When to Replace your Automatic Pool Cover Fabric

Maintenance Made Easy

Automatic safety pool covers offer a peace of mind for many pool owners around the country. However, there are things that can jeopardize that sense of peace when it comes to automatic safety pool covers that can be out of our control. Whether it’s an out of the blue accident, the weather, or time itself. These things can jeopardize the integrity of the cover fabric itself and take your peace of mind along with it. Replacing that fabric can be a solution to regaining that integrity and peace of mind. While there are some obvious signs that show the cover needs to be replaced, there are others that are not so apparent.

On average, an automatic pool cover’s fabric will last 7 years depending on pool water and chemical buildup, sunlight exposure, and other environmental elements. And over time your cover will begin to show some signs of wear as a result of being exposed to environmental elements. If you have started to notice that your cover’s fabric is getting stiff, brittle, or cracked in some areas, it is time to replace the fabric! For a more specific breakdown here are the four major things to look for:

Before and after photos of a backyard pool: the top shows a dirty, debris-covered pool with an old cover, while the bottom shows the same pool clean and neatly covered with a bright blue cover. — Before and After Fabric Replacement

Signs your Cover Fabric is Ready for Replacement

A sheet of dough is being rolled out on a flat surface, with traces of flour visible on the dough and countertop.

Look for signs of wear

Chemicals, temperature variations and ultra violet light can break down the pool cover fabric over time. Look for cracks, peeling and weak spots on the cover where water may be seeping through the surface. When a cover becomes too stiff and brittle, there’s a good chance the fabric may need to be replaced.

A close-up illustration of a hand with manicured nails pinching or gripping a piece of blue fabric, causing a visible crease.

Touch 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 replaced.

Close-up of a blue and white fabric with visible stitching and seams; the blue material appears to be vinyl or plastic, while the white section has a ribbed texture.

Inspect the webbing stitching

Traditional sewn webbing is a likely source of cover problems requiring pool maintenance. On standard pool covers, sewn threads can become frayed, cut or disintegrate over time, leading to cover failure.

A shiny blue fabric being pressed against a ridged metal surface, creating gathered folds where the fabric meets the metal edge.

Watch for bunching in the webbing

Covers with sewn webbing have a tendency to bunch up around the rope, which may cause the fabric to catch and tear on the fabric guides.

If you’ve noticed your automatic pool cover is ready to replaced, we are here to help! Whether it’s contacting us with questions, or even having an experienced technician come out and take a look at your pool cover, CoverSafe is here for you. We have a team dedicated to making sure you always have that peace of mind when it comes to your automatic safety pool cover.

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