One of the best assistants for a pool owner is a pool cover. There are basically 2 types of manual cover; a Floating Solar Cover and a Winter/Leaf Cover and this time I’m going to concentrate on the floating type.

Any type of poolcover will reduce chemical usage by reducing the amount of pollutants that enter the water, and will increase the swimming season (with or without a heater) by reducing heat losses associated with evaporation.

A Floating Cover is basically industrial-strength blue bubblewrap with attitude. The better, most cost-effective, types are UV-stabilised. All pool-covers are made from plastics and plastics eventually break down in strong sunlight. Floating covers must be used with a storage roller to prevent the bubbles on the underside of the cover being dragged across the deliberately rough surface of the pool surround which would reduce lifespan. The roller should be fitted with wheels so you can move it away from the pool when the cover is off the pool.

2 years ago we began installing Daisy Pool Covers, which are made in Spain from space-age Australian materials, and carry an astonishing 8 year guarantee! They are no dearer than the traditional cover but a life of 8 years makes them far cheaper overall. The manufacturers claim that the material is so efficient that the cover has to be protected with a white, reflective sleeve when it is on the roller - to prevent it from melting and fusing into a solid lump! Happily, they provide the sleeve with the cover.

This is how we make a Daisy Floating Poolcover: - We visit the pool and take accurate measurements. We then weld together a cover that is slightly larger than the pool and float it on the water. Then we take a pair of scissors, a sharp knife and a deep breath; and cut the cover exactly to size. We form the cover into the curves of the Roman End, leave cut-outs for ladder steps, etc., always complying with the Pool Industry Safety Guidelines.

Next, we attach the cover to the roller, and set the system up. We then teach the client how to operate it correctly it to get the maximum life-span from the equipment. (Daisy covers don’t need to be edged - they’re welded together rather than being stitched - and are cut and fitted in one go).
Most Floating Covers can be deployed and removed by one person in a couple of minutes.

An automatic pool-cleaner can function beneath a floating pool cover. Please see our website with more information on Pool Covers and other pool-related items:
www.deep-blue-pools.com/pool_covers.htm

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