This COVERSTAR automatic cover system is set back a few feet from the edge of this fiberglass pool under a standard aluminum lid.

The cover slides through tracks (cover guides) that are embedded into and flush with the pool deck. 

Fiberglass pool shapes come in a variety of common shapes and sizes and most can be covered by an automatic pool cover.  The Coverstar cover system can be easily added during the pool construction process for an elegant integrated look.

For information on COVERSTAR automatic covers, go to COVERSTAR.

Featured System-Slate Lid

Frank Wells of POOLS by DESIGN in Las Cruzes, NM and SouthwestCover Specialist provided us with this photo of a beautifully crafted gunite pool with a Coverstar Eclipse Underguide Automatic Cover System. Working together they were able to create this slate stone lid to hide the leading edge bar, and the rest of the Coverstar pool cover. This is one of many options that you have when looking for a pool cover for your new pool, and there are options as well for when covering your existing pool. There are many options to choose from…check them out HERE!

Latham Pool Builder Academy-Camp Penuel

Coverstar has once again participated in the Latham Pool Builder Academy.  The pool builder academy was organized to give pool builders from around the country an opportunity to receive hands on experience and instruction as they participate in the entire process of building a vinyl liner pool.  The academy begins with the excavation of the hole and concludes with the installation of a Coverstar Automatic Cover System. 

When Latham International first introduced the pool builder academy, it was held in the yard of a homeowner that had purchased a pool and agreed to have the academy at their home.  Several years ago, Latham decided that the pool builder academy provided the perfect opportunity for them and other companies to give back to the community.  Now, each pool builder academy is held at the location of a charitable organization that would really benefit from having a pool.  The entire pool kit, automatic cover and circulation and filtration equipment are donated for the cause. 

This most recent pool builder academy was held Sept 25-29^th in at Camp Penuel in Ironton Mo.  Camp Penuel is a Christen camp that provides over 1500 inter-city kids each summer the opportunity to spend a fun filled week at camp. 

While at camp, these kids experience the beauty of the outdoors as  they participate in water sports on Lake Killarney, going on nature hikes, singing songs around the camp fire, playing team sports, and reading.  Camp Penuel gives these youth an uplifting environment, away from the city streets that they came from, where they can learn more about themselves as well as learn more about God. 

Now, thanks to the pool builder academy, the youth that come to Camp Penuel will also enjoy swimming in a new swimming pool.

Coverstar LLC, is proud to have participated in 6 Pool Builder Academy’s.  Each of these academy’s has given Coverstar the opportunity to give back to the community as well as  meet and work with many great pool builders from around the country. 

Covering & Uncovering the Pool Manually

If there is a loss of electrical power to the system and the cover must be closed or opened  for safety or other reasons, the cover can be closed manually. While this is not easy to do, it can be done by following these steps:

To cover the pool:

1. Remove the cover lid.
2. Pull the ropes to extend the cover out over the pool

To uncover the pool:

1. Remove the cover lid at the non-motor end.
2. Insert a ¾” x ½” adapter onto a ½” ratchet.
3. Insert the ¾” adapter into the end of the cover drive shaft.
4. Ratchet the cover off the pool.   

Note: For largepools, it may be necessary to loosen the cover mechanism’s torque limiter to close the pool.

Proper Pool Cover Maintenance

Extending the life of a pool cover is neither hard nor time consuming. Proper cover maintenance will help lengthen the life of your cover and keep it running smoothly. An automatic pool cover not only provides safety for your loved ones, it can also save you money by reducing heating loss, chemical loss and water evaporation.  Additionally, it can be used to winterize the pool and protect it from the harmful effects of the sun.

Throughout the years Coverstar has identified a number of ways to prevent early wear and tear of automatic pool covers and to increase their life by following some simple maintenance techniques.

•  Keep water levels in your pool at the mid-skimmer level. If the pool is overfilled, water can flow over the bond beam into the housing and flood the mechanism. If the water level is too low, the cover will have a lot more sag in it, which adds more stress and wear to the system.  It is critical to maintain the correct water level especially in the winter months if the cover is being used as a winter cover.  If the water level in the pool is too low to support the weight of the snow load, significant damage can occur to the pool and pool cover. By simply maintaining your water level, it will help keep your system running smoothly.

