All Pool Cover Specialists models come with electronic stops and a reversible drive gear.Ĭoverstar’s patented process for heat-sealing the webbing (the part of the cover that runs in the tracks) to the cover fabric makes for a stronger, more durable cover than what most other autocover companies offer, that’ll last longer before it needs replacement.Īll autocovers eventually need replacement, though that replacement time varies depending on the pool’s climate and maintenance level. Other Coverstar selections include patented heat-sealed webbing on the covers, extending the life of the cover fabric. Its stainless-steel gears and bracketry plus its strong drive train and large pulleys make it phenomenally durable and long-lasting. “The Eclipse is by far the best autocover system on the market,” says Smith. Latham offers both Coverstar and Pool Cover Specialists autocovers, but one cover option stands out from the pack. A simpler autocover system may be stored in a pit with an aluminum lid, although a pool owner with a larger budget may opt for an attractive stone lid that matches the coping around the pool.īetween how the autocover is stored, the shape of your pool, the material of the autocover (aluminum, or more durable stainless steel), plus transportation costs to wherever you may live, the cost of the cover can vary greatly, but usually falls somewhere in the $10,000 to $20,000 range. When the pool is open, the cover retracts onto a reel that’s stored either mounted on top of the pool deck, inside a bench, or down in a pit covered with a lid. “An autocover can be removed or deployed in less than a minute,” says Smith, “providing peace of mind that your loved ones are safe, and money isn’t being wasted on unnecessary pool upkeep expenses.” And the speed and convenience with which an autocover deploys adds a cherry on top. An autocover also helps keep your pool warmer, while keeping dirt and leaves out. While an automatic pool cover’s most important function is keeping children safe, the benefits don’t stop there. This can include things like cameras, alarms, fences with self-closing and latching gates, as well as safety covers.” “This is the idea of using multiple safety devices around a swimming pool to help keep children and pets safe.
“In the pool industry, you’ll often hear the term “layers of protection,” explains Mark Smith, Autocover senior product manager at Latham Pool Products. All conjecture on my part.When it comes to pool safety, there’s no such thing as over-preparedness. With the undermount you could probably have track issues if the pool settles or the freeze thaw moves something say in the underground box. What I can see is if people slam the cover open at the end and constantly smash it into the stop that it could pop the little stoppers (that's for deck mount). He said as long as you are not abusive to it the alignment shouldn't be an issue. The young man said honestly we haven't had any cable issues on people that have the t4 yet. Literally all they did was use a grease gun to add some grease to the fittings He told me don't even do it this year call us next year. They didn't charge me for the first year as they came back to adjust my track slightly so they just did it. With steel cables you don't have stretching of the cables so you shouldn't really have alignment issues. Its in the manual and you can take a wrench and make 1/4 turn to tighten it if you see the cover operating real slow or say it struck something in the channel and it slipped. There is a slip clutch bolt that if the cover say gets jammed it will let the motor slip so it doesn't damage it. Hose it off and always be sure you have the cover pump on there and maintain your water level. Keep the cover clean if Crud builds up on it, like pollen or little grit etc. That's just a hose spray walking down the length of each track. As for maintenance for me its occasionally spraying the track to ensure the track doesn't get Crud built up in it. When I know for certain I will respond to this. I remember asking him what the maintenance cost is, I want to say like $180-$190 but I could be off on that. Click to expand.They didn't charge me for the first year as they came back to adjust my track slightly so they just did it.