We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Welcome to S&R Pools Liners & Pool Covers
We provide specialized winterization services to safeguard your pool during the off-season, and when spring arrives, we handle the thorough opening process.
Welcome to S&R Pools Liners & Pool Covers
Closing your pool for the season is one of the most important maintenance decisions you make as a pool owner. The cover you choose affects your family’s safety, your pool’s condition over winter, and how much time and money you spend at spring opening. A standard winter cover keeps debris out. A safety cover does that and more — it prevents accidental entry into the water, protecting children, pets, and anyone who approaches the pool during the off-season.
This guide explains everything South Jersey homeowners need to know about pool safety covers: the different types, how they work, what they cost, how to maintain them, and when it is time for a replacement. Whether you are considering your first safety cover or replacing one that has seen better days, this guide will help you make the right choice.
A standard winter cover is a loose-fitting tarp that sits on the water surface, held in place by water bags or clips around the pool edge. It blocks debris and sunlight but does not provide structural protection. If a child, pet, or adult steps on a winter cover, they can fall through into the water beneath.
A safety cover, by contrast, is a taut, anchored cover engineered to support weight. It is secured to the pool deck with brass or stainless steel anchors drilled into the surrounding surface, then stretched tight with springs. Safety covers are designed to meet ASTM F1346 standards, meaning they can support a certain amount of weight without collapsing into the pool.
For homeowners in South Jersey, where pools remain closed for five to six months each year, a safety cover provides critical peace of mind throughout the off-season.
Mesh covers are made from a tightly woven fabric that allows rainwater and snowmelt to pass through while blocking leaves, branches, and debris. Because water drains through the cover, there is no need for a cover pump or drain system.
Solid covers block everything — water, sunlight, and debris. Because water cannot pass through, solid covers require either an automatic pump or a built-in mesh drain panel to prevent water from accumulating on the cover surface.
Some manufacturers offer hybrid covers that combine a solid panel with a mesh center drain section. These provide most of the light-blocking benefits of a solid cover while allowing water drainage, reducing the need for a cover pump. S&R Pools can help you evaluate whether a hybrid option makes sense for your pool.
The right cover depends on your priorities. Here is how to think through the decision:
Choose a mesh cover. No pump needed, lighter to handle, and less maintenance over winter.
Choose a solid cover. Less cleaning and fewer chemicals needed when you open the pool.
Both mesh and solid covers meet ASTM safety standards when properly installed. The key factor is proper fit and secure anchoring — which is why professional installation matters.
Mesh covers are generally less expensive upfront and tend to last longer. Solid covers cost more and may need replacement sooner due to UV degradation.
At S&R Pools, we do not push one type over the other. We help you evaluate your specific situation and choose the cover that fits your pool, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Professional safety cover installation involves more than just stretching a cover over the pool. Here is what the process looks like:
Your pool is measured to exact dimensions, including any features like steps, diving boards, raised walls, or irregular shapes. These measurements are used to manufacture a cover specifically for your pool.
Brass or stainless steel anchors are drilled into the pool deck at precise intervals. The type of anchor depends on your deck material (concrete, pavers, wood, stone). Anchors sit flush with the deck surface when the cover is removed, so they do not pose a tripping hazard during pool season.
The cover is positioned over the pool and attached to each anchor using stainless steel springs. The springs are tensioned to create a taut, drum-like surface that supports weight and prevents sagging.
The installer checks every anchor, spring, and panel to ensure proper tension and secure fit. You receive a walkthrough on how to properly use and care for your cover.
Most safety cover installations by S&R Pools are completed within a few hours.
A well-maintained safety cover lasts longer and performs better. Here are the key maintenance practices:
Remove leaves, branches, and standing water (for solid covers) regularly during the off-season to prevent excessive weight and reduce wear.
Check straps, springs, and fabric for signs of wear, fraying, or UV degradation before each winter season. Replace worn hardware promptly.
Keep furniture, tools, and sharp-edged objects away from the cover surface. Punctures compromise the cover’s structural integrity.
When you remove your cover in spring, clean it, let it dry completely, and store it in a dry, shaded area. Proper storage significantly extends lifespan.
Years Experience In Pool Industry.
Most safety covers last between 10 and 15 years. Signs that it is time for a replacement include visible sagging even when properly tensioned, fraying or torn fabric, broken or worn-out springs and straps, faded and brittle material, and the cover no longer fitting tightly over the pool.
If your cover is showing these signs, patching may extend its life temporarily, but replacement is the safer and more cost-effective long-term choice. S&R Pools provides free assessments to help you decide.
Safety CoversSafety cover installations from S&R Pools start at approximately $4,300. The final price depends on your pool’s size and shape, the type of cover (mesh or solid), and any special features or obstacles on your deck. Replacement covers using existing anchor points are typically less expensive than new installations.
We provide free, transparent estimates so you know exactly what to expect.
Yes. A safety cover protects your family from accidental pool entry, reduces spring cleanup time and cost, and extends the life of your pool by shielding it from weather and debris during the off-season. The investment pays for itself in safety and reduced maintenance.
Yes. Custom-measured safety covers account for diving boards, slides, raised walls, and other pool features. The cover is manufactured with cutouts and reinforced edges around these obstacles for a proper fit.
A properly installed safety cover should be taut enough to support weight without excessive sagging. Some slight deflection in the center is normal, but the cover should not touch the water surface. Proper spring tension is critical.
While it is technically possible, professional installation is strongly recommended. Improper anchor placement, incorrect cover sizing, and inadequate tension can compromise the cover’s safety rating and lead to premature failure.
Look for experience (how many covers do they install per year?), custom measurement practices, an authorized dealer relationship with the cover manufacturer, a clear workmanship guarantee, and a portfolio of completed installations.
Solid safety covers block sunlight, which inhibits algae growth significantly. Mesh covers allow some light through, so minor algae growth is possible but typically manageable with proper water chemistry before closing.
We recommend scheduling 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially during fall when demand peaks. Earlier scheduling ensures you get your preferred installation date before pool closing season.
Yes. Our replacement service includes removing the old cover, inspecting existing anchor points, and installing the new custom-fitted cover. We handle everything.
Whether you need a new safety cover or a replacement for an aging one, S&R Pools is here to help. Contact us today for a free assessment and estimate.
Shawn McGonagle is the owner and lead installer at S&R Pools, LLC, with over 16 years of experience in vinyl pool liner and safety cover design and installation. Before founding S&R Pools in 2009, Shawn served as Lead Designer and Manager of the Liner and Safety Cover Design Department at a leading pool liner manufacturer. Today, S&R Pools installs approximately 200 liners and 175 safety covers every year for homeowners across South Jersey. S&R Pools is a Merlin Authorized Dealer.