•  It is also important to monitor the chemistry of the pool water and keep it properly balanced.   Doing this will minimize the harmful effects of chemical imbalance. The general rule is that you only cover a pool that you would swim in. After adding any chemicals to your pool, allow the chemicals to circulate before closing the cover. If you are unsure if it is safe to close the cover, test the water at the surface with your test kit. If the cover is closed before the chemicals have had a chance to mix, this could shorten the life of the fabric or not allow the chemicals to balance properly in the pool. 

•  General cleaning maintenance of the cover, housing drains, pulleys, and cover guides can greatly impact the operation and life of the cover.  Periodically removing debris and dirt from the guides and pulleys with a high pressure hose will allow the cover to operate efficiently. In windy and dusty areas, covers may become inoperable until the debris has been hosed from the guides. The build up of this debris, if not removed, can cause premature wear and tear on all components of the system. 

• When you uncover the pool, the water in the pool is transferred from the pool to the top surface of the cover. The sun then dries it, causing high concentrations of chlorine on top of the cover that may damage the fabric. To remove this build-up and other debris, wash the cover with a mild hand dish washing liquid every 3-6 months. However, do not use laundry detergent or any other chemicals to clean the cover.

• In order to meet ASTM safety standards, a closed cover should have a cover pump in place on top of the cover to remove any accumulated water. Not only is the accumulated water on top of the cover a safety hazard, but the increased weight on top of the cover will strain the system if you try to operate the cover with water on top of it.

• Proper operation of the autocover can also impact its life span. We suggest that homeowners stop the cover a foot before the cover is completely uncovered or covered, then bump the switch to inch the cover until it is fully open or closed.  This will reduce the wear on the ropes and the webbing by preventing hard hits against the coping on the deep end of the pool as the cover is closed and on the cover stops as it is opened.

• Finally, you may want to consider employing the services of a local authorized pool cover professional to provide an annual maintenance and check-up of your pool cover system. They can provide a variety of service options including lubricating and greasing pulleys and fittings, making cover adjustments, tightening loose bolts and screws and cleaning the box and cover.  

 Following these few simple maintenance and autocover care recommendations will help preserve the life not only of your cover, but your pool as well. Taking the time to maintain your cover will pay off and will help to keep it operating safely for many years to come.

Winterizing Your Coverstar Pool Cover!

It’s that time of year to consider winterizing your automatic pool cover.  Although during the winter your pool cover requires less attention, water and/or snow will build up on the cover. If the water level in the pool is not properly maintained, serious damage to the cover can occur. Properly maintaining a pool’s water level prevents excess weight on the top surface of the cover that can cause damage to the cover system.

• During the winter, make at least monthly inspections of the pool’s water level and make sure the cover pump is operating properly so that water on top of the pool cover does not build up. Even a few inches of water on top of the cover is an enormous weight and can pull the cover and guides into the pool. In situations where the water level is too low, you should add water to the pool immediately to better support the water or ice that are on the cover. Your cover will survive any normal winter if these simple precautions are taken.

 

• Make sure your water is chemically balanced before covering the pool for extended periods of time. Double check the water after the chemicals have had a chance to mix completely. This may require checking the pool water a day or two after chemicals have been added. When covering the pool for long periods of time, turn down ozone generators and chemical feeders to their lowest level. Constant long-term build up of ozone can damage the fabric. Place the cover pump on the cover to remove melted snow.

 

Pool Safety Tips...

Automatic safety pool covers are easy and convenient to use but they should not be the only source of protection for your family. Please read our recommendations provided by industry and safety groups listed below and implement as many of them as possible for your pool.

Multiple Safety Layers

Don’t rely on only one system of protection. Layering several safety precautions together provides the strongest safeguard. You should never rely on any one layer to be fail-proof. Enclose the pool with a barrier. In face, fencing may be required in certain areas. Keep all doors and windows leading from the house to the pool area secure. Install self-closing mechanisms on doors. Install only child-proof, self-closing, self-latching gates around the pool.

