Solar pool covers

mkmscr · May 9, 2015

Hey forum,
Thinking about buying a solar blanket, cover, fancy bubble wrap for my IG pool. Curious, any experiences with the different mil sizes and have they ever blown away on anyone? I get some decent winds at my house and I don't want to see my new bubble wrap blow away...ha ha.

How about increasing pool temps and helping evaporation? Does it really help?

Does it do anything with chemical balance (PH, FC, TA, etc...) because this sheet of plastic is laying on top all day long?

Defgufman · May 9, 2015

Mine has never blown away. The temp increase can be substantial when your pool is in direct sun. It also keeps the heat trapped overnight it also helps reduce chlorine usage.. My clear heated things better than my newer blue. I would guess it added about 2 months to our season last year. I recommend a reel. The reel has been awesome.

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I also can't use it in the summer or the pool gets way too hot.

mkmscr · May 9, 2015

Great, thanks for information. Any help with pool water evaporation? And for clarity, you like the clear type over the blue? What mil thickness do you use?

Defgufman · May 9, 2015

It does slow down evaporation, our new one is thicker so I'm really grateful for the roller. Get a roller for sure. The clear one seemed to warm the water a bit more.

suzook · May 11, 2015

Defgufman said:
It does slow down evaporation, our new one is thicker so I'm really grateful for the roller. Get a roller for sure. The clear one seemed to warm the water a bit more.

Sorry to jump in, but I bought the cheapest roller last year, and well....it blows. What roller you guys using?

Amanda14 · May 12, 2015

I have a clear 16 mil that has a prorated warranty. I am on my 3rd one and very happy with it. I also have a reel. You have to get a reel for it

Ukie · May 12, 2015

mkmscr said:
Great, thanks for information. Any help with pool water evaporation?

Of course it helps. Have you ever seen how warm pool water evaporates when you use pool on a colder evening?

mkmscr said:
And for clarity, you like the clear type over the blue?

I have a black one. It helps to absorb sun's heat. The only drawback is that I can't see pool lights when cover is on.

smforte · May 12, 2015

I have a 12 mil blue. I cut it in 3 sections to handle better but wish I'd have cut in 4. It has helped save chlorine but doesn't warm much. I've noticed since I've been using it my CC stay at .5 Were always .0 before.

cowboycasey · May 12, 2015

I bought a 16 mil clear but I knew from reading to get a reel for it... I purchased this one

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037TWCH0

It is very nice but I have not put it together so i cant say how good it is yet, sometimes that reel is cheeper elsewhere but I have prime and its free shipping so worked out close to the same price...