Winterizing your Coverstar Automatic Cover

As the swimming season is coming to a close, we wanted to share some information that is often requested this time of year regarding using an Automatic Coverstar cover as a winter cover.  The answer is that it is a matter of personal choice.  We neither recommend nor discourage use of the motorized cover as a winter cover.  We are neutral on this issue.  In order to help you make a decision, we have listed below some of the items you should consider when making your choice. 

1.      When proper precautions are taken, Coverstar Automatic Covers can be successfully used as a winter cover.

2.      During the winter the proper water level must be maintained as the water supports the ice and snowmelt build-up.   The best method is to blow out the 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).

3.      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 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.

4.      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.  This could cause the tracks to pull down, possibly damaging the material to which 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.

5.      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.

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

7.      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.

8.      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.

Coverstar Safety Cover iPad App Update

Coverstar automatic safety cover dealers know nothing helps them close sales like our unique iPad app. Now, Coverstar has expanded our industry-leading app to include modules on mesh and solid safety covers as well! Here's what you'll find:

Interactive Sales Presentation: Concise, compelling presentations make it simple to show homeowners all the safety benefits and features of a Coverstar mesh or solid safety cover, including fabric and color choices, warranty and maintenance info.

Photo Gallery/Upload: This easy-to-use module allows you to load in your own application photos and company logo to create customized photo galleries showcasing your past work and options offered.

Mesh/Solid Quoting/Ordering Tool: Links your iPad directly to measuremypool.com, enabling you to receive a quote in real time and create an order right from the job site!

Video Library: Includes reference library of measuring and installation videos for reference at the job site.

CLICK HERE to download the app!

Pool Safety Tips

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

Multiple Layers of Protection

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 fact, 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 devises 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 the pool closed and locked at all times. 

Pool Toys

Remember to keep toys and inflatables away from the pool when the pool is not us use.  These items can lure a child into 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 Study; United States Consumer Product Safety Commission; National Spa and Pool Institute’s Operation Water Watch; and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Automatic Cover Maintenance and Care

Water Level

Keep the water level in the pool at the mid skimmer level.  If the pool is overfilled, the water can flow over the lowered bond beam into the housing and flood the mechanism. 

Pool Chemistry

We suggest, as all 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 a build up can also create an improper water balance which may cause deterioration of the vinyl cover as well as other cover system components.  A deterioration so caused is not covered by the warranty.  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.  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 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.  Please 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. 

Cleaning the Cover

When you uncover the pool, the water in the pool is transferred from the pool to the top of the cover.  The sun then dries it, causing high concentrations of chlorine on top of the cover that may damage the fabric.  You can wash the cover with a mild hand dish washing liquid as necessary to remove this accumulation.  However, do not use laundry detergent or any other chemicals to clean the cover. 

Cover Guides

Retract the cover completely off the pool and clean the cover guide rope and slider channel.  Use a high pressure nozzle on a garden hose to spray directly into the slots of the aluminum deck guides to remove build-up dirt and debris.  Repeat as often as necessary to keep the guides clean.  Spray into the pulley housing at the end of the guides at close range to remove debris from within the housing.  In windy and dusty areas with blowing dirt, covers may become inoperable until the debris has been hosed from the guides.  In these areas, guides will have to be flushed clean more frequently.  A build-up of sand and/or dirt will grind the webbings causing them to fail prematurely.  The webbings used on our covers have been proven over many years and thousands of covers to last beyond the life of the fabric if the cover guides are kept clean.  Premature webbing failure due to abrasion from debris in the guides is easily preventable and is not covered under the warranty. 

Housing Drains

On recessed systems, frequently check the drain(s) to be certain they drain the housing completely and do not allow water to stay in the housing area.  If water is allowed to stand in the mechanism area over periods of time, the system may become damaged by the constant moisture.  Damage to either electrical or mechanical components resulting from standing water or extended submersion is not covered under the warranty.  Clean leaves and debris from the housing as necessary.  Run the cover over the pool, prop the housing lid open or remove it, and remove the debris in the housing.  Accumulated debris can hinder the proper operation of the cover or damage the cover material. 