Your Responsibility 

As a pool owner, be aware that you must ensure your child’s safety. Make sure you have rescue devices that are easily accessible. Never leave a pool with its cover partially closed since children may become trapped under it. Always drain standing water off of your spa or pool cover. A child can drown in as little as two inches of water.

Adult Supervision

There is no substitute for constant adult supervision. Never leave a child alone-even for a second. Most drownings occur during a five minute (or less) lapse in supervision. There is a risk of a child drowning when around any body of water. Maintain constant eye contact with your children when they are around the pool. Do not consider young children water-safe because they have had swimming lessons. Post and enforce rules such as No Running, No Pushing, No Dunking, and Never Swim Alone.

Extend Safety Awareness
Instruct baby-sitters about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and the need for constant supervision. Alert your pool maintenance people, utility personnel, and your neighbors to keep covers, gates, and doors to pool closed and locked at all times.

Pool Toys

Remember to keep toys and inflatables away from the pool when the pool is not in use. These items can lure a child in the pool.

Inspect Equipment

Inspect safety and pool equipment regularly. Preventive devices are only effective if they are in working order. Gate latches, gate closure devices, fences, door and pool alarms, and the pool cover should be inspected frequently to be certain they are working properly.

Sources: Drowning Prevention Society; United States Consumer Product Safety Commission; National Spa and Pool Institute’s Operation Water Watch; and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Operation Finally Home

Construction on a new home was finished in June for one of Lubbock, Texas wounded warriors. Lubbock’s West Texas Home Builders Association built a new 2-story 3-bedroom home that was showcased in their Parade of Homes. In 2009 Marine Corporal Anthony Villarreal was severely burned in a roadside car bomb in Afghanistan. Coverstar had the opportunity to be part of this great operation by donating an Automatic Pool Cover System for the pool that was built and donated by Smithco Pools of Lubbock Texas. Coverstar Central installed the Pool-in-Pool underguide system with a Flush Deck Lid to give this pool its finishing touches and keep the Villarreal family safe and happy for a long time to come.

The water feature with an integrated sensor allows the flow of water to activate when the cover opens and shut off when the cover closes.

The Flush Deck Lid provides a cover for the pool cover housing with no "toe stubbers"/ rough edge.

The Pool in Pool design conceals the track around "free formed" pools

Pool Chemistry...

A quick lesson on pool chemistry from Coverstar that will make your automatic safety cover last:

Coverstar suggests, as all automatic pool cover manufacturers do, that you only cover pool water that you would swim in. If the water is temporarily out of balance due to chemical additive, covering the pool will shorten the life of the fabric. Use a good test kit frequently to maintain proper chemical balance. You must avoid a build-up of chemicals in the pool water that can result in serious damage to pool walls and equipment. Such build-up can also create an improper water balance which may cause deterioration of the vinyl pool cover. After adding any chemicals to your pool, allow the chemicals to circulate before closing the cover. If you are unsure if it is safe to close the pool cover, test the water at the surface with your test kit. Some pH adjusters may create harmful levels of alkalinity (high pH) if not allowed to mix with the water before the cover is closed. The same is true with chlorine shocks.

Some chlorine shocks require as long as 12-24 hours to return to swimmable range. Since safety is often the major reason people purchase a pool cover, we recommend the use of a non-chlorine shock. With this type of shock the cover may be closed in 30 minutes or less. Check with your pool service company for proper usage. The use of floating chlorine feeders is not recommended because they vent chlorine gas that can burn the cover fabric and often remain trapped in the same location.

Featured System...

Are you thrilled with your pool? Does it have a Coverstar™ automatic pool cover? If so, we want to see it – so send us a picture! If we pick your picture, we will showcase it on our website and maybe even on our annual calendar.

We have recently featured Lee-Sure Pools of Albuquerque, New Mexico who designed and built a gorgeous gunite encapsulation pool with an Eclipse underguide automatic cover system. Also, Pacific Pools in St. George, was featured with one of their fantastic pool designs that also used an Eclipseunderguide system. Pacific Pools won the Aqua Choice Award from Aqua Magazine for this featured system.

