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.
A properly selected and installed safety cover can provide an additional layer of protection when the pool is closed while also helping reduce debris entering the water. Homeowners should choose a cover based on their pool layout, property conditions, maintenance preferences, and safety needs.
Many custom safety covers can be designed around pool features such as diving boards, slides, raised walls, stairs, or other obstacles. Accurate measurements are important so the cover can be manufactured for the specific pool layout.
A safety cover should be installed with the tension specified by the manufacturer so it remains properly supported and positioned. The straps, springs, and anchors should work together as a complete system rather than being excessively loose or overtightened.
Installing a custom safety cover requires accurate measurement, proper anchor placement, correct drilling methods, and appropriate tensioning. Because mistakes can affect the fit and performance of the cover, professional installation is generally recommended.
Look for an installer experienced with custom measurements, different deck surfaces, anchor placement, replacement covers, and common pool features. Homeowners should also ask about the products being used, the installation process, and current licensing and insurance information.
A safety cover can help reduce debris and, depending on the cover type, may reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the pool. However, water chemistry, closing procedures, weather, and other factors also affect algae growth.
It is best to schedule before the pool-closing season becomes busy. Custom covers may require measurement, ordering, manufacturing, delivery, and installation, so planning ahead provides more flexibility.
For replacement projects, S&R Pools can evaluate the existing cover and discuss what will happen to the old cover as part of the project scope. Any removal or disposal arrangements should be confirmed in the estimate.
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.
