It’s a crisp Saturday in October. The kids have traded swimsuits for soccer cleats. Your pool sits quiet, and the maple out back is dropping leaves right into the water. You know it’s time to close up for the season.
Then the worries start. The dog still races around the yard every afternoon. The neighborhood kids still cut across the lawn. And you remember last spring, when opening day meant a week of scrubbing before anyone could swim.
A New Jersey winter is long. Snow, freezing rain and months of falling debris all land on your pool. Leave the water poorly protected, and those months show up as stains, algae and extra work in April. The bigger concern is safety every time someone steps into the backyard.
A properly fitted winter safety cover takes care of both. Below, we break down how safety covers work and the options we carry. You’ll also learn how to care for yours until spring. The team at National Pools & Spas has helped New Jersey families close their pools for generations.
What a Winter Pool Cover Does for Your Backyard
A winter safety cover has more than one job. Each one protects something different, so it helps to look at them one at a time.
Safety for Kids and Pets
A true safety cover is anchored tightly into the deck around your pool. Installed correctly, it’s designed to help keep a child or pet from slipping into the water. Look for covers built to meet the ASTM F1346 safety cover standard.
That peace of mind lasts from closing day to opening day. You don’t have to hover by the window every time the kids play outside. Keep in mind that a safety cover is a barrier, not a play surface. Nobody should walk or play on it.
Cleaner Water Come Spring
Leaves, twigs and dirt blow into open water all winter. Once they sink, they break down and can stain pool surfaces. They also feed algae as the days warm up.
A good cover keeps most of that debris on top, where it can be blown or brushed away. The payoff is cleaner water and a faster spring opening. Less debris also means less filter cleaning in April.
Protection for the Pool Surface and Equipment
Your pool finish takes a beating from winter sun and debris. A cover shields vinyl, fiberglass and concrete in-ground pools from much of that wear. That helps your pool look good for more seasons.
A cover also cuts down on evaporation over the off-season. Your water level stays more stable as a result. That steadier level helps protect your pool liner through the cold months.
Mesh and Solid Safety Covers: How Each One Works
Both styles of safety cover protect your pool well. They simply handle water and sunlight in different ways. Once you know how each one works, the choice gets much easier.
Mesh Safety Covers
Mesh covers use a strong, tightly woven fabric that lets water drain through. Rain and snowmelt pass into the pool instead of sitting on top. That means no standing water to remove from the cover.
Mesh covers are also lighter, so they’re easier to handle at opening and closing. Some sunlight and very fine particles can pass through the weave. That makes a solid winter water care routine at closing especially helpful.
Solid Safety Covers
Solid covers block sunlight, water and fine debris from reaching the pool. With no sunlight on the water, algae has little chance to grow. Many owners find their water noticeably clearer at opening time.
Because rain and snow can’t drain through, solid covers need a way to shed water. Some use an automatic pump that sits on top of the cover. Others include a mesh drain panel that lets water pass through one small section.
Picking the Right Match for Your Yard
Think about how your yard looks in the fall. If tall trees drop heavy leaves and fine debris, a solid cover keeps it all out. If you’d rather not manage water on top of the cover, mesh is simple and hands-off.
Your pool’s shape, deck and features also play a part. Our team can walk you through both styles for your specific pool. Visit our pool covers page or stop by a showroom to see the options in person.
The Safety Cover Brands We Carry
We work with two names pool owners count on: Merlin and Meyco. Each one brings its own strengths to your backyard.
Merlin Safety Covers
Merlin Industries pioneered the Solid Safety Cover. Their patented safety cover spring is a big part of that reputation. Merlin covers are designed to improve pool safety and simplify maintenance.
The Merlin Safety Solid cover shields your pool from water, dirt, dust and sunlight. You can choose either an automatic pump or a mesh drain panel. That lets you decide how water is handled on top of the cover.
Meyco Pool Covers
Meyco covers are made from premium polypropylene fabric, strong thread and durable hardware. Each cover features deep channeled abrasion strips for added wear protection. That extra toughness helps keep your pool in prime condition for years.
Our team can show you Meyco samples and explain how each option fits your pool.
National Pools & Spas carries Merlin and Meyco pool safety covers.
Alt text: Merlin Industries and Meyco logos
A Custom Fit for Every Pool Shape
A safety cover only works if it fits. Plenty of New Jersey pools have curves, steps or rock features. Custom fitting makes sure every one of those details is covered.
Measuring and Anchors
Safety covers are made from precise measurements of your pool and deck. Straps run from the cover to anchors set into the deck. A spring on each strap holds the cover tight and absorbs movement.
When the cover comes off in spring, the anchors sit flush with the deck. You’ll barely notice them during swim season. Our installers handle the measuring and anchoring for you.