Just click here and submit your information along with a high quality photo, and we might just feature your pool on our website!

Cover Lids!

Coverstar gives you the option to choose from 4 available cover lids that will cover the automatic cover and mechanism, helping to keep your pool safe and looking its best. The 4 different available lids are the classic aluminum lid, flat-lid, flush-deck lid, and stone or concrete lid.

Classic Aluminum Lid

The automatic cover and mechanism are covered by an attractive anodized aluminum lid. The lid is mounted to the top of the deck and has a very low profile.

Flat-Lid

The ECLIPSE flat lid option is a beautiful way to cover a new or existing automatic safety cover system on rectangular or free form pools. It is made of heavy grade aluminum with an ultra long life durable architectural grade textured finish that is also easy on the feet.

Flush-Deck Lid

The flush deck cover lid option is built into the mechanism housing during construction of the pool so that it is completely flush with the deck around the pool.

Stone or Concrete Lid

Coverstar offers stainless steel brackets as well as an assortment of steel brackets to fit your needs. Brackets can be used for stone or concrete lids that make your cover housing nearly invisible. Coverstar can also manufacture custom brackets to fit your needs. Aluminum trays can be used for tile or brick lids.

Save up to 50% On Electricity

If you have a Coverstar pool cover, you can save up to 50% on your electricity!!! Because most of the dirt and debris that normally falls into a pool is sealed out, thus the filtration cycle can be limited to just a few hours a day. If you want to keep your pool healthy then pool filtration is vitally important for it. An open pool needs to be filtered 8-10 hours a day because dirt, leaves, and insects can accumulate in a pool in just a few hours. That will use unnecessary electricity. Because the Coverstar system is so easy to use, your pool can be covered when it’s not in use. That means you can also save up to 70% on heating, 70% on pool chemicals, 50% on electricity, and 90% on water. In fact, your automatic safety cover can completely pay for itself in just a few years. Now that’s green! Talk about saving money!!

Rope Pulleys

Our stainless steel, double row, rope pulleys are nearly triple the load capacity of standard pulleys!
They provide smooth operation and long life.
Standard pulleys wear out easily causing ropes to break and uneven operation. You get what you pay for!

COVERSTAR QUICK FACT:

Did you know that a pool cover helps raise water temperature anywhere from 7 to 10 degrees?

And there’s no better way to conserve important natural resources than an automatic safety pool cover from COVERSTAR!

It’s like a roof for your pool that helps keep out the undesirable things like dirt, leaves and insects while keeping in the good things, like heat, pool chemicals and water. All that “yucky” stuff!

It’s the perfect “GREEN” solution for pool owners who care about the environment and want to save money on operating costs. And who’s not about saving money these days?

Warranties – We’ve Got You Covered!

Did you know that Coverstar has consistently provided the most comprehensive automatic pool cover warranties in the industry? And this year we’ve made them even better.  We’ve upgraded our UltraGard™ fabric warranty to 7 years, our electric motor to 5 years, and our new PowerFlex™ rope comes with an industry-leading 2 year warranty.

Coverstar has set the standard in product quality and continues to set the standard in backing up our products.  For example, our UltraGard fabric warranty specifically covers our unique heat sealed webbing.  Through a patented process, Coverstar heat seals its webbing to the fabric, whereas, other manufacturers sew their webbing to their fabric – this is the weakest part of the pool cover and is often the first part to fail.   Because of this weak connection, other manufacturers typically do not cover the webbing under their warranty as does Coverstar. 

When it comes to covers, safety is key.  Our goal is to continue to provide you with the best products in the industry – providing you the best warranties demonstrates our commitment to that goal.  

You want options…we’ve got options!

Coverstar continues to lead the industry by driving innovation and reliability in everything it does, and one of the ways that it does that is by offering a wide variety of options to its consumers. From cookie cutter square pools to extravagant large L & T shaped pools, Coverstar has got you covered!

