Safety pool cover shedding plastic after about four years

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lisa_r

Bronze Supporter
Jan 2, 2018
10
Raleigh, NC
Pulled out our safety pool cover purchased about four years ago. Noticed the trail of blue plastic dust it was leaving behind everywhere. It's for an inground pool that is roughly 15x35.

It is a solid cover with a mesh panel in the middle. We went all out for the safety of it and thinking it would last a few years. If I don't mind dumping tons of blue plastic shavings into my pool, then we could use it.

Search of plastic-free pool covers turned up nothing.

One salesman from another company told me that it isn't normal so I should contact the manufacturer (GLI) who I see has a not-so-great rating on BBB's website.

From the looks of it, ALL safety covers are made with this plastic coating on them.

Does anyone know of any alternatives? Or agree that this is not normal for plastic-coated pool safety covers?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update: Submitted a warranty claim to GLI which was rejected because the damage is just "material breakdown". Wonderful!

"Limitations and Exclusions:

This warranty relates only to manufacturing defects and does not cover discoloration, damage or failure resulting from other causes, including,

but not limited to, acts of God, improper installation, improper maintenance, use during snow season with the pool water more than 18” below

the pool coping, misuse or abuse, consumer negligence, design alteration, accident, fire, ice, exposure to excessive heat or cold, water loss,

material breakdown due to sun degradation, mildew and natural aging.

The manufacturer is not liable for freight, installation, service or labor costs."
 
Last edited:
lisa_r said:
Pulled out our safety pool cover purchased about four years ago. Noticed the trail of blue plastic dust it was leaving behind everywhere. It's for an inground pool that is roughly 15x35.

It is a solid cover with a mesh panel in the middle. We went all out for the safety of it and thinking it would last a few years. If I don't mind dumping tons of blue plastic shavings into my pool, then we could use it.

Search of plastic-free pool covers turned up nothing.

One salesman from another company told me that it isn't normal so I should contact the manufacturer (GLI) who I see has a not-so-great rating on BBB's website.

From the looks of it, ALL safety covers are made with this plastic coating on them.

Does anyone know of any alternatives? Or agree that this is not normal for plastic-coated pool safety covers?
Click to expand...
Good safety covers should last a decade. Got any pictures?
 
Bperry said:
Good safety covers should last a decade. Got any pictures?
Click to expand...

Bperry said:
Good safety covers should last a decade. Got any pictures?
Click to expand...
It's blue on one side, green on the other. Here's a shot of the blue plastic that is just falling off of it in pepper-sized flakes. I'm sure the filter will get the larger flakes but I feel like I am just poisoning my pool with microplastics if I use it this year. In the second picture, I just put my hand on it, made a small swipe, and this is the plastic coming off from that touch.
 

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lisa_r said:
It's blue on one side, green on the other. Here's a shot of the blue plastic that is just falling off of it in pepper-sized flakes. I'm sure the filter will get the larger flakes but I feel like I am just poisoning my pool with microplastics if I use it this year. In the second picture, I just put my hand on it, made a small swipe, and this is the plastic coming off from that touch.
Click to expand...
Are you sure that’s a safety cover? It looks like the more generic tarp material that only lasts a couple years in the sun.
 
lisa_r said:
It's blue on one side, green on the other. Here's a shot of the blue plastic that is just falling off of it in pepper-sized flakes. I'm sure the filter will get the larger flakes but I feel like I am just poisoning my pool with microplastics if I use it this year. In the second picture, I just put my hand on it, made a small swipe, and this is the plastic coming off from that touch.
Click to expand...
I appreciate your feedback. We paid about $800 for it. Uploading images of the tag. It was made by GLI and sold to us as a safety cover.
 

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ASTM F1346 -91 Standard Performance Specification for Manual Safety Covers.

ASTM International developed this standard to reduce the risk of drowning of children under five years of age.

