“Can’t I just put a cover on the pool and leave it?” is a question that comes up regularly when homeowners are wrestling with the pool removal decision. A pool cover is much cheaper than removal upfront, and intuitively it seems like a reasonable compromise, close off the pool, maintain it minimally, and defer the removal decision. This guide tests that intuition with real numbers over a 10-year cost horizon, specific to the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie market. For the broader “should I keep the pool or remove it?” decision, see our guide on what to do with an old unused pool.
Quick answer (BLUF)
A pool cover reduces but does not eliminate pool running costs. Over 10 years, the total cost of keeping a covered but maintained pool (cover + reduced maintenance) typically exceeds $20,000 to $35,000. Full pool removal at $8,000 to $18,000 has zero ongoing cost. The financial case for removal over covering is clear for most homeowners who are not actively using the pool.
What a pool cover does and doesn’t do
A pool cover (solar blanket, heat-retention cover, or rigid safety cover) reduces:
- Evaporation by 70-95% (depending on cover type)
- Heat loss (solar and heat retention covers)
- Leaf and debris accumulation
- Chemical consumption (less UV breakdown, less evaporative loss)
A pool cover does NOT:
- Eliminate the need for filtration and water circulation
- Remove the need for chemical maintenance to prevent algae and bacterial growth
- Eliminate the safety barrier obligation (pool fencing must remain)
- Remove the pool from the NSW compliance inspection regime
- Eliminate equipment maintenance (pump, filter, chlorinator)
- Remove the pool from your insurance liability picture
The core issue: A covered, non-used pool is still a pool. It must be maintained, inspected and complied with. The costs reduce but do not disappear.
10-year cost comparison
Scenario A: Pool cover strategy
A homeowner buys a quality safety/solar cover and reduces pool usage to near-zero. The pool is covered year-round. They perform minimum maintenance, run the pump briefly weekly, add basic chemicals monthly to prevent algae.
| Cost | Year 1 | Annual (Y2-10) | 10-Year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool cover purchase (quality, 6x3m) | $1,200 to $3,000 | , | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Cover replacement (expected at Y6) | , | , | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Pump electricity (reduced hours) | $150 | $150 | $1,350 |
| Chemicals (minimal) | $300 | $300 | $2,700 |
| Equipment maintenance | $200 | $200 | $1,800 |
| Pool inspection/compliance | $150 | $150 | $1,350 |
| Pool fencing maintenance | $100 | $100 | $900 |
| Subtotal | ~$2,100 | ~$900 | ~$10,600 to $13,600 |
But this is best-case. Real scenarios with a covered pool often involve:
- A seasonal or annual drain-down and refill: $300 to $600 in water charges + labour
- Equipment failure requiring repair: pump ($300 to $800), chlorinator ($400 to $1,200)
- Algae outbreak requiring shock treatment and water: $200 to $500 per incident
- Pool barrier compliance certificate (required at sale or every 3 years): $100 to $200
- Structural deterioration that accelerates when the pool is unused and poorly circulated
Realistic 10-year cost with a covered but maintained pool: $18,000 to $30,000.
Scenario B: Pool removal
A homeowner removes the pool (full removal, concrete pool, standard size):
| Cost | Year 1 | Annual (Y2-10) | 10-Year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool removal | $10,000 to $15,000 | , | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Landscaping (basic turf/topsoil) | $1,500 to $3,000 | , | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Annual pool costs | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $11,500 to $18,000 |
One-off, then done. No ongoing costs, no compliance, no maintenance.
The crossover point
The crossover, where pool removal becomes cheaper than covering, occurs at approximately Year 2-3 for most Newcastle scenarios. After that point, every year with the covered pool is adding cost while removal’s cost stays fixed.
What a pool cover can’t fix: the structural deterioration problem
Keeping a pool minimally operated under a cover does not stop structural deterioration. Concrete cancer, fibreglass delamination, tile failure and cracking all progress regardless of whether the pool is in active use or covered. An old, deteriorating pool that is covered rather than removed will eventually reach a state where it cannot be safely operated at all, at which point removal is unavoidable and the cover strategy has only added costs to the inevitable outcome.
For pools already showing significant structural issues (see our guides on concrete cancer or fibreglass delamination), the cover strategy is particularly inadvisable, you’re covering a problem, not solving it.
When a pool cover is the right answer
Pool covers do make sense for these scenarios:
- Active users wanting to reduce costs: If you do use the pool regularly, a solar blanket significantly reduces evaporation, heating costs and chemical use. The cover pays for itself in 1-2 years in reduced running costs for an actively used pool.
- Seasonal closure: Covering the pool over winter (May, September in Newcastle) reduces off-season maintenance. This is a genuine operational tool, not a “don’t remove it” strategy.
- Short-term protection before removal: If the pool removal is booked for 3 months away, a cheap cover reduces the maintenance burden during the interim period.
FAQs
What type of pool cover is best for a minimally used pool?
A rigid foam or safety cover offers the best evaporation control and some structural protection from UV. Solar blankets (bubble covers) are cheaper but degrade faster and do not provide safety protection. For a minimally used pool, a cheap cover is adequate, don’t invest in a premium cover if removal is the eventual plan.
Does leaving a pool covered affect its value?
A covered, non-used pool in poor condition is valued the same or worse than an uncovered one in the same condition, the cover doesn’t affect valuation. Buyers see a covered pool and wonder what’s being hidden. For sale purposes, transparency is better.
If I put a cover on now, can I still remove the pool later?
Yes, at any time. Pool removal can proceed regardless of whether a cover is on the pool at the time. The cover is removed as part of the pre-demolition preparation, at no additional significant cost.