Coverstar Automatic Cover Considerations

Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, would like to share the following items to consider when building a pool that will include an automatic cover.

• • Switch location- Having the switch correctly located can prevent many problems and costly repairs. When selecting a location for the switch, keep in mind that you must be able to see the entire pool at all times.
  
  
  
  
  
  It is best if you can be closer to the Leading Edge Bar when the cover is in the open position so you can see that the cover is running straight. We recommend that the switch be located along the length of the pool halfway between the middle of the pool and the mechanism end, not more than twelve feet from water’s edge. Poorly located switches are one of the largest contributors to cover failure because of visibility challenges when operating the cover.

• Drop to water - Drop to water refers to the distance from the cover track to the water level in the pool. For the best possible results, it is important to keep the track as close to the water level as possible. Strive to keep your cover tracks within 4 inches of the water’s surface. The drop to water will be a little more than this in cases where the track is mounted on top of the pool deck. 

• Drag (or resistance) - It takes almost no effort to push or pull a cover across water. Pulling a cover across a dry surface can create a lot of drag or resistance. This drag commonly occurs on freeform pools where the cover guides are mounted outside the shape of the pool.

One way to combat drag is to limit these drag areas to 10% of the total cover size. This is done by keeping the cover tracks as close to edge of the pool as possible. Another way to handle drag is by using blowers. Lifting a cover with blowers requires a significant amount of air flow (more than you might think) and must be done properly. Blowers will create a cushion of air that the cover will ride on rather than riding on the dry surface, significantly reducing the amount of drag.  

 

• Drains- Lack of sufficient drainage is the most frequent cause of cover failure. When a cover housing is flooded, it is not just the motor that might be damaged. The roll-up tube often fills with water, which can weigh several hundred pounds causing the tube to fail and the cover to rip. The best way to protect your automatic cover is to have proper drainage. We recommend at least one three inch (3”) drain. Increasing the size of your drain to four inches (4”) can offer additional protection.  Additional drains can be added to further prevent the possibility of flooding. Drain pipe smaller than three inches is not recommended.

By following the above guidelines, we are confident that your automatic safety cover project will be a pleasant and trouble free experience.

For more information on Coverstar Automatic Covers, please visit www.coverstar.com.

AutoDrain - Automatic Cover Pump

A few months ago, Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, announced the release of AutoDrain.  AutoDrain is a unique cover pump that rides on the cover fabric and positions itself on the automatic safety cover.

The AutoDrain will help keep the closed pool safe as because it turns on automatically when water is detected and will continue to operate until the water has been removed from the top of the cover, eliminating the safety hazard of standing water on the cover. 

Because the AutoDrain positions itself on the cover automatically, it eliminates the need for the homeowner to manually place and remove the cover pump every time the cover is operated, making Coverstar the only truly automatic cover system.

The AutoDrain can be installed on an existing Coverstar automatic covers.  In these cases, a  2-1/2" clearance is required between the pool wall and the bottom of the cover housing lid. 

AutoDrain can be ordered using part number A0060.

For more information on this and other Coverstar Automatic Cover products, please go to www.coverstar.com. 

Preparing your Automatic Cover for Spring

As the swimming season is quickly approaching, swimming pools will soon be uncovered, cleaned, chemicals balanced and prepared for family fun, relaxation and entertaining friends. We would like to remind you that in addition to preparing your pool for spring, it is also important to prepare your Coverstar Automatic Safety Cover for the swimming season. Like anything that is exposed to harsh chemicals and wide variations in environmental conditions, a pool cover also needs regular maintenance.

We recommend that the following items be checked each spring to insure that you’re Coverstar automatic safety cover will operate smoothly and perform reliably.

· Lubricate all pulleys

·Adjust the torque limiter

· Adjust the ropes for smooth cover operation

· Flush dirt from the cover track

· Tighten loose bolts and screws

· Clean leaves and debris out of the cover box and make sure there is adequate drainage from the cover box

· Clean the cover

· Replace sliders and pulleys as needed

In addition to servicing your cover system, spring is a great time to inspect your automatic cover fabric to determine if it needs to be replaced. 

When inspecting your cover, it is important to look for the following:



Look for wear and tear.
Pool chemicals, temperature variations and ultra violet light can break down the pool cover fabric over time. Look for cracks, peeling and week spots on the cover where water may be seeping through the surface.







Feel the cover fabric.
Pool cover fabric should be pliable and supple. When a cover becomes too stiff and brittle, there's a good chance the fabric may need to be repaired or replaced.






Inspect sewn webbing stitching.
Traditional sewn webbing is a likely source of cover problems. On standard pool covers, sewn threads can become frayed, cut or disintegrate over time, leading to cover failure. A cover with sewn webbing is only as safe as the stitching that holds it together. Coverstar is the only automatic cover manufacturer that produces covers with Heat Sealed Webbing, thus eliminating the stitching.





Watch for sewn webbing bunching.
Covers with sewn webbing can bunch up around the rope, which may cause the fabric to catch and tear as it passes through the cover guide feeds.

By properly maintaining your Coverstar Automatic Safety Cover, it will continue to provide the best protection available for your family and your pool investment.  For more information, go to www.coverstar.com.  

