ABOVE GROUND POOL COVERS
WINTER SWIMMING POOL COVERS
THERE ARE BASICALLY TWO TYPES OF ABOVE GROUND POOL WINTER COVERS.
THE FIRST IS THE
REINFORCED POLY.
THESE ARE THE MOST COMMON COVERS IN USE AT THIS TIME.
THERE ARE MANY GRADES OF THESE COVERS. THE DIFFERENCE BEING THE NUMBER
OF REINFORCING FIBERS PER SQUARE INCH, OR WEAVES. THE BEST HAS A WEAVE OF
12 x12, OR 12 FIBERS GOING EACH DIRECTION PER SQUARE INCH.
ON ABOVE GROUND POOLS, THESE COVERS HAVE TRADITIONALLY HAD AN AIR PILLOW
iN THE CENTER OF THE POOL TO SUPPORT THE COVER. A CABLE AND WINCH
ASSEMBLY IS EMPLOYED TO SECURE THE COVER TO THE OUTSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE
OF THE POOL.
IN SOME PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, THIS ARRANGEMENT WORKS PRETTY WELL,
HOWEVER, IN AREAS THAT EXPERIENCE A FAIR AMOUNT OF HIGH WINDS, THE COVERS
ARE OFTEN DAMAGED BY CONSTANTLY FLAPPING IN THE WIND.
AN ALTERNATE METHOD IS TO USE A COVER THAT IS ONE SIZE LARGER THAN
NORMALLY REQUIRED.
LET THE COVER HANG DOWN THE SIDES OF THE POOL AND
LAY FLAT ON THE WATER, THEN PUT 1.5ft OR SO OF WATER ON TOP OF THE COVER,
AND TIGHTEN DOWN WITH THE WINCH AND CABLE. THIS ARRANGEMENT HAS PROVEN
TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE AND MAXIMIZE POOL SEALING.
THIS METHOD WILL ALSO GREATLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF LEAVES AND DEBRIE THAT ACCUMULATES ON THE POOL COVER OVER THE WINTER. NOTE: Rectangle Soft Side Pool Owners that do not have decks around their pool can use Bungy
Cords to attatch the Winter Pool Cover to the Pool Side Supports or the Wooden Plank that is placed under the
Side Supports.
THE ADDITION OF A LEAF NET OVER YOUR WINTER POOL COVER IS ALSO SUGGESTED TO MAKE YOUR SPRING POOL OPENING MUCH LESS OF A CHORE !
BY FAR THE BEST COVER FOR ABOVE GROUND POOLS WITH
FULL DECKS IS THE SAFETY COVER.
THIS COVER IS MADE OF AN EXTREMELY TOUGH
MATERIAL THAT WITHSTANDS A LARGE AMOUNT OF STRESS, AND THEREFORE MAY BE
STRETCHED TAUGHT ACROSS THE POOL, ELIMINATING THE NORMAL UNSIGHTLY
ACCUMULATION OF LEAVES AND DEBRIS THAT IS COMMON TO MOST OTHER TYPES OF
COVER INSTALLATIONS.
IT IS SECURED BY HIGH STRENGTH STRAPS ATTACHED TO FASTENERS THAT ARE
SECURED TO THE DECK. THESE COVERS EASILY SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A SMALL
CHILD OR FAMILY PET IN THE EVENT THAT THEY WANDER INTO THE POOL AREA.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR COVER IN ITS OFF SEASON IS CRITICAL TO ITS LONGEVITY.
THE EASIEST WAY TO DO THIS IS TO TAKE A LARGE TRASH CAN AND FILL IT WITH A
SOLUTION OF WATER AND QUAT ALGAECIDE. IN THE WARM WEATHER, LEAVE THE
WINTER COVER IN THE COVERED CAN. THEN IN THE WINTER, USE THE SAME
SOLUTION TO STORE YOUR SOLAR COVER. THIS SYSTEM WILL KEEP THE COVERS
SUPPLE, SANITARY AND FREE OF RODENTS.
BEFORE STORING ANY COVER, CLEAN IT
COMPLETELY!! |