Mechanism and Pulleys

Clean all rotating surfaces and pulleys by spraying with a hose nozzle every 3 months or more often in sandy or windy areas.  Use a hose nozzle to completely wash all surfaces of the mechanism to prevent fine dust or sand from accumulating on the moving surfaces of the mechanism. 

Automatic Cover Safety Instructions

To maintain the safety of your Coverstar Automatic cover and pool area, please follow these instructions:

Pool Water Level

Maintain the water level at the middle elevation of the skimmer opening.  If the water drops below this level, the cover may operate under stress.  Never cover the pool without the proper water level under the cover.  The water supports all weight on the surface of the cover.  If the water level is low and water builds up on the cover, severe damage may be done to the coping and/or cover system.

Using the Pool Cover Pump

Water accumulation on the top of the cover can come from rain, snow, over spraying sprinklers, or leaks that may develop in the cover.  Even what appear to be small amounts of water spread over the whole surface of the cover can migrate and accumulate in depressions.  This is dangerous.  Any accumulation of water on the surface of the cover must be removed immediately using the cover pump.  The cover is not a safety cover unless the pump is in place. 

Key Switch Location

All controls for the cover system must be located where the pool is completely visible during the operation of the cover.  All plants and shrubs should be maintained for continuous visibility. 

Partially Covered Pools

It is extremely important to always cover or uncover the pool completely.  Never leave the pool partially covered.  A partially cover pool presents a serious danger as people or pets may drown under the cover. 

Aluminum Lid

The aluminum lid is mounted on top of the finished pool deck and is used to cover the housing.  It is not inteded for anyone to walk or step on this lid.  It can be slippery when wet and walking on it can loosen the support brackets uner it.  Instruct children not to step on the lid.

No Covers Are Built Stronger!

Every pool professional knows: the weakest part of every safety cover is the seams. Only Coverstar uses interlocked and double overlapped seams to dramatically improve weight transfer from the cover material to the seams and webbing. In fact, Coverstar covers are shown to be the stronger than competitive brands' in independent pull tests!

More strong reasons to choose a Coverstar Safety Pool Cover:

• Bar and box tack reinforcement on all perimeter straps for additional strength - a Coverstar exclusive.
• Double Decker edge won't unravel - the cover material is first hemmed then sandwiched between double layers of webbing around the perimeter.
• Heavy duty vinyl nosing pads protect cover against wear from coping and steps.
• Chafing strip sewn to bottom of cover protects the webbing from coping abrasion wear - and won't mark the coping, like other strips!
• Lower profile springs with heavy-duty overlap D-ring (standard on Heavy-Duty Solid and custom covers) - cover lies flat and fits tight!

And...because we build them better, we back them better: with a 20-YEAR WARRANTY (5-year full warranty)!

Coverstar Ipad App Update

This spring, Coverstar released a new iPad application. This tool was designed to help pool builders more effectively present and sell automatic pool covers in the home.  It provides clear, concise and compelling presentations on how Coverstar systems enhance the safety, savings and convenience of the prospective pool owner.  In addition, this application includes:

• A Savings Calculator showing the homeowner exactly how much money can be saved by investing in an automatic cover
• A design tool that allows the homeowner to pick certain features and displays a photograph of pools with those features.
• A Photo Gallery
• Maintenance & care guide

Click on the link below to go to the App Store to download the updated version 2.0 for FREE!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/coverstar-pool-covers/id488239538?mt=8

Included in this update, there is a dealer photo gallery where dealers can capture or transfer photos to their iPad and organize them within this powerful new photo gallery feature.

We hope you will find these upgrades helpful as you and your dealers use this app to sell Coverstar Automatic Covers.