Purchasing a solid cover to use in the summer while on vacations

[poolnewbie4]

We'd like to do more traveling this summer so we are thinking about purchasing a cheap solid cover for our pool so we don't have to pay someone to come over twice a day to get leaves and dead mice out of our pool while we are on vacation. Our pool is surrounded by trees and backs to a field so we get a lot of leaves and mice in our pool. When we went on vacation last year, we put our heavy mesh loop-loc winter cover over our pool before we left and come home a week later to a clear pool, but we cannot do this every time we leave because the cover is so heavy and difficult to put it on and take off and store it away again. We were thinking about purchasing a cheap solid cover like the one posted below which is lighter and easier to put on and take off and will block out more of the sun than our mesh cover. Here is a link to the cover that we are thinking about purchasing: Amazon.com

Before I purchase a cover like this, I have a few questions that I’m hoping that someone can answer for me:

1. Could we tie this cover down so it won’t blow off in heavy winds without purchasing the water tubes that are sold separately and add $100 onto the cost? Could we put bricks or chlorine jugs filled with water around the perimeter or could this harm the cover if it happens to be windy while we are gone?
2. Would we be better off purchasing a heavier tarp that has grommets in all 4 corners at Lowe’s and just weighing it down with some bricks or chlorine jugs filled with water or tying it down somehow?
3. Would we need to purchase a cover pump for a cover like this, in case it rains while we are away or could we poke some small holes in it so water can drain? This cover would only be used for a week at a time, and it will probably be used 4-5 times over the course of the summer.
4. Can I run the pump a few hours a day with this cover on to keep it clear or could the cover obstruct the flow of the pump?
5. Could a cheap cover like this last more than a year if it is only going to be used for 4-5 weeks over the course of a summer? If we shock the pool before leaving each time, could the high chlorine levels damage the cover or cause it to tear?

 

[Mdragger88]

We'd like to do more traveling this summer so we are thinking about purchasing a cheap solid cover for our pool so we don't have to pay someone to come over twice a day to get leaves and dead mice out of our pool while we are on vacation. Our pool is surrounded by trees and backs to a field so we get a lot of leaves and mice in our pool. When we went on vacation last year, we put our heavy mesh loop-loc winter cover over our pool before we left and come home a week later to a clear pool, but we cannot do this every time we leave because the cover is so heavy and difficult to put it on and take off and store it away again. We were thinking about purchasing a cheap solid cover like the one posted below which is lighter and easier to put on and take off and will block out more of the sun than our mesh cover. Here is a link to the cover that we are thinking about purchasing: Amazon.com

Before I purchase a cover like this, I have a few questions that I’m hoping that someone can answer for me:

1. Could we tie this cover down so it won’t blow off in heavy winds without purchasing the water tubes that are sold separately and add $100 onto the cost? Could we put bricks or chlorine jugs filled with water around the perimeter or could this harm the cover if it happens to be windy while we are gone?

You can & it may suffer some wind damage but they will usually anyway- the tubes really keep stuff from getting in/under the cover. Many people use pots/buckets/jugs along with water tubes or instead of them.

2. Would we be better off purchasing a heavier tarp that has grommets in all 4 corners at Lowe’s and just weighing it down with some bricks or chlorine jugs filled with water or tying it down somehow?

If it fits over the pool either way is fine

3. Would we need to purchase a cover pump for a cover like this, in case it rains while we are away or could we poke some small holes in it so water can drain? This cover would only be used for a week at a time, and it will probably be used 4-5 times over the course of the summer.

They do sell ones with mesh strips for drainage. Likely more robust than a cheap tarp one. The cover needs to rest on the water to prevent it from getting pulled in when it rains. Your nice cover is strong enough to be held tight over the water and drains itself- a tarp style is not. If you poke holes you will end up with water on top and they will become a point of failure/rip.

4. Can I run the pump a few hours a day with this cover on to keep it clear or could the cover obstruct the flow of the pump?

I run my pump under my solid tarp style cover- you must keep the cover pumped off to do this or rain water will displace the pool water & when it is eventually pumped off the water level in the pool can possibly drop too low resulting in running the pool pump dry.

5. Could a cheap cover like this last more than a year if it is only going to be used for 4-5 weeks over the course of a summer?

I have had tarp covers last up to 3 winters so I don’t see why not. The main thing is getting it clean & dry before storing which is a pain once a year let alone several times a year.

If we shock the pool before leaving each time, could the high chlorine levels damage the cover or cause it to tear?

FC anywhere between minimum & slam level for your cya is safe for surfaces, people & equipment like covers
FC/CYA Levels
I close my pool at slam level each winter.

The advice with tarp style covers is to just get the cheapest one & throw it out when it starts showing wear. The warranties are usually a joke.

I would not use a tarp style cover on a running pool while away without an automatic cover pump.
If water gets on the cover you will have to pump it off to remove the cover. So you will need a way to do that regardless unless you want to dump all the stuff in the pool.
Even just a 1/2” of water on a cover is very heavy.

 

[Newdude]

No bricks or such to hold the cover. They'll land with a thud on your fiberglass if they get pulled in.

Water bags are a PITA and aquablocks are much easier to fill/empty. Or use 5 gallon HD buckets / chlorine jugs full of water.

A solar cover will collect all the crud like a tarp would and also reduce your UV loss. It would also solve the need to pump it off. The water would drain into the pool while the clumps of crud stayed put. For week-long trips or less, SLAM FC would likely last, or you could tie off some floaters in the middle under the cover to aid with FC while you're away. (Proving your CYA can handle a little boost too).

If you went SWG, you could be away for weeks without issue, then sweep the crud to the side of cover to scoop it off when you returned.

*edit. Correction. You should get a SWG because it makes the time you are home heavenly. And also makes trips worry free. A solar cover will collect the crud while you're away.

 

[Mdragger88]

Good call about the bricks @Newdude !
I was going to mention a solar cover (for the pumping reasons) but refrained because of the worry of mice although they could probably get in under a solid cover too if they wanted.
& SWCG’s are definitely heavenly for being home & away

 

[Newdude]

I was going to mention a solar cover (for the pumping reasons) but refrained because of the worry of mice

The same mouse would fall into the pool if it was open. I've had many in my skimmers and always have to play the mole-or-mouse game upon spotting one. It's pretty much split down the middle with said offenders.

If some time passes before OP gets home, they'll be bloated but more sterile than they'd ever been.

 

[Mdragger88]

The same mouse would fall into the pool if it was open. I've had many in my skimmers and always have to play the mole-or-mouse game upon spotting one. It's pretty much split down the middle with said offenders.

If some time passes before OP gets home, they'll be bloated but more sterile than they'd ever been.