How to Fit a Solar Pool Blanket
Solar pool blankets help you get the most out of your swimming pool by extending the swim season. Solar blankets raise the temperature of your pool water an average of 15 degrees. A solar cover will also reduce maintenance by preventing leaves and debris from getting into your pool and reduce evaporation as much as 95 percent. All of these benefits make the purchase of a solar pool blanket a sound investment. In order to reap the maximum benefits from your investment, you will want to make sure you have the solar pool blanket properly fitted. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Paper and pencil
- Fine tipped marker
- Ruler or carpenter's square
- Sharp scissors
Instructions
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Measure the length of your pool with a retractable tape measure. Be sure to include the stairs in your measurement.Measure from the outside rim to the outside rim. Next, measure your pool's width at the widest section, taking care to include any stairs or ladders. Measure from the outside rim to outside rim.
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Purchase a cover that is slightly larger than the measurements you have taken. Unroll the cover completely and make sure there are no tears in it. Place the cover on your pool bubble side down. Start at one end of your pool and work toward the other end, unrolling the blanket as you go. Allow any excess material to fall naturally over the sides of the pool. Keep this cover on the pool for around four to six hours to allow any packing creases to completely settle, which allows the blanket to expand.
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3
Take the solar cover off the pool and lay out flat in a dry area. Take a tape measure and start at one end of the blanket. Mark the width of the swimming pool plus an additional six to eight inches with a fine-tipped marker. Start from this mark and measure the length of the swimming pool plus an additional foot of material. Use a ruler or carpenter's square to connect the two points in a straight line. Measure from the end of the line to the edge again to confirm the width is correct, then use the carpenter's square to make a straight line to this edge.
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Cut the blanket on the marked line with a sharp pair of pointed-tipped sewing scissors or heavy-duty utility knife. Cut slowly and carefully to make sure the cut is even. You may want to ask a friend to help hold the cover down while you cut. Discard the excess material. Rinse the solar blanket with a garden hose before placing back on the swimming pool.
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5
Place the solar blanket on the swimming pool once again. The blanket should curve upward slightly around the edges, forming a sort of cup. Locate the skimmer box and make a slit in the blanket approximately six inches long to allow the vacuum hose to reach the box. Check to see if there are any other items such as ladders or slides that need to be trimmed around and do so at this time.
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