[Bperry]

We do have our entire yard fenced with a. 8 foot wood fence and are good there as far as ordinances go. Also we are in the dallas area so dont think we will closing our pool for winter.

This isn't about meeting code it's more about what us the best option to keep our kids safe.

On one hand I think the cover might add a false sense of security. I also worry about it malfunctioning (ripping, off track, ect) if a kid ran on it and then are in the water trapped under a cover. I also like the fence so we can have less limitation in pool design and less stuff to break or fix.

But an autocover that is closed after every swim is probably the best sleep at night option between that and a fence. Cost isn't a huge concern, it's the limitations of a cover to me.

Covers to help keep junk out of the water…unless you don’t blow it off before closing it and it just dumps it into the water when it opens. Oddly enough I still find frogs and chipmunks under my cover which overlaps the decking by 12” at least. I still haven’t figured out how they get through there. There must be some kind of opening I can’t find.