How to Use a Solar Pool Cover

A Solar pool cover is a very cost effective way to heat your pool this summer. Solar swimming pool covers look like a blue blanket over the pool that resembles bubble wrap on the bottom side. Solar pool covers are also great because they help keep your pool cleaner because less debris will get into the water. Your solar pool cover will also prevent water evaporation, especially if it is covering the pool during the heat of the day.

Things You'll Need

• swimming pool
• solar pool cover

Instructions

1. 

   Purchase the correct size solar pool cover for your swimming pool. You may need to trim some of it for a proper fit. At the same time, purchase a solar cover reel either one that can be hand cranked or automatic.

2. 

   Place your solar pool cover on a big roll (solar pool cover reel) at one end of your pool, preferably the back end/deep end of the pool). Install the solar pool cover roll onto the reel, and make sure that you put it on in a way so that when you unroll it, the bubble side is facing down against the water.

3. 

   Have two people (works best with a big pool) work together to pull the solar cover over the pool. Have one person each grab a corner of the pool cover and pull as you walk to the other end of the pool. This will unroll the solar pool cover over the water.

4. 

   Leave the solar pool cover on the pool for the first few days so it can heat up the pool with the light and heat from the sun. This will heat up your pool so much faster, right in time for your first of the year summer pool party! If you are planning on swimming in the afternoon, just leave the solar swimming pool cover on all day until right before you use it to keep and generate as much heat in the pool as possible.

5. 

   When you want to use the swimming pool, simply use the handle on the roll to roll up the solar swimming pool cover. You might need to pull on it occasionally with your free hand to keep it aligned so it rolls onto the roll evenly. If this sounds like too much work, then purchase an automatic solar swimming pool cover roll.

6. 

   When you are done with the pool for the day promptly place the solar cover over the pool again.

7. 

   Do not allow people or animals to jump into the pool while the solar cover is on. It can be dangerous as well as tear up the solar cover. Once the solar cover gets torn up, it does not work nearly as well and will need to be replaced. We had 2 stray dogs jump in our pool one night and luckily we were home and heard them because they were tangled up in the solar pool cover and would have drowned. Thankfully we were able to get them out. The pool cover was shredded after that and had to be replace. Take care of your pool cover because as with all pool supplies, it's not cheap, but it well worth the investment because it will extend the amount of time you can use your pool each summer.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your pool fenced off to protect children and animals from falling in.

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