Pool Safety Cover Installation Instructions

Before beginning your pool cover installation you'll want to make sure you have all of the following tools:

• Pool Cover, custom fit for installation
• 5 Gallon Buckets (6 - 8)
• Rotary Hammer Drill w/ a 3/4" Concrete Bit
• Installation Rod
• Hammer
• Owner's Manual & Warranty Information
• Shop Vac
• Springs with covers (quantity varies)
• Epoxy
• Brass Anchors (quantity varies)
• Pencil
• Brass Beauty Rings (optional)
• Chalk Line
• Allen Wrench
• Goggles (NOTE: Always wear appropriate eye protection)

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If you have all of the above tools you can begin the installation of your pool cover.

         

1. First you will need to fill the 5 Gallon Buckets with water and place one at each corner of the pool. Place the remaining buckets evenly around the edges of the pool.
   
2. Unroll the cover and place it in position over the pool. Set the buckets over the cover's edges to hold it in place. Adjust the cover for equal overlap on all sides. Mark anchor points 18" from cover. 
   
3. Mark initial 4 anchor points. These should be located at the center strap of each side of the pool. Anchor points must sit 18" from the edge of the cover (not the edge of the pool). They must be in line exactly with each strap.
   
4. Initial anchor installation can begin after you determined- the order in which they will be installed. We recommend beginning with the ends of the pool and then moving on to the sides of the pool. NOTE: before beginning anchor installation, examine Appendix A: Anchor Installation Specifications (see below) to determine ideal tools and methods for different types of decks.
   
5. Use the hammer drill with a 3/4" masonry bit to create a neat 3" deep hole in the deck. If necessary use cool water to keep the drill area cool.
   
6. Use a shop vac to clear the drill area of debris and water.
   
7. If desired, apply a small amount of epoxy glue to the anchor hole. This will create a stronger hold when the anchor is installed.
   
8. Separate the brass insert from the brass anchor casing and set it aside. Use a hammer and tamping tool to push the brass casing into the hole created in Step 5. - Use extreme caution not to damage the deck.
   
9. The brass anchor casing must be pressed until the top is flush with the deck surface. (If some slight chipping on the deck has occured, Anchor Collars may be used to cover the area around the anchor. See Step 10).
   
10. If deck chipping makes Anchor Collars necessary, place a ring over the anchor.
    
11. Use the Allen Wrench to insert the anchor insert into the brass casing. Leave approximately 1/3 of the anchor insert above the deck surface. (This instruction is the same if anchor collars are not used).
    
12. Fasten springs to each of the 4 straps. Tighten straps until springs are compressed by 50%. Place the end of the installation rod through the loop at the end of the spring. Slide the loop up the rod until the rod end can be placed over the anchor.
    
13. Slide the spring down the rod to the deck. Twist the rod to release it from the loop and pull it away from the anchor.
    
14. The strap spring loop should now be held in place by the anchor top. The strap should be held taut. Repeat these steps to install an anchor at each of the 4 straps and then pull the straps onto the anchors.
    
15. Snap a chalk line 18" from the edge of the cover on all four sides of the pool (This line should be aligned with the 4 initial anchors installed already.) This chalk line will ensure that the remaining anchors will be aligned.
    
16. When center straps have been secured to the anchors, begin installing the rest of the anchors. When all anchors have been installed, secure the remaining straps by working your way from the center anchors to the corners.
    
17. Inspect your installation. When complete, the cover will be held taut, roughly even with the deck surface. It should not be drooping down on the pool water. Make sure all springs are no more than 50% compressed.

Appendix A: Anchor Installation Specifications:

For Concrete Decks:

-Use a Rotary Hammer Drill w/ 3/4" Masonry Bit, create 3" deep anchor holes.

For Wood Decks:

-Use a Drill w/ 1 1/2" Self-Boring Bit, countersink a hole 1/8" deep. Drill a 3/4" diameter hole at least 2" deep directly in the center of the hole. Use provided wood screws to secure the anchor to the deck. 

For Brick or Stone Decks:

-Use a Rotary Hammer Drill w/ 1" Masonry Bit, drill through brick or stone to soft ground.
Be extremely careful not to cause damage to brick or stone when drilling.

Appendix B: Raised Areas:

Walls, waterfalls, or elevated spas must have special treatment since there is no deck available to secure an anchor cable buddies will be needed. See instructions for installing a cable kit.

