Solar cover on swimming pool. Anyone?

[Spookwriter]

Looking for thoughts and opinions here.

Our pool is a 24 round, above ground. Deck built about halfway around.
Steps that step down into the water. No big ladder steps.

We've never had a solar cover on this pool. Now considering it. How well
do they work? Appear to come in different thickness, 8mill being the average.

Can one person easily take a solar cover off and on? Should I go on and spring
for the reel? (I'm told 50-50 by the dealers on this...some say good, some say worthless)

So I've come to the experts at Backyard Chickens...share your thoughts, your opinions.

Looks like those "bubble things" are also offered as a means to solar heat your pool? Not sure
what they're called.

Something called a "solar pill"...you add monthly?

How do you do it?

Getting to be time to open the pool.

 

[debilorrah]

I am also interested in the answers you may get!

 

[redhen]

Good question.. our pool/swim season up here is just so short. I remember we used to have one of those bubble wrap looking covers... but it was a PIA to take on and off every time we wanted to swim...
But a actual pool heater is just crazy expensive.... *sigh*
What to do..what to do...

 

[grammypam]

We use a solar cover on our 16 x 32 oval. It is set on a reel and I can crank it. It isn't hard. I don't know the thickness of it. We take it off the reels when we have a pool party so it's not in the way. It really does help keep the heat in at night.

Yes,it's time. I am just about to go out and add a bit more water to the pool. And get the pump running.

 

[grammypam]

Quote:
redhen...you would be so happy with a heater. Here in MN it really ,realllllly extends your pool time.

 

[theoldchick]

The reel is the way to go if you need to work with the cover by yourself. However, the reel is prone to mechanical issues and may breakdown on a routine basis.

 

[Spookwriter]

On one hand I'll agree the reel sounds a good bet. But the ones I've seen
appear cheaply made. Look as if they could easily break. But handy, if they
actually work.

The pool cover itself looks almost like bubble wrap. A bunch of bubble wrap
would certainly be cheaper. But a pain to remove to swim.

Those floating rings look almost the better way. Magnets stick them together,
cover most of the pool surface. Still...you have to take them out of the water
to swim.

That once-a-month pill, tossed in the pump basket...claims it saves 60% of the
heat loss. No mess, no fuss. My pump runs most of the time anyway.

Here's the deal...the pool is only a few quick steps from my office. I'm known to
bounce in and out a few times a day. Same with our daughter. May be in and out
several times a day. Completely ramdom, no pattern. Installed lighting so we can
play at night, even.

A cover, any kind of cover would take that away from us. I don't want that.

 

[Spookwriter]

As it says under my name, I'm in southern Ohio. Down by the
Ohio River. So I do have a few months of actual summer.

 

[redhen]

Same here... we are in and out all day long.
I really think i'd like a pool heater... but i think they cost up over $500??

 

[EweSheep]

My sister had them on her pool. Her first one was a skinny pool cover, pain in the butt, tear at every oppunitunity.

Second cover, was the bubble wrap cover and did pretty good, but pain in the butt if you do it yourself. With kids all helping, its not bad at all.

Now if they can keep from tracking grass into the pool, all for the better. Even with a foot tub at the base of stairs, we still get grass and debris in it. Might just get some footsie wipes on each tread so the footies can get cleaned before getting into the pool.