This standard is used by many States and Cities as the mandated pool barrier code, as well as referenced nationally by day-care, adoption and fostering agencies.

Some of the qualifications for the ASTM specification F 1346 -91 include:

The static load test for weight support.

The cover should be able to hold a weight of at least 485 lbs (the estimated average weight of 2 adults and one child) to permit rescue operation.

Perimeter Deflection Tests for entry or entrapment between the cover and the side of the pool.

The cover must demonstrate that any opening is sufficiently small and strong enough to prevent the test object being passed through.

The Surface Drainage Test that safeguards against a dangerous amount of water collecting on the cover’s surface.

Labeling requirements must include basic consumer information such as the warranty information, the appropriate warnings as described in the standard and acknowledge the product as a safety cover.

www.astm.org

Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs

Scope 1.1 This specification establishes requirements for safety covers for swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and wading pools (hereinafter referred to as pools, unless otherwise specified). When correctly installed and used in accordance with the manufactu
www.astm.org www.astm.org

1698082579033.png

 

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JamesW said:
What does GLI say?

Is it under warranty?

What date was it installed?

What does the seller/Installer say?
Click to expand...
I did not do that as a first step. I wanted to first get a feel for whether or not this is "normal". Apparently it isn't. GLI has poor reviews on BBB and I don't know that I'd want a new cover from them even if they offered. Likely they would offer me a discount on new one since we did get a few years out of it and I'm not sure I want another of their covers.

I was also hoping to learn first if there are any alternatives to covers containing plastic. Plastic is inevitably going to degrade so I hope to find some kind of cover that doesn't have plastic in the first place but I'm not sure they exist.
 

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lisa_r said:
GLI has poor reviews on BBB
Click to expand...
The BBB isn't what everyone cracks it up to be. It exists to strongarm companies to pay dues IMO. The company simply responding to a complaint may erase the complaint. The response may be 'tough luck', and they still get credit for responding.


lisa_r said:
Likely they would offer me a discount on new one since we did get a few years out of it and I'm not sure I want another of their covers.
Click to expand...
They have several tiers of covers at different price points. I wouldn't buy the budget cover again but I also wouldn't judge the premium covers based on that experience. In 2012 my looploc cost $2700 installed and last year it was $3k for the new pool. Many are spending $4k or even $5k for the premium covers, as a reference to your $800 cover / product line. Sometimes you win with a budget friendly model, sometimes you don't. It is what it is. :(
 
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Also, 4 years old would put it in the 'summer of lockdowns / fall shortages' when quality control went out the window and any product delivered was welcome, even if it was crud. It got much worse before it got better. Some of those issues may have been fixed by now.
 
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lisa_r said:
GLI has poor reviews on BBB and I don't know that I'd want a new cover from them even if they offered.
Click to expand...
They have some complaints, but any big company will have some complaints.

Part of the problem is that everyone wants to buy the cheapest products they can find and manufacturers are forced to make cuts in quality to cut costs to make sales.

Why did you choose the $800.00 cover?

Did you consider other covers?

If yes, what other covers did you consider and what were the prices?

www.bbb.org

GLI Pool Products | Better Business Bureau® Profile

This organization is not BBB accredited. Pool Supplies in Youngstown, OH. See BBB rating, reviews, complaints, & more.
www.bbb.org www.bbb.org

www.bbb.org

GLI Pool Products | Complaints | Better Business Bureau® Profile

View customer complaints of GLI Pool Products, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides.
www.bbb.org www.bbb.org


1698090391057.png

reviews.birdeye.com

GLI Pool Products - 202 Reviews - Manufacturing in Youngstown, OH - Birdeye

Read 202 customer reviews of GLI Pool Products, one of the best Manufacturing businesses at 215 Sinter Court, Youngstown, OH 44510 United States. Find reviews, ratings, directions, business hours, and book appointments online.
reviews.birdeye.com reviews.birdeye.com
 
lisa_r said:
I did not do that as a first step. I wanted to first get a feel for whether or not this is "normal". Apparently it isn't. GLI has poor reviews on BBB and I don't know that I'd want a new cover from them even if they offered. Likely they would offer me a discount on new one since we did get a few years out of it and I'm not sure I want another of their covers.