Pool Options

Gunite, Vinyl Liner, Fiberglass, Extreme Cantilever, Vanishing Edge, Large pools, L & T Shaped, Pool-In-Pool

A Coverstar™ cover system can be easily added during the pool construction process for a beautiful integrated look, or after to fit all of these pool types.

Cover Existing

Recessed Topguide, Deck Mounted Bench

If you currently have a pool and you would like to install a Coverstar system on it, this way makes it possible. The recessed topguide system allows us to mount cover guides along the surface of the deck, providing complete coverage of your pool. Using the Deck Mounted Bench, it provides for a convenient and appealing place to hide the system, while adding character and coverage to your pool.

9 Color Options

Navy, Royal, Light Blue, Green, Tan, Brown, Gray, Charcoal, Black

All colors are specially formulated heavy-duty vinyl fabric that utilizes an extruding coating process and closed polyester weave for superior product performance.

Lid Options

Aluminum: mounted to the top of the deck and has very low profile.

Flat-Lid: for new or existing rectangular or free form pools.

Flush Deck Lid: built into the mechanism and is completely flush with deck around the pool.

Stone/Concrete: using stainless steel brackets to hold up the stone or concrete, making your cover housing nearly invisible.

Coping Options

Reusable Formed Concrete Pool Coping Styles

Inclined, Cantilever

Aluminum Deck Edge Styles

Bullnose, Inclined, Rounded

Clip-on Aluminum Coping

Rounded, Fiber Optic Option

A pool coping is the cap on the edge of a swimming pool or spa that is mounted on the bond beam to cap the pool shell wall.

Trust us….the possibilities are endless!

SAFETY is our Priority!

Coverstar knows that you would like to have the peace of mind that everyone is safe so you can truly enjoy your pool without any worries. For this reason, Coverstar has built their systems with the highest quality of materials and fabric which is tested and certified to meet the American standard for testing and materials (ASTM) standard for safety pool covers.

 Coverstar engineers their systems with your safety as the highest priority so that you have comfort and knowledge that your children and animals are safe, even after the cover is closed. Fences and other safety devices can provide some comfort, but none will compare to the level of safety of a Coverstar system. In less than a minute, your pool is easily covered with the flip of a secured key switch to create a barrier that every pool should have. The key switch is located in a secured box to provide from unsafe access.

            Coverstar’s commitment to great engineering and safety is also a commitment to you. It will take the worry out of pool ownership, so you can keep enjoying the pool with your family and friends on any occasion.

Safer, Cleaner, More Efficient....FREE!

While most people are aware of the outstanding safety benefits that automatic pool covers offer, did you know they can help you save money as well?  That’s right, automatic pool covers provide savings on heating, electricity, water and pool chemicals – so much so, that your cover can actually pay for itself in just a few years. That means you can gain the benefits of a safer, cleaner, and more efficient pool-for FREE!

Without A Cover…

Like a house without a roof, a pool without a cover is impossible to heat cost effectively. Without a cover, pool owners must continually replace heat and chemicals lost to simple evaporation. And because the water is exposed to the elements, pool filtration pumps use more electricity than is necessary. That wastes valuable resources needlessly and can cost you a lot of money.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

With A Cover…

There is no better way to conserve important natural resources than an automatic safety pool cover. It’s like a roof for your pool that helps keep out the undesirable things like dirt, leaves and insects while keeping in the good things, like heat, pool chemicals and water. It’s the perfect “Green” solution for pool owners who care about the environment and want to save money on operating costs.

The US Department of Energy said: “Covering a pool when it is not in use is the single most effective means of reducing pool heating costs.”

Source-A consumers Guide To Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy



Here are just a few examples of annual cost savings using an automatic pool cover:

Source: U.S. Department of Energy

New QuickAttach™ Brackets!

Coverstar would like to introduce their new set of QuickAttach™ brackets to our flush lid kit.  These brackets set the standard for ease of system installation.  Their unique design allows the mechanism to be installed into a flush deck lid system faster and easier than standard installations.  Mechanism pulley brackets are locked into a fixed position allowing the mechanism to quickly and easily attach to the mounting brackets on the flush deck riser. 