IMPORTANT: When installing a cover with a raised area, this section of the cover MUST be installed first.

1. Locate the section of the cover showing no straps. You will find D-rings under the edge of the cover.

2. Stretch the cover over the pool making sure it is positioned correctly in area to be cabled. Use buckets of water to hold the cover. Adjust for exact overlap, keeping in mind that there will be no overlap in raised wall area. The cover will butt up to the wall.

3. Determine where the cable buddies will be drilled into the obstruction based on the d-ring locations. Install cable buddies per the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Run cable through d-rings and hook d-rings to cable buddies.

5. Using the cable clamp make a loop on one end of the cable and use clamp to hold in place. Hook this to a deck anchor at the beginning of the cabled area.

6. Using the turn buckle for the other end of the cable run cable through turn buckle and hold in place with a cable clamp. Hook the turn buckle to a deck anchor at the other end of the cabled area. Once all d-rings are in place tighten the turn buckle to tighten cable.

7. Once this is completed you can continue with the rest of the cover installation.

Appendix C: Spring Installation

1. Pull end of strap through the first opening in the buckle.

2. Continue down through the middle opening.

3. Place flat end of spring on strap.

4. Pull strap back through the middle.

5. Pull strap down through the remaining opening.

6. The protective spring cover is an important safety feature and should always be placed over the length of the spring.

Thank you to Rayner Covering Systems, Inc for providing the above information.  

For more information on Rayner cover products click here.

How to Handle Cloudy Water in Your Pool

An issue many people have regarding their pools is milky or cloudy pool water. Pools need to be monitored and tested daily to assure that problems do not occur regarding your pool water.  Here are a few main reasons for why your swimming water may be milky or cloudy:  • The #1 reason is that there are insufficient chlorine levels. Chlorine levels need to be kept at a certain level depending on your pool. Your pool chemical containers should help you in determining how much chlorine is needed for your pool.  • Another major reason for milky or cloudy pool water is live and dead algae. If your pool is cloudy but also green, it’s most likely live algae are residing in your swimming pool. If the pool water is a blue or gray then dead algae may be the problem.  • Having your pump not run long enough could lead to dirty water. Filtration is very important to sustaining clean pool water, and if it’s not done at a correct pace then algae and other contaminants are more prone to invade your pool. We recommend that your filtration should run at least half of the day.  • Vacuuming your pool floor can help alleviate milky or cloudy water. Built-up debris can be found on the pool floor. This can be done with a pool vacuum cleaner.  • The balance between your chemicals and the pH content of the pool are very important in sustaining clean pool water. We recommend checking with your local pool supplier to acquire the necessary tools needed for balancing your pool water.  • It’s important to make sure all swimmers that make contact with your pool are showered and clean. Swimmers can carry dirt, body lotion, sunscreen, or anything else that could potentially contaminate your pool water. To help treat poor water quality, check out our chemical line: http://www.poolweb.com/Shop-On-Line/Pool-Chemicals

May--- Water Safety Month

May is water safety month and we wanted to pass along some tips to keep everyone safe around your pool.

Water Safety Tips from our friends at the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)

• Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
• Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.
• Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near pools.
• Equip doors and windows that exit to a pool area with alarms.
• Install a poolside phone, preferably a cordless model, with emergency numbers programmed into speed-dial.
• Post CPR instructions and learn the procedures.
• Keep rescue equipment poolside. Don’t wait for the paramedics to arrive because you will lose valuable life-saving seconds. Four to six minutes without oxygen can cause permanent brain damage or death.
• Keep a first aid kit at poolside.
• Install four-sided isolation fencing, at least five feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, that completely surrounds the pool and prevents direct access from the house and yard.
• Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. If a child is missing, check the pool first; seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.
• Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
• Never prop the gate to a pool area open.
• Don’t rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or other equipment to make a child “water safe.”
• Never assume someone else is watching a child in a pool area.
• Don’t leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.
• Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water; child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble.

http://www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org/

Great Online Calculators for Swimming Pools

We have pulled together some great links to online calculators to help pool owners make the correct calculations. 

 

Pool Volume Calculator

Calculate the volume of water in your pool.

New Salinity Calculator

Use this calculator to see how much salt is needed to bring your pool to the ideal salinity of 3,400 PPM.

Saturation Index Calculator

Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) Calculator for Balancing Your Pool Water

Residential Pool Pump Energy Savings Calculator

Pool owners can save up to 90% when they switch to one of our IntelliFlo® or IntelliPro® Variable Speed Pumps. Calculate how much you can save in utility costs by switching.

