Coverstar Participates in the Latham Pool Builder Academy

Twice a year, Latham Pool Products organizes the Pool Builder Academy to give pool builders from around the country an opportunity to receive hands on experience while helping build a pool from start to finish in 3 ½ days.  Those that attend the academy vary in their experience within the pool industry.  Some are new pool builders who are just starting out.  Others are working in pool service and want to learn and expand into the construction side of the business.  Regardless of their experience level, they come with a desire to learn and a willingness to work hard to build a pool.  

When Latham Pool Products first introduced the pool builder academy, they would work with a homeowner that was having a pool built in their yard and get their approval to host the academy.  A few years ago, they decided to go one step further and to identify a family who would really benefit from having a pool, and with the cooperation of other companies, donate the entire pool. 

This most recent academy was held Oct 21-25 in Chesapeake VA.  The recipient of this pool was a wonderful family that has a special needs daughter.  This daughter absolutely loves the water and will benefit from the water therapy the pool will provide.  Her love of the water was evident at the conclusion of the build as we saw this precious girl sit on the edge of the pool with her father, and kick her feet in the water.  The smile on her face made all of the aches and pains from the long hours of work fade away. 

The Pool Builder Academy has given Coverstar the opportunity to, not only give back to the community, but it has also allowed us to meet many new pool builders and let them see our products first hand.

Coverstar is proud to have participated in 7 Pool Builder Academy’s. Below are several pictures that show the pool progressing through the construction process, including the installation of the Coverstar Automatic Safety Cover. 





Solid & Mesh Cover Care

Water Level
The water level in the pool should always be kept within 12" of the top of the pool wall.

Spring Tension
Initially, adjust the straps so that they are set to at least half compression. This will keep the cover tight and aid in draining. The springs should be checked periodically and the straps adjusted to maintain this tension.

Water Treatment
Be sure your pool has the proper level of sanitizer and algaecide before closing it for the winter. This will insure that the water is clear upon opening in the spring. If the cover is left on when the temperature has gone beyond 60 degrees F., it may be necessary to add algaecide to maintain clarity.

Snow & Water
Large accumulations of snow should be carefully removed, taking precautions not to damage the cover. Likewise, if a large puddle of water accumulates, it should be removed immediately by directing it to the drain or by using a weighted cover pump. The straps should be readjusted to prevent a reoccurrence. Failure to perform this maintenance could result in stretching or damage to the other cover components. Drainage can be facilitated by slightly loosening the strap that runs through the drain areas while tightening the straps away from the drain. A small amount of puddling is normal and will evaporate in dry weather. If you have questions about these or any procedures, please contact your cover installer.

Debris & Standing Water
Standing water resulting from melting snow and rain must be removed immediately. Covered pools located in heavily wooded areas are susceptible to accumulation of leaves,needles and other debris that will inhibit water flow to and through the "Invis-A-Drain". It is very important to keep the drain clear of debris at all times. Water can be removed by placing a weighted pool cover pump in a suitable location on the cover. Cover pumps are available local pool dealers.

Abrasive Coping
For covers not ordered with sewn-on padding, it is required that our loose 2'x 20' padding be placed as a barrier between rough or sharp coping and the cover itself. Failure to do so will void the warranty. Periodic examination of the cover is necessary for detection of early signs of wear.

Removal
The cover may be hosed off and should be allowed to dry before fan folding for storage in its mesh bag. Cover cleaner and treatments, available at most pool supply stores, are also recommended.

Anchors
After removing or prior to installing the cover, clean out all the anchor sockets with a stream of compressed air or water. This biannual cleaning will assure proper anchor function. Applying spray silicone to these components will also be beneficial to their proper operation. When the cover is not in use, screw anchors down completely to keep out debris and prevent tripping and foot injuries.

Coverstar Featured Product - Heat Sealed Webbing

Automatic Pool Covers have seen great innovations through the years.  Some of these innovations allow automatic pool covers to be installed on a larger variety of pool shapes and sizes, while other innovations have improved the reliability of the cover.

In 2003, Coverstar introduced one of our innovations that significantly improved the reliability of automatic covers - Heat Sealed Webbing. 

The webbing is the material that is attached to the sides of the cover and that actually rides in and locks into the cover track.  Traditionally, the webbing is sewn to the cover fabric, making this webbing to fabric connection only as strong as the stitches. 

As the stitches are exposed to the harmful effects of the sun, they begin to weaken and eventually break.  Automatic covers with the sewn-on webbing are often replaced because the webbing went bad, not because the cover fabric went bad. 

Coverstar’s Patented Heat Sealed Webbing is attached to the cover through a process that actually bonds the webbing to the fabric without sewing.  This attachment is much stronger and much longer lasting than sewn webbing. 

To see more information on the differences between Heat Sealed Webbing and sewn webbing, click HERE.