                                                     

New Coverstar Products For 2011!

As we launch into the 2011 season, Coverstar would like to keep you updated on our new products and services for 2011.



PowerFlex™ Rope:
The PowerFlex™ rope is not only easy to install, it also includes a built-in "shock absorber" which allows the rope to be more forgiving and self adjusting. The PowerFlex rope will allow a cover to open and close straight with fewer rope adjustments than standard rope. The Powerflex rope is black in color, allowing it to blend in and hide within the track. The black die in the rope also adds lubricity to allow for smoother operation as it travels through the guide and around the pulleys.

QuickAttach™ Brackets:
The Quick Attach brackets will allow for a faster and easier than standard installation of either the Eclipse or aluminum mechanism into a polymer housing and flush deck lid system. The mechanisms will be shipped with the pulley brackets already set at the correct width and height allowing the mechanism to be dropped in the quick attach bracket.

Upgraded Warranties:
-Our Ultragard fabric warranty has been increased from 6 to 7 years.
-Our electric motor warranty has increased from 3 to 5 years and includes water damage as long as there is a functioning drainage system.
-And our new PowerFlex rope comes with an industry-leading 2 year "no break" warranty.

Consumer Financing:
Through this exclusive on-line lending program homeowners can receive instant approval and funding within two weeks up to $35,000 to finance their automatic pool cover system.
-Up to $35,000
-680 FICO Score
-25% debt-to-income ratio
-Starting at 6.78%
-Instant Approval
-Approved loans funded in 2 weeks
-Term Loan 

We believe these new products and services will continue to distinguish Coverstar from others within the industry.

NEW PowerFlex™ Rope!

PowerFlex™ rope is the next generation in autocover rope technology.  As a result of a proprietary treatment process, PowerFlex™ rope behaves like a shock absorber that allows it to be more forgiving and self adjusting during operation. It also resists distortion that is common with autocover ropes making it easier to install and operate with fewer adjustments.  The new PowerFlex™ ropes are black which allow them to blend into the background and a special coating adds lubricity to minimize friction along the track.

Coverstar Featured On DIY Network

DiY Network premiered a new show on January 9th called Dream House Log Cabin that followed the newlyweds Fred and Natasha Ruckel as they built their dream log cabin in New York’s Catskill Mountains. Fred and Natasha having living in a cramped apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side and they have decided to turn their dream into a reality. But construction problems and an ambitious schedule threaten the construction of their dream house.

During the Defining The Dream episode that aired on April 26th, some fearless four legged friends ruin Natasha and Fred’s first chance at serenity. As the fire trucks roll up the driveway, one has to wonder if this is a dream or a nightmare. A spa, a landslide, and a flood all stand in the way of getting their dream off the ground. Not to be derailed, Fred and Natasha push ahead, only to encounter more delays that leave them out in the cold.

With all the problems that they had been facing, Adam Marble and the Coverstar East Coast team install a Coverstar recessed top guide automatic pool cover without any issues. The recessed topguide system was a great choice to cover their free form Viking fiberglass pool. Click here and go to the Defining the Dream episode to see the cover installation and Fred and Natasha's thrilled response to their new Coverstar automatic pool cover.

Better Safe Than Sorry

IT’S BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!! Children are most at risk when parents believe they are safely inside the house. A cover is considered the number one safety feature you can have on your pool or spa to prevent children from falling in when no one is around. And with our Secured Key Switch, you won’t have any worries about unsafe access to a COVERSTAR safety cover. Why do you ask? Because the power key switch is located in a lockable box! A COVERSTAR safety cover system is UL listed and certified to meet the stringent standard for automatic safety pool covers. The weather-proof toggle switch locks for secured access. In less than a minute your pool is open or closed. There's no need to put the things you value most at risk. The COVERSTAR safety cover system is designed to give you the kind of peace of mind you need to truly enjoy your pool without worries.

