Cover-pools cover install: problems?

[hlwimmer]

We're nearing the end of our pool build — it's been a tough process (details on that in another thread).

We had a Cover-pool cover installed today. In many ways it's a nice (very expensive) addition, but two things concern me (and I don't expect to get a straightforward answer from my builder... again, tough process.. thus the question here).

1: End-bar length: the cylindrical bar that "leads" the cover attaches to the track via 2 fittings. It seems to me the bar is about 3+ inches too short as there's a 3in gap on one side and a 1/2in gap on the other. I'd imagine that 1/4in gap might be necessary for expansion/contraction, but the 3in-gap side is so short that the fit is quite loose (not secure on the mount). This doesn't seem right to me. You?

2: Pucker: There is significant pucker on the "lead bar" itself (along the length) as well as some significant puckers on one side. While I don't expect it to be taught, folds and puckers can't be good for the long-term health of the vinyl, right?

Thoughts appreciated. (+ pictures below)

 

[swimcmp]

The leading edge bar just needs centered. It has to be shorter to allow for expansion and contraction. The material is going to pucker as it is actually made wider than your tack width to aloow it to sag onto the water to support the weight of rain water or snowfall.

 

[hlwimmer]

Thanks! ...

I definitely agree on the centered part — that's even in the install literature.

My concern is that — on the far edge, there's more "gap" than there is "bit" on the glider (i.e.: the glider is 5in long and there's a 3in gap (leaving 2in of bite)... and the fit is very loose... like "this doesn't even seem safe" loose. of course centering it would help, but that would leave 1/5in of slop on each end in a situation where 1/4in seems more passable.

Overall: This is a $13K cover. Is it too much to expect that the fit is better?

(POV: I'm a furniture/cabinet-maker... if I cut a piece of walnut trim 2in too short, I'd not nail it up and try to fill it with putty, but get a new piece -- even on my dime -- to correct properly)

 

[bmoreswim]

I'd send the pictures and your thoughts to Cover Pools and see what they say. I think the the bar should clearly be longer - though leaving some for expansion as noted. Though you risk annoying your installer, if it's important to you to get it resolved and they don't agree with you, I'd do that.

 

[swimcmp]

When I order a Coverstar cover for a recessed guide like that. I measure from track face to track face. I don't add or subtract any for width. Coverstar then cuts everything according to that measurement. I would suspect that all cover companies do it the same way. They add however many inches to the width to make the cover fit how it is supposed to.

 

[hlwimmer]

I'd send the pictures and your thoughts to Cover Pools and see what they say. I think the the bar should clearly be longer - though leaving some for expansion as noted. Though you risk annoying your installer, if it's important to you to get it resolved and they don't agree with you, I'd do that.

Thanks... I've reached out to them via their social media channel (I find this to be an oddly responsive shortcut to CS). They've been helpful, but given their method of distribution (dealer-install), they're not being specific.

The bar definitely needs to be centered... and I'd estimate about 1/4in of play at most. If the current length is centered, it would leave more than 1.5in on each side which is way too much even for stability, imho. Of course, this will not be the first thing the GC has to redo (they poured the wrong color concrete – doh!), but I'd not pay $13K for a new motorcycle with mufflers that were cut at unequal and non-spec lengths...

 

[swimcmp]

I would say that the 1.5 inch clearance is just about what every cover I have ever done has. Might be a hair less on some or maybe a hair more on others but that looks about perfect. I would say that you are going to get the same answer from the original manufacturer

 

[BestJoeyEver]

If the gap is 3" on one side and 1/2" on the other, if you centered it, then it would be 1 3/4" on each side, which is not unreasonable for expansion, depending on the length.

It would also mean of your 5" glider you have 3 1/4" of 'bite' which resolves your concern of there being more gap than 'bite'.

#Math

-J