I was also hoping to learn first if there are any alternatives to covers containing plastic. Plastic is inevitably going to degrade so I hope to find some kind of cover that doesn't have plastic in the first place but I'm not sure they exist.
Click to expand...
Everything degrades and any cover that isn’t metal will be some type of plastic. The higher end covers will be different and are more of a mesh fabric or polyurethane coated. The one you have looks identical to a tarp from harbor freight.

In either case, you filter should have no trouble catching any that gets in the water. So I wouldn’t hesitate using it again for this winter.
 
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JamesW said:
They have some complaints, but any big company will have some complaints.

Part of the problem is that everyone wants to buy the cheapest products they can find and manufacturers are forced to make cuts in quality to cut costs to make sales.

Why did you choose the $800.00 cover?

Did you consider other covers?

If yes, what other covers did you consider and what were the prices?

www.bbb.org

GLI Pool Products | Better Business Bureau® Profile

This organization is not BBB accredited. Pool Supplies in Youngstown, OH. See BBB rating, reviews, complaints, & more.
www.bbb.org www.bbb.org

www.bbb.org

GLI Pool Products | Complaints | Better Business Bureau® Profile

View customer complaints of GLI Pool Products, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides.
www.bbb.org www.bbb.org


View attachment 537163

reviews.birdeye.com

GLI Pool Products - 202 Reviews - Manufacturing in Youngstown, OH - Birdeye

Read 202 customer reviews of GLI Pool Products, one of the best Manufacturing businesses at 215 Sinter Court, Youngstown, OH 44510 United States. Find reviews, ratings, directions, business hours, and book appointments online.
reviews.birdeye.com reviews.birdeye.com
Click to expand...
This is our first pool. We quickly found the $100 floating bubble wraps don't work & have safety issues so we decided we wanted a true safely cover.
I don't recall what other models were available to be honest. The $800 one seemed to hold enough weight and have a long enough warranty for us.
 
Newdude said:
The BBB isn't what everyone cracks it up to be. It exists to strongarm companies to pay dues IMO. The company simply responding to a complaint may erase the complaint. The response may be 'tough luck', and they still get credit for responding.



They have several tiers of covers at different price points. I wouldn't buy the budget cover again but I also wouldn't judge the premium covers based on that experience. In 2012 my looploc cost $2700 installed and last year it was $3k for the new pool. Many are spending $4k or even $5k for the premium covers, as a reference to your $800 cover / product line. Sometimes you win with a budget friendly model, sometimes you don't. It is what it is. :(
Click to expand...
I'll call the companies to ask about the differences. I see the Loop Loc covers range (for my pool size) from $900 to nearly $2400. While I see differences in thicknesses, warranty, etc. I have a hunch they are all covered in the same plastic but I'll ask.
 
lisa_r said:
I'll call the companies to ask about the differences. I see the Loop Loc covers range (for my pool size) from $900 to nearly $2400. While I see differences in thicknesses, warranty, etc. I have a hunch they are all covered in the same plastic but I'll ask.
Click to expand...

I have a custom solid Meyco cover that is over 20 years old. They are expensive and I think you get what you paid for with pool covers.

meycocovers.com

PermaGuard Pool Covers

PermaGuard solid covers are the preferred choice for homeowners who want super-clean pool openings.
meycocovers.com meycocovers.com
 
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I would recommend a Loop Loc Solid or Meyco or Anchor.

You can even get a picture on the Loop Loc with Logo-Loc.

Maybe a picture of your family or your pets or maybe something else.

You can go to looploc.com/mirage to see what the cover will look like on your pool.

1698105896500.png

1698105811526.png

1698106196909.png
 
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