DIY Pool covers???

[tphaggerty]

There are a number of places on the Web that sell them. Otherwise, the money is well spent! The looploc type covers really help keep the pool in good shape over the harsh winters up here in NY.

[mariner09]

I just went to the PoolCenter and saw that the LoopLoc cover was about $700...

What the heck would I be paying $1400 for? Are they that difficult to install?

[ChristopherS64]

I use 6-mil black poly. It cost me around $65.00 for a 40' x 100' roll. This gives me plenty for 2 closings. Summer comes I pull it off and throw it away. Pool is always crystal clear when I open. I have an 18' x 35' kidney.

[mariner09]

How do you secure the tarp?

[waste]

Mariner, if you want to install the spring loaded mesh cover yourself, I'll give you some tips on doing it (the company I work for installs 30 -50 of them a year). You'll need a hammer drill and a new 3/4" bit (Home Depot should rent the drill, but you definately want a new bit - we pay ~$85 per). This also ***umes a concrete deck at least 3' all around the pool, if you have a different type deck, let me know. Also, is the pool ~ rectangle?
If you want to tackle it yourself, I'll gladly tell you how to do it, but the post will be a long one. Good luck, whichever way you choose.

[mariner09]

The pool is rectangular with steps at one end and cut corners, not rounded.

I'll have to do some measuring to be prcise, but I'm sure it's the 16x32 w/ 4x8 steps.

The only reason I'm thinking of the LoopLoc cover is because I have dogs and kids.

There is concrete all around the pool, I'm noy sure it's 36" in every direction, will check and get back. LoopLoc site claims only 18" required.

[JohnT]

There is concrete all around the pool, I'm noy sure it's 36" in every direction, will check and get back. LoopLoc site claims only 18" required.

18" from the pool is where the anchors are set. Steps and corners can get tricky, so 3 ft is good to have. Get a good, accurate drawing of your pool and the concrete, including steps, diving boards etc.. They will custom design a cover for you and send you a drawing to show where holes need to be. You can put posts in the ground outside the pad if needed.

I got a Loop-Loc for my 20X36 grecian from poolcenter.com for around $1275, which included everything needed to install. I bought a new 3/4" hammer drill bit for around $30 at Lowe's that did a fine job on the 36 holes I needed. Even if you have to buy the drill, installing it yourself is the way to go.