Solar cover

[Isshin]

So last year i purchased a new solar cover for my pool. It didn't even last a single season. My water chemistry was kept proper and I was very careful not to put the cover on for several hours after adding chemicals. Has anyone else experienced this? The cover is supposed to have a 5 year warranty but when I contacted them they said that it was attributable to bad water chemistry. How do they know this? Because I tried to make a warranty claim!

Can anyone recommend a good brand or source for a solar cover? I need a 16x 36.

Thanks!

[AnnaK]

Do you keep a log of your test results? If so, make a photocopy and send it to them to support your warranty claim.

If not, it's a good idea to start one. Record each day's test results. I keep a regular notebook (paper! pen! Luddite!) with date/time, pH, FC, CC, TA, CYA, temp. I don't always test all of those but when I do, I write it down. I also have a column for what I added, whether I vacuumed, backwashed/rinsed, whether it rained heavily, that sort of thing. Observations/actions/notes.

It's easy for them to say your cover got wrecked because of bad water chemistry. Make them eat their words and replace your cover by proving them wrong.

[Isshin]

You know it's funny you'd mention that Anna. While I don't keep a log, I do have my water tested at least once a week at the place where I bought it and I know that they keep a computerized record of the results. ooooooooohh I'm going to throw this in their face! Thanks!

[Poconos]

Another thing that will kill them is heat. They usually come with a white plastic cover to put over them when you store them out of the water. I roll mine on a 14' piece of 2" PVC pipe and leave it on the pool deck. Instead of the flimsy white plastic I stitched some cheap white bedsheets together to cover it. You would be surprised how hot it can get at the inside layers. I also remember something in the paper that came with one of mine that stated not to exceed some exteemely low Cl concentration. Thought it was a misprint but it wasn't. Something under 1.0 as I recall. That's their way out. Levels like that are usually useless.
Al

[AnnaK]

You know it's funny you'd mention that Anna. While I don't keep a log, I do have my water tested at least once a week at the place where I bought it and I know that they keep a computerized record of the results. ooooooooohh I'm going to throw this in their face! Thanks!



You need your own test kit! Having your water tested at the store is not very reliable. Their purpose is to sell stuff to you and they will nearly always find something wrong with your water that requires treatment with this or that.

You've invested so much money in your pool, now go buy a good test kit and learn to use it: the Taylor K-2006 or K-2006C is excellent, available at many places but my favorite is http://www.amatoind.com/taylor-testing-reagents-c-30_35.html

Then get a ruled notebook at the grocery store, or use your iPad :)

[Isshin]

Oh, I hear you Anna. I test my own water daily, I just don't keep a journal. I also take it once a week to my local pool place. They are a good bunch of guys and generally have the same readings I do.