Pool Chemicals

Proper pool chemical levels are essential to maintain healthy water. But, if you don’t have a pool cover they need to be replaced and balanced frequently in pools. That’s a lot of extra money that you don’t have to spend. You can save up to 70% on pool chemicals! It’s easy! A cover keeps pool chemicals from dissipating so quickly, and that helps keep them in balance longer. Like a house without a roof, a pool without a cover is impossible to hear cost effectively. Without a cover, pool owners much continually replace heat and chemicals lost to simple water evaporation. And because the water is exposed to elements, pool filtration pumps use more electricity than necessary. That wastes valuable resources needlessly, and can cost you a lot of money. What that means to you is much less expense and effort in keeping the water ready for swimming. Less effort equals more swimming in your pool!

UL Certified

Any time there is electricity near a pool, you want to be sure it's safe.

Rest assured, a COVERSTAR safety cover system is UL listed AND is certified to meet the stringent standard for automatic safety pool covers. Also, COVERSTAR systems use only cover fabric which is tested and certified to meet American Standard for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard for safety pool covers. With our secured Key Switch, you won’t have any worried about unsafe access to a COVERSTAR safety cover. Why do you ask? Because the power key is located in a lockable box. A COVERSTAR safety cover system is UL listed and certified to meet the stringent standard for automatic safety pool covers. The weather-proof toggle switch locks for secured access. In less than a minute you pool is open or closed.

Latham Pool Builder Academy Wings of Steel

Latham International, the largest manufacturer of in ground swimming pool components, has once again hosted the Pool Builder Academy.  The pool builder academy was organized to give pool builders from around the country an opportunity to receive hands on experience and instruction as they participate in the entire process of building a vinyl liner pool.  The academy begins with the excavation of the hole and concludes with the installation of a Coverstar Automatic Cover System. 

When Latham International first introduced the Pool Builder Academy, it was held in the yard of a homeowner that had purchased a pool and agreed to have the academy at their home.  A few years ago, Latham decided that the Pool Builder Academy provided the perfect opportunity to give back to the community.  Now, Latham works to identify charitable organizations that would really benefit from having a pool. 

This most recent academy was held April 10-14 in Sicklerville NJ.  The recipient of the pool was a home called Wings of Steel.  The homeowners, Chuck and Dorothy Beck, who raised two children of their own, are now the proud parents of 10 special needs children they have adopted.  These children range from 20 months to 20 years of age.  Some of the challenges that the children are faced with day to day are spina bifida, cerebral palsy, heart defects and spinal cord injuries.  Despite these challenges, the Beck family is happy and excited for the water therapy their new pool will provide their children.

At the conclusion of the academy, the Beck family was absolutely thrilled with the pool and very appreciative that we, along with the other companies involved, donated the pool and cover system. 

Coverstar LLC, is proud to have participated in 5 Pool Builder Academy’s.  Each of these academy’s has given Coverstar the opportunity to give back to the community as well as  meet many new pool builders and introduce them to our Coverstar Automatic Cover System. 

The Pool Builder Academy began with measuring and marking the location for the pool. We then watched as the excavator did a fantastic job on excavating for the pool. When the hole was ready, the pool walls were positioned in the hole, bolted together, squared and leveled. The pool was completely plumbed and the concrete collar was poured around the base of the pool walls to end off the day.

Day two began with us dividing the attendees into smaller groups. While working with our group, we installed our polymer housing, one piece rounded vinyl liner encapsulation with 2 ft radius corners and our flush deck lid. While we were installing our components, another group worked on applying a sand/concrete mix to the bottom of the pool. We all worked very quickly on this day as we were working on beating the rain that had been threatening all morning. We all worked together to drop the liner in place then watched as water trucks filled the pool.

We started day three at the hotel going over product presentations. We had the first hour to discuss the benefits of automatic covers, and why they should buy a Coverstar automatic cover. Latham then did a presentation on their products. They also gave instruction on how to measure for a new liner. We then went to the job site to see the progress of the pouring of the concrete deck.

The morning of day 4 was spent installing our system. We worked with the attendees and completed the full cover system installation. All of the attendees were impressed when they saw the cover operate. Some of the attendees had some prior experience working on some of our competitors systems, and after seeing our system, recognized that it is a high quality product.