Because of the numerous advantages they provide, automatic pool covers are becoming an increasingly popular addition to backyard swimming pools across the country. Not only are they unrivaled in terms of convenience, but automatic pool covers also help by keeping dirt and debris from entering the pool and allowing chlorine and other pool chemicals to linger in the water for more extended periods, making your job easier.
Although automatic pool covers are incredibly durable, they do encounter problems from time to time, requiring the help of a professional pool repair expert. This article will look at four of the most common issues pool owners might encounter with their automatic pool cover.
Continue reading below to learn more and discover how PoolStar’s team of pool maintenance specialists can help keep your automatic pool cover in the best condition possible.
4 Common Issues You May Encounter with Your Automatic Pool Cover
With so many components involved with automatic pool covers, various parts can break down over time. Although it can be frustrating for any pool owner, most problems can be repaired by calling a dependable pool maintenance specialist. Here are four of the most common problems that you might experience with your automatic pool cover.
Holes or Tears in the Cover
Although most automatic pool covers can last many years, as the material ages, it’s not uncommon for the pool cover material to fray or rip, resulting in tears or holes. While most damage to the pool cover is often due to stress from water weight or people walking across the surface, rodents such as mice, chipmunks, and squirrels are also known to gnaw holes through many pool covers.
Rodents have been known to chew at these covers even while retracted and stored in the cover box. While smaller-sized holes can be fixed using a patch kit, depending on the severity of the damage to your pool cover material, you may need to call a pool maintenance specialist to complete the repairs or replace your pool cover.
Cover Off the Tracks
While owning an automatic pool cover is convenient, it is not uncommon for the pool cover to occasionally fall off the tracks. There are different reasons a pool cover might come off of its tracks. One of the most common reasons this will occur is if the cover is operated while there is excess water on top of it.
If your automatic pool cover has power, but the cover won’t open or close, rather than forcing the cover to move, many pool technicians recommend examining the tracks for any noticeable impediments, such as dirt or debris.
Additionally, lifting the lid of the pool cover will allow you to inspect the system for any issues pertaining to the cover’s rope. In some instances, the rope can become entangled around the system’s reels or require adjustment to ensure that they pull the cover simultaneously.
However, if none of the previously mentioned tips help, you may need to make a service call to a pool maintenance technician to inspect your system, align the cover back on its track, or make necessary repairs or replacements.
Broken Ropes
If you’ve ever closed your cover and heard a loud “pop” sound as one side of your cover stopped moving, that’s often the sound of a broken rope.
Automatic pool covers are powered by a motor, ropes, and a pulley system. As the ropes stretch due to the weight on the cover, you will need to have them adjusted so that the cover material continues to come out square to the shallow end of the pool.
However, over time, the ropes can potentially break. While there are various reasons why your ropes have broken, such as aging, pests chewing at the track cords, or an underlying issue that has to be addressed, it’s crucial that you purchase a replacement to ensure no damage is caused to other components. If you don’t feel comfortable replacing the rope yourself, it’s recommended that you call a local pool repair service to complete the replacement for you.
Damaged Motor
One of the most crucial directions that all pool owners should understand about their automatic pool cover is when to stop the cover so that it does not open too far. Attempting to open the pool cover further than suggested can damage the cover’s material and, in some instances, damage the system’s motor.
This motor can also be damaged in the instance of a poor installation, where the motor experiences water immersion from residual water (often rain runoff) that remains in the cover box. If a builder does not create adequate draining within the cover box drain, this can threaten the life of your pool’s motor.
If you attempt to open or close your automatic pool cover and hear excessive grinding noises, it could indicate a major issue with your system’s motor. If your motor is making strange noises, the first step is to inspect the motor and all of its connections. In some instances, the motor may need to be reset, in which case it’s as simple as locating the reset button and pushing it to reset the system.
However, due to the complex nature of the system’s motor, it’s vital that you do not attempt to repair any damaged or exposed wiring yourself. Instead, contact your local pool service specialist to have a technician schedule a visit to determine what is causing problems with your pool cover’s motor.
Contact PoolStar for Your Automatic Pool Cover Repairs
Keeping your pool clean and covered when not in use is a great way to protect it. Pool cover system maintenance is just one of the many factors pool owners need to keep in mind to best preserve their pool’s quality. Pool maintenance shouldn’t hinder the fun. For a handful of valuable resources, tips, tricks, and helpful guides that all pool owners should have, download the PoolStar Command app today.