Getting leaves off automatic pool cover - please help!

14 years ago

We are loving our new pool, finished about 2 months ago. However, since it was placed near/under a few trees, we frequently have leaves on our automatic pool cover. We try as hard as we can to get them off before we open the cover, either with a long handled broom or a leaf blower. When it has rained, however, it's really a pain to get them off. We were told it was important to remove most leaves or the cover box will get full and the cover eventually won't open all the way. Our pool is 18' by 42'. I know this problem is only going to get worse as fall arrives! Does anyone have any ideas or techniques they've used, or am I stuck with what I'm doing now? Thanks!!

Featured Answer

poolguynj

14 years ago

When you close, I suggest putting the safety cover on it. The tracks of most auto covers will loosen over time with a snow load, unpumped water and leaves weighing on it. With a safety cover, the auto cover can be safely rolled up in it's nest and the tracks will have none of the potential load pulling on them. Fixing track mounts in not cheap. Been there, Done that.

Scott

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Comments (7)

Rack Etear
14 years ago
I wouldn't freak out about a leaf or 2 getting into the cover pit. Get most of them off the cover and just put blinders on for the really difficult ones to get.

In Seattle, we typically have to clean the boxes out as frequently as the cover fabric gets replaced. Sometimes people completely neglect them and may need cleaning once every 2 years.

I would imagine you are in DC, and I would imagine that we have the same amount of leafy trees.
Niki Friedman
14 years ago
Jeannie,
Where in the DC area are you located? We're in FFX County and we're putting in a pool with an auto cover as we speak!

When are you planning to close your pool? We're really hoping to keep it open until at least mid-Oct!
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jeanniedc
Original Author
14 years ago
viennamommy19: I live in Chevy Chase. I wouldn't have dreamt of NOT doing an automatic cover, for safety reasons, but it's a bit of a pain! I'm definitely getting the sturdy winter cover when we close the pool in October. My pool maintenance company said that my cover box already needs cleaning out, and we've only been swimming for two months!! :(
I guess we'll get used to it...
Rack Etear
14 years ago
"My pool maintenance company said that my cover box already needs cleaning out, and we've only been swimming for two months!! :( "

How would they know that, and if the did, why woudln't they just clean it out. It takes 20 minutes and a garbage bag.
Niki Friedman
14 years ago
We'll probably be in the same boat, Jeannie. I'm afraid of what's going to get caught in there since we back to woods and we have all sorts of trees and crawly things!

How often do you open and close it? My PB said that it's like a garage door opener and you can open and close it as often as you'd like.
jeanniedc
Original Author
14 years ago
Racket: I have all these very heavy flagstone pieces on the box, so I guess it takes some time to lift them up and clean the whole thing out. Who knows?!
Viennamommy: the automatic cover IS like a garage door opener; very simple; takes about 20 - 30 seconds. When it's open , you can't even tell it's there, because of the installation being done at the time of the pool build. No regrets, just the hassle of the leaves due to where we placed the pool (our bad, I guess!)