14.6 x 28.6 Grecian.....
solid or mesh winter cover...pros and cons!
thanks-
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14.6 x 28.6 Grecian.....
solid or mesh winter cover...pros and cons!
thanks-
Bump. Me too. Our solid cover was a pita last year... I just want to keep leaves out over winter... gotta buy a new one... solid (w/ drain holes?) or mesh?
:p
I have been researching this as well.
So far, the mesh are less expensive than solid and let the rain water go thru the cover, and supposedly last a little less time than the solid.
The solid covers are more expensive and you either have to pump the little bit of water that will stay on the top off, or buy a cover with the built in pump.
I am thinking I want a solid cover because that will keep the pool cleaner without rain water entering- but not sure if that is really an issue.
Mesh lets me gather all of the rain over the winter to replace my high alkalinity fill water. A big plus. I have to drain the pool a couple of times over the winter, but I just stick a hose in the skimmer and run it down hill to drain back to the skimmer level. In the spring, I just don't drain it, and I open with the water near the top of the skimmer, which is good, because by the time you backwash and vacuum, the water is right.
As to dirt, mine looks like about three times what is in there normally when I vacuum, with clear water. I can't imagine the hassle of pumping off a solid cover would be worth it, but this probably depends on your location and climate as to how much winter rain and how much dirt blows around.
If you are comparing safety covers (attached with anchors)Quote:
Originally Posted by freddyttt
Solid pros
- keeps leaves and 99% dirt/fine silt out
- keeps sunlight out
- durable and last longer then mesh
Solid cons
- harder to clean in spring.
- heavier
- don't have to pump off water as most have a mesh drain in the middle to allow water to drain into the pool.
- have to make sure centre mesh drain is kepted clear of leaves to work properly
Mesh pros
- lighter
Mesh cons
- more fine silt in pool
- more sunlight in the pool = green pool when opening
- not as durable as solid but if you buy quality brand name then not an issue.
I prefer the solid covers with the mesh drain in the middle. Provides better protection from opening with green dirty pool.
George
I use a regular solid cover on our pool, but we have two friends who had the mesh safety cover. Both switched to a solid cover by their 2nd or 3rd season. They said they hated opening the pool and having it very dirty from the fine dirt and pollen that made it's way through the mesh cover.
We use a mesh cover, but put a 10-mil black plastic "cover" underneath sitting on the water. A pump sits on the inner cover to keep water out. Best of both worlds.
~Rick~
I use a mesh safety cover and have no problems. I never open to a green pool, always clear, and no more leaves get in than do in a solid cover. There is a lot of silt that accumulates on the bottom but that vacuums up easily.
My maintenance is checking the level of the water once a month and syphoning it off if it's high.
I use a mesh in the Boston suburbs. I may try the Mesh on top of solid this year.
Mesh Pros: Keeps leaves out, Keeps ice from forming on top.
We used to have to clean the solid cover at least 3 times during the winter - november, february, and april.
Mesh Cons: Lets TONS of dirt in. In the spring, the pool is filthy and green.
I have a mesh cover. Only downside is I have to remove some water from excessive rainfall during the winter. I open early, close late so it's not green yet.
Several people speak of draining water several times during the winter from their pools with mesh covers. If you are plugging the input to the pool and plugging the skimmer, why do you need to drain the water? Is it that it might otherwise overflow the pool?
i've read that too..given my water gets drained down about 2.5 ft against a 4ft shallow end, don't think i would ever run into the situation where my pool gets that full..unless the issue is more so getting so much water that the net doesn't sit properly on the water (need to pull it out further to take up some slack) we get pretty heavy snow on and off from january to march, but never that much. now, if i was still living in sask..that would be 3 months of solid snow..then again, i'd never have a pool in sask where it got to -85C with the wind chill the morning i flew to calgary for my job interview..that was great motivation to get the hell out of dodge!
Loop-Loc won't warrant their covers if the water is more than 15" below the deck.Quote:
Originally Posted by tenax
Mine would easily overflow if I didn't drain it. Also looks funny once water gets so high. The cover starts dipping into the water, then sags when it's wet. Dropping the water lets the cover stay flat.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveInPA
Just an update.
went with a solid cover and opened to just about crystal clear water.:)
my neighbor down the street opened his mesh covered pool and it was green.
Im so glad i went solid.
thanks-
This was my eighth opening with a mesh safety cover. It is still in great shape. I usually open to some dirt and leaves in the pool, but generally clear water. However, last season I opened to a swamp - didn't drain the water down so the cover sat in some water - we had a lot of hot days, so I had stringy gren algae:eek: . This year, I drained the water down, and opened yesterday to a very green dirty pool. We did have some warm days. Next year I am going to pull the cover back and put in some chlorine, or else open earlier. It is amazing how a swamp can go to a light green in 24 hours with mega doses of bleach:D I think when I need a new cover I will go with the solid with the drain, unless they come out with something better.