A solar cover reduces evaporation, retains heat, and keeps debris out—especially helpful during New Jersey’s frequent summer thunderstorms. It can save you money on water, chemicals, and heating costs throughout the swimming season. However, you’ll want to remove it periodically to prevent excessive moisture buildup underneath and allow proper air circulation. The decision depends on your pool usage patterns and maintenance priorities.
The Benefits of Using a Summer Pool Cover
Many New Jersey pool owners mistakenly think covers are only for winterization, but a quality solar or safety cover during the summer months offers significant advantages. During Morris and Essex County’s humid summers, evaporation can cause you to lose an inch or more of water per week—that’s thousands of gallons over a season. A cover reduces evaporation by up to 95%, which means less time refilling your pool and fewer chemicals needed to rebalance the water.
Solar covers also trap heat from the sun, potentially raising your pool temperature by 10-15 degrees. This is particularly valuable during New Jersey’s unpredictable spring and early fall when temperatures fluctuate. In towns like Mendham, Chester, and Bernardsville where evenings can still be cool in June and September, that extra warmth extends your swimming season without running up energy bills.
Keeping Debris Out During Storm Season
New Jersey summers bring sudden thunderstorms, and occasionally the remnants of tropical systems that dump leaves, branches, and debris into uncovered pools. If you’re in areas like Morristown, Parsippany, or Summit with mature tree canopy, you know the struggle of constantly skimming leaves and pollen. A cover dramatically reduces cleaning time and prevents organic matter from settling on your pool floor where it promotes algae growth.
This is especially important for vinyl liner pools common in established neighborhoods throughout Somerset and Morris Counties. Debris that sinks and sits against the liner can cause staining that’s difficult or impossible to remove.
When to Remove Your Summer Cover
While covers offer clear benefits, leaving one on continuously creates problems. The humid environment underneath becomes a breeding ground for algae and bacteria, particularly during New Jersey’s muggy July and August weather. Moisture trapped between the cover and water surface can also promote mold growth on the cover itself.
Best Practices for Summer Cover Use
Remove your cover at least 2-3 times per week to allow air circulation and check water chemistry. If you swim daily or every other day, you’re naturally providing this ventilation. For vacation homes or pools used only on weekends, make it a habit to uncover the pool mid-week for several hours.
After heavy rainstorms common in Chatham, Madison, and surrounding areas, always remove standing water from the cover’s surface before taking it off. This prevents dumping potentially contaminated runoff into your clean pool water.
For in-ground gunite or fiberglass pools with automatic covers, the system typically handles drainage better, but you should still retract the cover regularly to inspect water quality and run your circulation system at full capacity.
Alternatives and Complementary Strategies
If your primary concern is heat retention, consider a liquid solar cover product instead. These invisible barriers reduce evaporation without the physical maintenance of a traditional cover. They work well for frequently-used pools where putting on and removing a cover becomes tedious.
Safety covers serve a dual purpose—keeping debris out while providing critical protection if you have young children or pets. Many Livingston and Short Hills families with young kids opt for automatic safety covers that can be deployed in seconds.
For above-ground pools popular throughout the region, lightweight solar covers are inexpensive and easy to manage. The key is choosing the right thickness—thicker covers (12-16 mil) last longer and retain more heat but are heavier to handle.
The Bottom Line for New Jersey Pool Owners
Using a cover during summer makes sense for most pool owners, especially if you don’t swim daily. The water and chemical savings alone typically justify the modest investment and minor inconvenience. Just commit to removing it regularly to prevent the water quality issues that can develop in our humid climate.
Keep Your Pool in Perfect Condition All Season Long
Whether you need help selecting the right cover, maintaining optimal water chemistry, or scheduling regular professional service, EverClear Pools & Spas is here to help Morris County, Essex County, and Somerset County pool owners get the most from their investment. Our experienced technicians understand the unique challenges of maintaining pools in New Jersey’s variable climate.
Contact EverClear Pools & Spas today at https://everclearpools.com to schedule a consultation or learn more about our comprehensive pool maintenance services. Let us handle the details so you can simply enjoy your pool all summer long.