TITLE: Should You Use a Pool Cover in Lake Havasu? Pros, Cons, and What Arizona Owners Should Know
META DESCRIPTION: Should you cover your Lake Havasu pool? Learn how pool covers affect evaporation, debris, water temperature and maintenance in Arizona.
Should You Use a Pool Cover in Lake Havasu? Pros, Cons, and What Arizona Owners Should Know
A pool cover sounds like an easy decision in Lake Havasu. Less evaporation. Less debris. Cover the water and solve a couple of problems at once.
Sometimes, yes.
But a cover also changes how you use the pool, affects water temperature, adds another maintenance task, and may be more trouble than it’s worth for some homeowners. Before buying one, think about what you’re actually trying to accomplish.
For homeowners already using professional pool service in Lake Havasu City, a cover can be another tool for managing the pool. It isn’t a replacement for circulation, cleaning, proper water chemistry, or routine equipment care.
The Biggest Arizona Argument for a Pool Cover: Evaporation
Lake Havasu is hot, dry, sunny, and frequently windy. An uncovered swimming pool has a large surface area exposed to all of it.
Evaporation is a normal part of owning an outdoor pool, but reducing the amount of water directly exposed to moving air can reduce evaporation. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends swimming pool covers as an effective way to reduce pool heating costs and evaporation.
That can be particularly attractive if you’re constantly watching the water level during the hottest part of an Arizona summer.
Before assuming evaporation explains unusually high water use, though, make sure something else isn’t happening. A pool that suddenly requires much more replacement water than usual may deserve further investigation rather than simply being covered.
A Cover Can Keep Some Arizona Debris Out of the Water
Wind doesn’t just increase evaporation. It brings stuff with it.
Dust, leaves, landscaping debris, insects, and whatever else happens to be blowing across the yard can end up in an uncovered pool. A cover creates a physical barrier while it’s in place.
That doesn’t mean the debris disappears. Some of it lands on the cover instead, which means the cover itself eventually needs attention.
And once you remove a dirty cover carelessly, there’s always the possibility of dumping part of that collection straight into the pool. Annoying, but true.
What Will a Pool Cover Do to Water Temperature?
This depends partly on the type of cover and how it’s used.
Pool covers can reduce heat loss from the water. That may be useful when you’re trying to retain warmth, especially outside the hottest stretch of summer.
During Lake Havasu’s extreme heat, warmer water isn’t necessarily the goal.
If your pool already feels warmer than you’d like, heat retention becomes something to consider before routinely covering it. The best choice isn’t simply the cover that saves the most water. It’s the one that fits how you actually use your pool.
Will a Pool Cover Make Maintenance Easier?
It can reduce the amount of outside debris entering the water while covered, which can certainly help.
It won’t eliminate pool maintenance.
Your water still needs proper circulation and chemistry. Equipment still needs attention. Walls, steps, waterlines, and other pool surfaces don’t magically stay perfect because something is floating over the water.
Regular Lake Havasu pool maintenance remains necessary with or without a cover.
The Cover Needs Maintenance Too
This part gets left out of the sales pitch surprisingly often.
A cover has to be put on, removed, stored, and kept reasonably clean. Depending on the size and type, doing that manually can become enough of a hassle that the cover eventually spends more time folded beside the house than covering the pool.
If convenience matters, think seriously about how often you’re willing to handle it.
What About Solar Pool Covers?
Solar covers, sometimes called bubble covers, float on the water’s surface. They’re commonly used to reduce evaporation and retain heat.
For an Arizona homeowner, evaporation reduction can be appealing. Heat retention needs more thought.
A homeowner who wants to extend comfortable swimming into cooler periods may have different priorities from someone whose pool is already warmer than desired in July.
There’s no reason those two people should make the same decision.
A Pool Cover Isn’t the Same Thing as a Safety Cover
This distinction matters.
Don’t assume every product marketed as a “pool cover” is intended to support weight or provide protection against someone entering the water. Solar covers and other floating covers aren’t automatically safety devices.
If safety is the goal, look specifically for a product intended and rated for that purpose, and follow the manufacturer’s installation and use requirements.
A cover should never create a false sense of security around children, pets, or anyone who cannot swim.
Who Might Benefit Most From a Pool Cover in Lake Havasu?
A cover may make more sense if:
- Your primary concern is reducing evaporation.
- Your property receives a lot of windblown debris.
- The pool goes unused for stretches of time.
- You want to retain water temperature during cooler periods.
- You’re willing to consistently put the cover on and remove it.
It may be less appealing if you use the pool constantly, don’t want additional heat retention, or know that dealing with a cover every day will drive you crazy.
Be realistic about that last one. The theoretically perfect pool accessory isn’t very useful if you stop using it after three weeks.
Don’t Use a Cover to Hide a Pool Problem
If you’re considering a cover because your pool suddenly seems to be losing a surprising amount of water, investigate the water loss first.
Normal evaporation changes with weather and pool conditions. A sudden departure from what you’ve historically seen can indicate something else deserves attention.
The same goes for excessive debris or water chemistry problems. A cover may reduce material entering the pool from above, but it won’t correct malfunctioning equipment or replace regular professional pool cleaning and maintenance.
Lake Havasu Pool Cover FAQs
Can a pool cover reduce evaporation in Arizona?
Yes. Covering the water reduces direct exposure of the pool surface to the surrounding air, which can reduce evaporation.
Will a pool cover keep my Lake Havasu pool cleaner?
A cover can keep some dust, leaves, insects, and other windblown debris from entering while it’s in place. You’ll still need normal pool cleaning and maintenance, and the cover itself will need to be cleaned.
Can a pool cover make my water hotter?
Pool covers can reduce heat loss. That’s useful during cooler periods but may be less desirable if your pool water is already warmer than you’d like during the Arizona summer.
Do I still need pool service if I use a cover?
Yes. A cover doesn’t replace water testing, chemical balancing, circulation, equipment care, or cleaning. EverClear Pool Service provides ongoing pool care for Lake Havasu City homeowners with covered and uncovered pools.
Choose a Cover Based on the Problem You’re Trying to Solve
For many Lake Havasu homeowners, evaporation reduction is the strongest reason to consider a pool cover. Debris control and heat retention can be additional benefits depending on the season and property.
Just don’t buy one because somebody said every Arizona pool should be covered. Your pool usage, water temperature, exposure, maintenance routine, and willingness to actually use the cover matter.
If you’re trying to reduce pool water loss or make maintenance more manageable, contact EverClear Pool Service in Lake Havasu City to discuss your pool, equipment, and ongoing service needs.