How to Cut a Solar Blanket

Solar blankets are perfect for increasing pool efficiency by using the sun's heat to warm the pool. If you've recently bought a solar blanket, you may be wondering how to make it fit your pool precisely. After all, if it does not fit correctly it will not work efficiently and may blow off entirely. Fortunately, you'll need nothing more to cut your solar blanket to size than a regular pair of scissors and a bit of patience.

Things You'll Need

• Solar pool blanket
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Lay the blanket over the pool, bubble-side down. Make sure that all wrinkles and folds are laid flat. Leave the blanket this way for several days to flatten any folds or wrinkles, as well as to allow for expansion or shrinkage of the blanket when exposed to sunlight and air.

2. Trim the edges of the solar blanket with scissors to make it almost fit the pool. Make sure to cut the blanket a bit larger than you think will be necessary.

3. Leave the blanket for another day or two before re-trimming the edges to make sure that you do not cut the blanket too small.

4. Trim the edges once more so that the blanket dovetails perfectly with the sides of the pool. It should now fit perfectly against the sides of the pool in all directions.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to begin the process of cutting the solar blanket when several calm days are in the forecast. If the blanket overlaps slightly with the side of the pool, a gust of wind can blow it away. (The blanket is normally held in place by surface adhesion.)

• Do not lay the solar blanket on a grassy lawn before, during or after cutting. The blanket can burn through the grass.

References

• Cheappoolproducts.com: Solar Blanket User Guide