HUGE GAP in pool cover

[Gaga's pool]

This huge gap when the cover is on the pool allows all kinds of debris into the pool, even dead critters I am ready to have this “automatic” cover taken out! Very frustrating to pay for something that DOES NOT WORK. I am still trying to find a way to MAKE it work. Installer insists it was installed correctly. The flaps that hang down will not work due to very heavy winds. Pool noodles will not work, too much trouble. The top metal access panels have been bolted down to keep them from being torn off by the wind. A second cover over this one is just way too much trouble and money. Any ideas appreciated!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What manufacturer pool cover is it?

What type of pool do you have? Is this a new pool?

Show us wider pics of the entire pool.

Please create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

 

[Gaga's pool]

Welcome to TFP.

What manufacturer pool cover is it?

What type of pool do you have? Is this a new pool?

Show us wider pics of the entire pool.

Please create your signature with details of your pool and equipment.

Thank you.
It is an APC 365 cover. The pool is fiberglass and it is new.

 

[bmoreswim]

So from your pictures, I think you have a geometry issue. I‘m not sure it can be installed any better. But a few comments. You mention stuff getting into the pool. How does stuff get into the pool? If the pool is covered does the cover rest on the dam wall and thus seal off the pool? I‘m not understanding how stuff gets in. I can see stuff getting into the pit which is an issue unto itself.

That said, here are a few pictures of mine. There is a fundamental difference. My lid sits down even with the deck, but extends 2” below that since it’s 2” thick. Yours doesn’t have that so that’s one strike so to speak. Next is the distance between the top of the fiberglass to the bottom of the lid is large because of the thin lid (mentioned above) and the lower level that the top of the FG sits versus the top of the dam wall in my pool. I know my pictures don’t solve your problem, but they may help to advance the conversation.

A possible solution is to attach something thick and aluminum to the bottom of the cover lid. Perhaps a 3” or greater L profile piece, bolted to the cover. This closes the gap and is the same material. This is assuming I’m dialing in on the actual gap problem. So you would unbolt the cover, attach the L and reattach the cover. Reattaching the cover may be harder if you have closed much of the gap. Obviously it can’t get in the way of the fully closed cover though. Alternately instead of the L idea is to attach an aluminum leading bar that many cover use. Same idea. These are not materials sourced at a store, but through a supply house or your unhelpful cover installer.

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• bmoreswim
• Jun 13, 2020

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• bmoreswim
• Jun 13, 2020

 

[Gaga's pool]

Thank you! I have been studying over all of this. I actually just assumed when I opened the cover and saw all the debris in the pool that the only way it COULD have gotten in was because of the gap. Yes the cover does rest on the wall. I remembered that at some point after closing the pool the cover of the skimmer had blown off. Could all the leaves, frogs, worms, and other things, gotten in the pool through there? I will remember to secure that lid when closing. I know that things get in the pool from off the cover because every time I open it there is debris that wasn’t there when I closed it. I open it every day. Therefore I vacuum everyday. Also there was part of a critter’s head smashed on the top as it rolled out. I am working on your other suggestions and appreciate your ideas. Thanks again.

 

[bmoreswim]

I absolutely get some debris in my pool with the cover closed but it’s at the other end. There is a small gap on the leading bar in the middle where it doesn’t sit flush with the coping. And my decking in that area is slightly sloped towards the pool. Not a problem otherwise because about 5 feet from the pool it slopes away again. But that it certainly one access point. Doesn’t take much space. On the skimmer, stuff shouldn’t escape the skimmer area unless the flap gets stuck down like one of mine does sometimes. So anything in the skimmer could escape unless it’s down in the skimmer basket solidly.