Heat Pump Sizing Program

Determine the right heat pump to match to any pool size by clicking on the link at left to download the software. Please allow approximately four minutes for the downloading process. The file is a zipped file and is 53 MB.

AmerBrite LED Lamp Savings Calculator

Calculate your savings by upgrading your pool's incandescent fixtures with AmerBrite® LED Pool Lamps. See how!

IntelliBrite LED Lights Savings Calculator

Discover how much you can save with IntelliBrite® White LED Pool and Spa Lights 

MagicFalls® Waterfall Selector

Our MagicFalls® waterfalls can be customized in a variety of ways—by water effect, lip length, width, and color. A bottom feed option is also available. This selection tool can help you see some of the effects available. See your pool professional to order.

We will be updating and posting more valuable links in the future.

www.poolweb.com

Are Portable Lifts Still ADA Compliant?

Many customers have asked us if a portable lift is still ADA compliant following recent rule changes requiring all pool lifts to be anchored to the deck. The answer is yes... and no.

All "portable" lifts now include an anchoring system to secure the lift to the deck. This new anchor makes the unit ADA compliant. It is up to the owner of the lift to install this anchor and continue to use it on a daily basis as the lifts will still operate whether anchored or not. Most people purchase the more expensive portable lifts because they are planning on regularly moving them. An anchor only makes this mobility more difficult.

All current production models of ADA portable lifts are compliant with the new rules, but it is up to the owner to ensure full compliance on a daily basis. If you do not anchor the lift to the deck, it is no longer ADA compliant under the law.

Due to safety issues, we highly recommend using the anchor whenever the unit is in operation. Many pool owners are now purchasing less expensive permanent lifts as they take up less deck space and are sometimes just as easy to remove and move into storage as a more expensive portable lift.

If you purchased a portable lift prior to the rule change, many manufacturers now offer the anchors as an accessory. Please contact us if you need help obtaining an anchor kit for your lift.

Sealing Cracks in Pools and Decks

There are a number of products on the market that help pool owners and contractors with sealing cracks in decks, pool floors and pool walls. We wanted to take a moment to talk about our best suggestions for sealing up those pesky cracks.

Pool Walls & Floors

Any crack inside the pool can lead to costly leaks. The need for a continuous supply of fresh water into the pool to keep the same water level is not the only concern. Additional regular chemicals are needed to treat that fresh water as well as damaging erosion of supportive backfill can lead to unnecessary costs for a simple crack.

There are no good products on the market that can seal a concrete pool floor or wall when there is water in the pool. You will need to drain the water below the level of the crack before you can seal it properly. We suggest that after you drain the water to below that level, you continue to watch the water level over a day or two to make sure it does not continue to drain. A clear sign of another leak.

Once you have a dry crack, be sure to clean it out throughly before repair. We suggest using a product called Leakmaster crack sealant. It comes in tube form and is actually strengthened and hardened by contact with water. It is on the pricier side, but it is a highly effective product and fixing a crack twice with a cheap product is even more expensive.

For more information, please go to: http://www.poolweb.com/Home/Other-Product/LEAKMASTER-LV-1

Pool Decks

As you know, cracks around the pool deck always get filled with debris and other things that make them look worse than they really are. Filling deck cracks can add years to the life of the deck while also making a decks appearance significantly better. No one wants to walk barefoot on a deck with unsightly cracks all over it.

When looking to repair these cracks or expansion joints, it is important to throughly clean the crack with a hard bristle brush such as an acid washing brush to get all of the debris out. Additionally, you should wash out the crack with clean water to get anything the brush could not reach.

If it is a deep crack, we suggest using a foam backfill rod. This is important to ensure that the crack sealer does not unnecessarily pour down into the depths of the hole.

Use a rod with a width that is wider than your crack (it will compress) to ensure a tight seal. You can use a screw driver to push the rod down into the crack. Check the instructions of the sealer that you are planning on using to get the depth correct.

We suggest using a self leveling two part compound similar to Deck-O-Seal. This product will pour right on top of the backer rod. It should be poured almost to the top of the deck. It will level itself out and give a nice clean finished look when dried. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure proper application.

For more information on pool patching products, visit our website at http://www.poolweb.com/Shop-On-Line/Pool-Patch-Repair

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