Using an Automatic Cover as a Winter Cover

Now that winter is upon us, we wanted to send a reminder about  precautions that are to be taken if using a Coverstar Automatic Cover as a winter cover. 

• During the winter months, it is critical that the proper water level in the pool be maintained as the water provides support for the ice and snowmelt build-up. The best method for maintaining water level is to blow out the plumbing lines and use filter plugs & cover plates so that the water level does not have to be lowered. (If the pool has tile, which might be damaged by freezing, lower the water level to 1 inch below the tile). 

•     The cover pump must be left on the cover and plugged in, so that as water accumulates from the ice and snow melting, it will be pumped off of the cover. Excessive amounts of water should not be allowed to build up on top of the cover. Attempting to break and remove snow, or ice from the cover can cause damage to both the cover itself and the tracks. The cover should never be operated if it has water, snow or ice on it.

• There are some risks associated with using the motorized cover as a winter cover, such as the water level dropping below the recommended level. If the pool loses water because of a leak or for any other reason, there may not be enough support for the cover and snow load. This could cause the tracks to pull down, possibly damaging the coping that it is attached as well as the cover itself. However, if there is adequate slack in the cover and the water level is properly maintained, there is little likelihood of problems occurring.

• The cover is not warranted against damage to the cover or pool due to winter use, just as the warranty does not cover damage due to such things as mudslides, earthquakes, falling trees, etc.

• Leaves and debris should be removed from the cover as they accumulate to avoid damage and staining the cover.

• A cover should only be used as a winter cover if it has the proper slack. Proper slack is determined by where the cover touches the water. When the water level is lowered, the cover should normally touch the water no more that 12 inches from the edge of the pool. Actual slack requirements may vary depending on local conditions.

• Another consideration has to do with the longevity of the cover. The cover will not last as long when used as a winter cover because of added exposure to the elements. If it is not used as the winter cover, it should be cleaned and rolled up during the wintertime.

• A great alternative to using a Coverstar automatic cover when winterizing your pool is to use a Coverstar Mesh or Solid Safety cover. These covers are designed specifically to cover the pool during the winter months. They provide safety and peace of mind knowing that the pool is secure. It will also help keep dirt, leaves and debris out of the pool so less work is required to open the pool in the spring.

We hope these items of consideration are helpful as you maintain your pool and cover through the winter. 
For more information, go to www.coverstar.com
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The Pool & Spa Show - Atlantic City

Jan. 27-29, 2015, The Pool & Spa Show will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City NJ.  Pool Builders from the northeast who attend the show will be able to see the new products and innovations that will be exhibited by hundreds of vendors.   Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, will be one of the vendors who will be participating in this event.

During three days of exhibits, Coverstar will highlight many features that set our automatic cover system apart from our competitors. Some of the features include:

• AutoDrain - This unique cover pump will position itself on the cover, and retract automatically, eliminating the need to manually place and remove the pump prior to operation of the cover
• Heat Sealed Webbing – This webbing eliminates the stitching that often fails in sewn on webbing.  Heat sealed webbing is much stronger and longer lasting then standard sewn on webbing,
• Eclipse Stainless Steel and CS3000 Aluminum Mechanisms – These mechanisms were engineered to provide strength in the harsh pool environment, as well as easy and reliable operation for years to come.
• WiFi Touch Pad Control Switch – The new touch pad can send homeowners notifications via text or email when the cover is opened, when the cover is closed, if the cover has been left open for longer than a set amount of time and more.  
• Coverstar Ipad App - The Coverstar app includes a cost savings calculator that will show homeowners what their potential savings can be when operating a pool with an automatic cover.  It also includes a design tool which allows homeowners to choose from many  automatic cover options and displays photographs of pools that include similar features. 
    

To learn more about Coverstar products and programs, visit us in booth #2419 at The Pool & Spa show, or visit our website www.coverstar.com.   

New Coverstar Products for 2015

Coverstar, a division of Latham Pool Products, strives to be ahead of the market and continually focuses on releasing innovative and reliable products. As the 2015 season quickly approaches, we would like to introduce some additional innovations which will be released this year.

AutoDrain-

AutoDrain is a unique cover pump that rides on the cover fabric and positions itself on the automatic safety cover.

The AutoDrain will help keep the closed pool safe as because it turns on automatically when water is detected and will continue to operate until the water has been removed from the top of the cover, eliminating the safety hazard of standing water on the cover. 

Because the AutoDrain positions itself on the cover automatically, it also eliminates the need for the homeowner to manually place and remove the cover pump every time the cover is operated.

Rotary Limit-

The new rotary limit is a cost effective solution for controlling water features. The rotary limit will not allow the water feature to turn on when the cover is over the pool.  The low profile rotary limit is easy to install and will provide reliable operation for years to come.  

Both the AutoDrain and the Rotary Limit will be available Jan. 30, 2015.  

As we enter into the 2015 season, these new products will again distinguish Coverstar as the market leader in automatic pool cover products.

For further information on these and other Coverstar products and services, please contact us at (800) 617-7283, visit our website at www.coverstar.com or contact our network of authorized distributors or value added resellers. We look forward to working with you in 2015.