Freeform Pools, Steps and Features
A uniquely shaped pool is no problem. You can order a cover tailored to your pool’s specific size and shape. Covers can be made for freeform designs, raised walls and built-in steps.
A proper fit leaves no loose edges for debris to slip under. It also keeps the cover tight enough to do its safety job. That’s why careful measuring is worth doing right the first time.
Each strap is anchored into the deck to keep the cover tight all winter.
Alt text: Safety cover straps anchored into the deck around an in-ground pool
Getting the Pool Ready Before the Cover Goes On
The cover protects the pool, but a good closing sets it up for success. Two parts of closing make the biggest difference.
Balance and Clean the Water
Start with clean, balanced water. Skim, brush and vacuum the pool, then clean the filter. Test and adjust pH, alkalinity and sanitizer levels. A winter water care kit helps keep the water clearer all season.
Bring a water sample to any of our stores for free water analysis. Our team will recommend exactly what your pool needs before closing. You’ll find winter water care products in our pool supplies department. For more on sanitizers, read our guide to pool chemicals that keep water fresh.
Lower the Water and Protect the Plumbing
Water left in the lines can freeze and crack pipes. Closing includes blowing out the lines and plugging them to keep water out. The water level is also lowered to suit your pool and cover type.
These steps take experience and the right equipment. Our pool service team handles openings and closings for homeowners across our service area. For a closer look at the process, read 3 easy steps to closing your pool for the winter. Our Pool Closing 101 guide explains how professional service helps.
Caring for Your Cover Through a New Jersey Winter
Once the cover is on, a few quick checks keep it doing its job. Plan to look it over after big storms and every few weeks in between.
Leaves, Snow and Standing Water
Clear large piles of leaves with a leaf blower or soft broom. Heavy, wet leaves add weight and can stain the fabric. On a solid cover, keep the pump working so water never builds up.
Safety covers are built to handle normal winter snow. The springs and straps take up the load. If water pools on a solid cover after a thaw, pump it off promptly.
Checking Springs, Straps and Anchors
Walk around the pool now and then. Every strap should be attached, and every spring should hold some tension. Look for any strap that has slipped off its anchor.
If a spring looks overstretched or a strap looks frayed, give us a call. Quick fixes keep the cover secure all winter. They also help it last for many more seasons.
Taking the Cover Off in Spring
When the weather warms up, it’s time to open the pool. Clear leaves and water from the top of the cover first. Then release the springs and fold the cover carefully.
Rinse the cover and let it dry fully before storing it. Keep it in a cool, dry spot away from pests. A clean, dry cover lasts far longer than one packed away damp.
Opening day goes faster when the water stayed clean all winter. Our complete pool opening checklist helps you get swimming sooner. You can also follow our steps to prepare your swimming pool for spring. Or let our team handle the opening for you.
Clean water in spring starts with good cover care in the fall.
Alt text: Sparkling in-ground pool ready for summer in a leafy backyard
Frequently Asked Questions
These are the pool cover questions we hear most often at our New Jersey showrooms.
When should I put my winter pool cover on in New Jersey?
Most New Jersey owners close their pools in early fall, once swimming season winds down. Closing before leaves start falling heavily keeps the water cleaner. Book your closing early, since fall schedules can fill up.
Is a mesh or solid safety cover better?
Both work well, and the right choice depends on your yard. Mesh covers let water drain through and are lighter to handle. Solid covers block sunlight and fine debris but need a pump or drain panel.
Can a pool safety cover hold the weight of snow?
Properly installed safety covers are designed to handle winter snow. The springs and straps absorb the load. Keep standing water off solid covers, and call us if anything looks loose.
Can I install a pool safety cover myself?
Safety covers are custom-made from precise measurements and anchored into your deck. Professional installation makes sure the cover fits tightly and works as designed. Our team handles the measuring and installation for you.
Do safety covers fit pools with unusual shapes?
Yes. Covers can be custom-made for freeform pools, raised walls and built-in steps. We measure your pool carefully to get the fit right.
How long does a pool safety cover last?
With good care, a quality safety cover lasts many seasons. Keep it clean, store it dry and check the springs and straps. Replacing worn parts early also adds to its life.
Close This Season With Confidence
A winter pool cover keeps your family safer and your water cleaner until spring. Pick the style that suits your yard, and have it fitted to your pool’s exact shape. A few quick checks through the winter keep it working the way it should.
National Pools & Spas has been part of New Jersey backyards since 1955. Visit our Robbinsville, Hillsborough, Lawrenceville or Flemington showroom to see covers in person. Or contact us to book your pool closing and safety cover installation.
