securing winter cover to AG pool

[kjmelak]

The cool weather here recently in the Northeast has me thinkling of Fall already! I went to the local Job Lot yesterday and bought an "industrial grade" tarp (20' x 30' for a 15' x 24' pool). Question is, what would be the best way to secure the tarp? Should I use vinyl coated cable and string it through the grommets & use some type of locking mechanism, or go with "gator clips"?

Thanks!

[IMherDad]

last year we used the cable system that came with the pool cover and then add some clips we got from Home Depot. I think they cost maybe .50 cents a piece but well worth it!

[sevver]

I use the cable and ratcheting clamp that comes with my cover. I also use clips (http://www.waterwarehouse.com/products/product.aspx?sku=2989p&id=64) that clip to the underside of the upper rail and hold the loose parts down. It works really well if you use lots of clips then the wind does not get under it.

[haze_1956]

Last year I bought a dozen boxes of "Binder Clips" at Staples and used those to attach cover to the top rails. Cost around 10 dollars.

[les_smith]

Here's a previuos post I was involved with:
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=5174

[Macrosill]

I have a "self draining" cover on my 18' round. Each year I buy a new vinyl coated cable to secure it around the pool. I have a winch type mechanism that utilizes a padlock for security. I also have enough top rail clips to place 2 clips on each rail section. This has been the most secure cover I have used. No wind gets under at all. Last year due to a liner leak I had lost almost half the water in the pool. The cover stayed secured in place all winter. Needless to say the "self draining" did not drain due to the loss of water. The cover had filled with water to a little less than a foot of water. I think everything was okay due to the slack in the cover. Had it been too tight a fit the walls may have caved in. This year I plan on using the cover I have and adding a mesh leaf net over it for easy opening next year.

Brian

[kjmelak]

Where can I find a ratchet winch for vinyl coated cable? Is this something I could find in Home Depot?