Sigh. Add another thing to the list of 'wish I did'. I tried a search, but couldn't seem to find anything relating to post build auto cover installs.
Has anyone added one? From what I gather on Google and Youtube, it appears we'd need the surface tracks with the bench thing to hide the motor.This is a pipe thought currently, but I would like to price it out. I actually never even heard of an auto cover until joining this forum. I understand the cost, but why don't more PB's endorse them? Sounds like a lot of pros compared to cons.
We had one installed two years ago on an existing pool. I think we were out about $10,000, but I can look at the paperwork when I get home.
We have a rectangular pool with stairs at one end that stick out.
They install aluminum rails along the pool, and ours extend past the stairs. I was worried these would create a trip hazard along the edge of the pool as well as at the far edges where they aren't close to the pool because of the stairs. Hasn't been a problem. The rails are very low and rounded.
The reel and motor are along the deep end ledge. We did remove a diving board we weren't using.
The manufacturer wanted to charge $4500 for an aluminum cover to go over the reel and motor. I built one out of pressure treated lumber and covered it in composite decking material -- I essentially built a 2.5' wide, 20-something foot long deck. Saved about $3000.
I LOVE my cover. We tend to keep it covered almost all the time except when we are actually swimming.
First and most importantly, I no longer worry about my toddlers (3.5 and 1.5) outside. The yard is fenced because of the pool and they can't fall in it. The 3 year old quite a good swimmer (he can do the length of the pool if he doesn't get distracted) and he knows not to go in the pool without us, but now I don't worry about him falling in while chasing a ball or something.
The cover keeps almost all debris out of the pool. My robot has almost nothing to do. My chlorine consumption is very minimal.
We don't get rain water in the pool. Not sure if this is a pro or con. It does mean that we have to top up the water from time to time, but my guess is we get a lot less evaporation as well.
We chose a dark grey color and it does a lot to heat the pool. We like the pool quite warm most of the time for the kids. We ran the heater at the beginning of the season, and then it didn't run until the fall.
When we had it installed, we actually thought we would still use our old non-permeable winter cover when we closed for winter, but the PB who did the install said that the auto cover would last longer if it wasn't kept rolled up. No idea if this is true, but we are now in our second winter of using it to cover the pool in the winter. Like our old cover, we don't drain the pool, even below the skimmers (they just plug them up). I did put some pipe insulation along the leading edge because last year a lot of leaves were blown in under that. We have a pump that I leave on the cover during the winter. When it is a mild winter (like this year), it keeps the accumulated rain off pretty well. When it is a harsher winter (like last year), the hose coming from it inevitably freezes often and the snow accumulates. Eventually it warms up for a few days and the snow melts and gets pumped off. I haven't had any problems so far with water load on it, but it is still pretty new.
I would recommend an Auto Cover to anyone who has or is building a pool where there are kids around.