Solar pool covers are a great investment that yields excellent results. To get the most use out of the cover and your pool, it’s important that you take the time to properly install your new solar cover.
Thankfully, it’s not as difficult as you might think (though not as easy as solar pool ring installation). To ensure that your solar blanket is operating at its very best, let’s talk about the installation process and how it will benefit you the most.
We’ll also answer some common questions that pool owners have about solar pool covers.
Installing Your New Solar Pool Cover
Depending on the shape of your pool, you may have an easier time putting your solar cover on. Pool shapes play a big role in the installation process. A pool that is round, oval, or rectangular in shape is a lot easier to deal with compared to one that is specially designed with an odd shape.
This is because solar covers are designed to fit the most common pool shapes. Oftentimes, you can find a solar pool cover that is fabricated to fit perfectly over your pool, thus making installation a veritable walk in the park. But don’t worry if you have a freeform pool. We’ll cover those, too.
If you have been fortunate enough to find a solar blanket that fits your pool, simply place the cover in the water. Do you wonder how to orient solar cover bubbles up or down?
Well when doing this, you want to ensure that the bubble side on it is facing down. This is vital for the heating process to work properly. The smooth side always faces toward the sky.
For a freeform pool, it’s easier if you can get another set of hands or two to help with the installation. This makes it easier to stretch the cover so that it touches the perimeter equally on all sides. It’s a good idea to place weights around the outside in order to keep the material from blowing away and losing position.
This also goes a long way in reducing any wrinkles in the solar blanket. Just be doubly sure that you don’t use any weighted objects that might cause damage to the solar cover. Depending on the type of cover you bought, it’s possible to tear or puncture the solar blanket.
Cutting To Form
Now comes the cutting. When you install a solar cover over a freeform pool, you have to cut off any excess that isn’t going to be used. When doing this, it is important that you cut the solar cover material as close to your pool perimeter as possible.
This ensures that there aren’t any gaps between the pool and the solar blanket. You want it to fit in the pool like a glove, so that it lays on the water without any room to drift.
Pool covers that move around are less effective than tight-fitting ones. This ensures that you’ll get the best use out of your new solar cover investment. Your water will be warmer, and it will stay warmer longer, as well.
Conversely, you may opt to leave some excess around the perimeter to keep debris from falling into your pool. This is often done by pool owners whose pools are under and around vegetation.
You’ll find that this is easier to do with a pool that is rectangular in shape, as opposed to a round pool. If you have an in-ground pool with a skimmer, you may want to cut an area that allows for easy access to it.
Don’t worry about getting fancy and taking a bunch of measurements. It is much easier – and faster – to simply lay out the solar pool cover and make the necessary cuts from there.
Always use the sharpest cutting tool you can find. A razor blade works the best, as it’s easier to follow a path around the perimeter of the solar blanket
Conclusion
Now that you know how to properly install your new solar blanket, you will be sure to get the best use out of it. A solar pool cover that is fitted to the size and shape of your pool will heat your pool water better. You will now enjoy a much more comfortable swimming pool as a result.
If you still have questions or concerns after reading this guide, please feel free to leave a comment. We would be happy to assist you with your solar pool cover installation.
Solar blankets are a great way to save money on chemicals. But it’s vital that you take the time to install your new pool cover properly. To recap, here’s a handy list of tips you want to follow:
- You may leave some excess cover around your swimming pool to keep out debris.
- Cut the solar cover so that it butts up against your pool perimeter.
- Use a thicker cover like the NS530 to ensure it stays in place.
- Always place the bubble side down in the water.
- Get some help with freeform solar covers.
Take your time with it. The benefits of using a solar cover are well worth it. You will soon be enjoying a comfortable pool all throughout the swimming season. Lastly, after using them do not forget to check how to clean your pool covers properly before storing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions that pool owners have about solar pool covers. Remember, if you don’t see the answer to a question you have, feel free to leave a comment. We will do our best to help you with your solar cover.
Can you run a pool pump with solar cover on?
Absolutely. You may run your pool pump with your solar blanket on. Pool pumps have no bearing on the cover, and vice versa. You can always feel safe to let your pump run when using a pool blanket. Solar covers will continue to work as intended either way.
Do solar pool covers really work?
Without question. Your solar pool cover will trap heat from the sun and slowly raise the temperature of your pool. Solar rings for pools are another great way to make your pool more comfortable.
They collect heat much the same way that solar blankets do. Your swimming pool will not only feel better, but you’ll save money on chemicals, as well.
This is because the sun’s harmful UV rays aren’t coming into direct contact with your swimming pool water. Solar covers do a great job of blocking these rays while using their heat to your advantage.
Any time you cover your pool, you are keeping out bugs and debris, as well. This, too, goes a long way in preserving pool chemicals. They will be more effective as a result, lessening the frequency in which you buy them. That’s just how efficient are solar pool covers.
Regardless of which thickness or color you choose, you’re typically going to see noticeable temperature improvement. Most solar covers will raise your water temperature by 5 degrees every 12 hours. You’re usually looking at a couple of days’ time to get the results you’re wanting.
How do you keep a solar pool cover from blowing off?
It’s no secret that strong winds can lift pool covers out of the water. This is remedied a couple of different ways. Some people like to use anchors that attach to the covers. This keeps them weighted down in the event of high winds.
Others prefer to leave excess material around the perimeter of their pool. Weights are placed on top of the excess portions of the cover in order to keep it in place. As a refresher, be sure to choose heavy objects that aren’t sharp.
You don’t want to risk tearing your new cover. Another option is to invest in a cover that is made with thicker material. These are heavier by design, and therefore won’t blow away as easily as thinner pool coverings.
Just keep in mind that thicker variations like Blue Wave’s 14 mil NS530 might take longer to heat up your pool’s water. The plus side of this is that a thicker cover will generally retain heat longer than that of a thinner one.
