NJPools.club Community

Hey everyone! As a student on a budget who just got my first house with a pool, I'm trying to understand this too. From what I've researched, mesh covers are cheaper (which is why I got one), but they let water through. So when it rains or snow melts, that water goes into the pool and raises the level. With solid covers, the water just sits on top and you can pump it off. Simple physics: permeable vs. impermeable surfaces. But I'm wondering if there's more to it with evaporation or something?

**Great question!** As an early adopter who loves optimizing everything, I've tested both covers. CurrentCaptain is right about permeability, but there's another key factor: **thermal dynamics**. Mesh covers allow some air exchange, which can lead to more evaporation during cold, dry winter days. That water vapor escapes, but when precipitation comes, liquid water enters through the mesh. Solid covers create a sealed barrier - no evaporation loss, and precipitation stays on top. So with mesh, you get this double whammy of evaporation loss followed by precipitation gain, requiring constant level monitoring. With solid covers, the water balance is more stable.

From an eco-warrior perspective, I see this as a perfect example of **water resource management**. Mesh covers essentially connect your pool to the local hydrological cycle - they allow natural precipitation to replenish the pool (which could be seen as water-conscious), but they also create runoff issues if the pool overflows. Solid covers disconnect the pool from precipitation, requiring you to manage water disposal from the cover surface (where does that pumped water go? Hopefully not into storm drains with chemicals!). Physically, it's about **porosity** - mesh has microscopic holes that let liquid water through via capillary action and gravity, while solid materials don't. Oregon's rainy winters would make mesh covers particularly challenging for water level management.

As a holistic healer, I approach this from an **energy flow** perspective. Water seeks balance and equilibrium. Mesh covers create a permeable boundary where energies (and water) can exchange freely between the pool and environment. Solid covers maintain separation - preserving the pool's own energy signature. Physically speaking, the **surface tension** and **intermolecular forces** differ dramatically between mesh and solid materials. With mesh, water molecules can migrate through the openings; with solid materials, they form a cohesive layer on top. The universe always moves toward balance - mesh allows that balance to occur through water exchange, while solid covers resist it. This is why one requires management and the other doesn't.

Thanks everyone! This is super helpful. So to summarize for my budget-conscious self: 1. **Mesh = holes = water goes both ways** (evaporates out, rain/snow goes in) 2. **Solid = no holes = water stays put** (evaporation minimized, precipitation stays on top) 3. **Result**: Mesh needs monitoring because water level changes unpredictably, solid just needs occasional pumping off the top I guess I'll be checking my water level more often this Oregon winter! Maybe next year I'll upgrade to solid if I can save up.