A clean slate
In windy and dusty areas, leaves, dirt, and debris can accumulate in the cover track and in the cover box; therefore, it is important to keep each of these areas clean to prevent premature wear and tear and damage to the cover system.
It is also a good idea to periodically clean the cover fabric. This can be done using a mild dish soap and pool brush. Laundry detergent or other harsh cleaning chemicals can damage the cover and, therefore, should not be used.
The cleaning process should begin with the cover in the closed position. Place a small amount of diluted soap and water on the cover, near the cover housing, and use the pool brush to gently scrub the cover. Once finished, use a garden hose to rinse off the cover. Afterwards, open the cover a few feet to roll the clean section on the roll-up tube. Continue to scrub and rinse the cover until it has been cleaned entirely. Use a cover pump to remove the dirty water that has collected on top of the cover.
A garden hose can also be used to spray dirt and debris out of the cover tracks. With the cover open, angle the hose so the stream of water sprays into the track’s rope channels. Concentrate on cleaning any dirt and debris out of the pulleys that are located at the far end of the cover track. The buildup of this debris, if not removed, can cause premature wear and tear on all components of the cover system.
To meet ASTM safety standards, a closed cover should always have a cover pump positioned on top of the cover to remove any accumulated water (e.g. from rain or sprinklers, etc.). Not only is the accumulated water on top of the cover a safety hazard, but the increased weight will also strain the system should the homeowner attempt to operate the cover with large amounts of water on top of it.
Some covers include a cover pump which positions itself on top of the cover fabric as the pool is being covered. Sensors turn the pump on automatically when standing water is detected. As water is removed from the top of the cover, the cover pump turns off automatically. When the pool is being uncovered, the cover pump rides on the cover fabric until the pump head has come to rest underneath the lid of the cover housing. This eliminates the need of the pool owner having to manually place the pump on the cover when it is closed, and then manually removing it prior to opening the pool.
Correct operational procedures
Proper operation of the automatic safety cover can also affect the life of the system. When pool owners operate their cover system, it is recommended the operator stops the cover roughly 0.3 m (1 ft) before the pool is completely uncovered or covered, then bump the switch until the cover is in the fully covered or uncovered position. This will reduce stress on the ropes and webbing by preventing hard hits against the coping on the pool’s deep end as the cover is closed and on the cover stops as it is opened.
Finally, it is recommended the services of a local authorized pool cover professional be considered to provide annual maintenance and operational inspections of the automatic safety cover system. These maintenance professionals can provide a variety of service options including lubricating and greasing pulleys and fittings, making cover adjustments, tightening loose bolts and screws, cleaning the cover box and cover fabric, or replacing worn covers.
Following these simple care and maintenance recommendations will help preserve the life of not only the automatic cover, but also the pool. Taking time to maintain the cover will pay off in the long run by helping to keep it operating safely for many years to come.
Kevin Losee is the product manager for automatic and solid and mesh safety covers for Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products. During his 12 years at Coverstar, he has worked as an automatic safety cover installer, operations manager, technical support and order-entry manager, and product manager. He can be reached via e-mail at klosee@coverstar.com.
