Maintaining clean fabric surface of your pool cover is just as important as regular maintenance and service. Rinsing and washing the cover fabric at least once a year helps keep the cover looking its best, and can even help extend its overall life span. Automatic pool cover fabric will begin to show some signs of wear as a result of being exposed to environmental elements over time. On average, an automatic pool covers fabric will last 7 years depending on pool water and chemical buildup, sunlight exposure, and other environmental elements. If you have started to notice that your covers fabric is getting stiff, brittle, or cracked in some areas, it is probably time to replace the fabric! 

One of the best ways to help your investment last longer is by cleaning the fabric. Following this simple cleaning routine at least once a year will help prolong the appearance and life span of your pool and automatic pool cover.

Cleaning your Pool Cover

Remove Large Debris from the Cover Regularly

The great thing about automatic pool covers is that they help prevent leaves, debris, and more from getting into your pool. However, because of this you will need to regularly remove large debris from the top of the cover. Dry leaves can removed using a leaf blower or a leaf rake. Wet leaves should either be left to dry first or raked and scooped off of the cover and into a receptacle. If you need to walk on the cover to reach all debris, we recommend wearing lightweight shoes to avoid potentially scuffing the fabric.

Rinse the Cover with Water

Now that all the large debris is removed from the cover you’re ready to rinse it off. With a garden hose, start from the cover box end and begin spraying the debris toward the opposite end of the cover. Place the cover pump in the center of the cover to help remove excess water. You never want to leave large puddles of water on top of the cover for long, as it can put a strain on the motor, reels, and ropes. 

Scrub Gently with a Soft Brush

Use a soft bristled broom or pool brush to scoop any leftover leaves out or scrub any leftover dirt. Then use a Leaf Rake to scoop out debris, while the cover pump removes the pool of collected water. After removing all of the debris and all of the water, roll the cover up all the way.

Wash with a Mild Detergent

Scrubbing with a pool brush will generally get most marks out of the pool covers fabric, but for more stubborn messes you may consider cleaning with a mild dishwashing soap and your pool brush. Once clean, place the cover pump back in the center of the cover and spray the soapy water towards the pump. Allow at least 90% of the water to drain before operating your cover. 

Other Annual Maintenance

You should also have the cover and system inspected and serviced by a professional once per year. They will provide a detailed inspection and look for any parts that may need tightened or replaced. Pool cover parts such as pulleys and sliders will wear over time and, if not replaced, can cause your cover to run poorly or stop working. CoverSafe’s exclusive annual Extended Service Plan includes a full system inspection, cover box cleaning, cover wash with UV treatment application, and a discount on any additional parts!

We offer a variety of automatic pool cover services – installation, seasonal maintenance, repairs, and system or fabric replacements. Call 866-746-8444 for more information.

How to Maintain your Automatic Pool Cover

Automatic pool covers are very reliable pieces of equipment – so just how important is regular maintenance? Similar to cars, automatic pool covers will run smoothly for many years with proper maintenance and regular checkups. Parts like the covers’ ropes, pulleys, and guide feeds should all be inspected by a professional, who will tighten any loose fittings or replace parts if they become worn down. It’s important to catch these possible issues early to avoid a costly and potentially dangerous situation. 

Often times, a majority of automatic pool cover service calls happen after a problem has already occurred. Closely examining each of the cover parts for worn areas and scheduling professional maintenance yearly is the best way to ensure there will be no gaps in your pool season from a broken part. Continue reading to learn more about how to maintain your automatic pool cover to make your investment last for many years to come!

Annual Pool Cover Maintenance

Clean the Cover

Branches, leaves, and other large debris should be removed from the covers surface before every operation of the cover. Any debris that has not been removed will eventually end up cluttering the cover box area. You may consider washing the top surface of the cover to remove dirt or chemical residue. The easiest way to wash the fabric of an automatic pool cover is to use a soft bristle brush and a gentle soap. You may walk on the cover (only while cover is completely closed over the pool) to clean it’s surface with some lightweight shoes to avoid damaging the covers surface. Helpful hint: A complimentary Cover Wash and UV treatment are included with our Extended Service Plans! Your automatic pool cover will be working AND looking like brand new again. 

Note: It’s also very important to keep your cover pump on your cover when it is closed to avoid pooling water on the cover, which can put an enormous strain on the cover system. 

Check the Tracks

At the least once a year, the automatic pool cover tracks should be checked for buildup of leaves, chemicals, or any other debris. You can spray the tracks with a garden hose to remove any debris. Most importantly, if there is any visible damage to any part of the pool cover system we recommend scheduling a service call with one of our professionally trained technicians as soon as possible.

Clean the Cover Box

If you have easy access to the automatic pool cover box, you can clean any branches or leaves that have entered the area near the cover roll. Prop open or remove the cover lid and use a wet/dry shop vacuum to clean leaves and debris from the cover box. A dirty cover box that is left for too long will soon begin fill up with muck and can eventually cause problems for the cover, motor, or other pieces of pool equipment. If you prefer to leave things to a professional, our Basic System Maintenance plan includes cleaning of the cover box as well as full system inspection, tightening of any loose bolts, and lubrication of all pulleys and fittings. 

All things considered, keeping your water chemistry balanced, maintaining a proper water level, and yearly maintenance are the secret to automatic pool cover longevity. Planning ahead with preventative maintenance will keep your pool cover operating smoothly for years to come. We offer a variety of automatic pool cover services – installation, seasonal maintenance, repairs, and system or fabric replacements. Browse all of our services online here. For even more information, please visit coversafe.localhost.com/ or call us at 866-746-8444.

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