My pool is burning

[merc123]

My pool is about to go up in smoke, literally! Last week I noticed my pool cover was burned. I assumed it was from the leaf embers that might have blown over. Fast forward a few days and I can see it getting worse. Today the wife calls me out and says the pool is smoking! Sure enough we get out there and realize that our 2nd story, bay window is reflecting enough to focus the sun's energy and is burning the pool cover and the pool. I stand in front of the "spot" and about burned the back of my neck.

This is only a "winter" time sport as the sun is lower on the horizon which gives it the perfect environment to reflect the sun onto the side of the pool. The rail was so hot it blistered when you touched it briefly. I guess the windows DO reflect UV light as they sold me on. Now I need to stop it

Update: Good news! Sun’s axis moved slightly and now it’s a pool heater! Best solar cover EVER!

 

[kimkats]

OH MY!!! Yeah that is not good! Maybe an awing over that window?

 

[merc123]

OH MY!!! Yeah that is not good! Maybe an awing over that window?

Sun is almost parallel with it so an awning won't work. I'm looking at reflectivity films to apply to it

 

[kimkats]

That would work and be easy to do once you get a good ladder up there!

 

[Mdragger88]

Is it a bathroom window? Perhaps a frosted matte film?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

That’s pretty cool ... well ... hot I guess. If you had installed the pool a few closer to the house you’d have your own solar powered pool heater....

 

[Dirk]

Wow. Amazing. If you can't get the film to work (or last), a storm shudder would. It'll let in light, and allow some view of the yard, but should block the sun at that angle.

 

[JamesW]

It's more common than most people know. Vinyl siding is the most often affected product. Some pool liners have been burned.

Vinyl Siding Melting Solutions

If you are confronted with melted vinyl siding issues at your home or business, the likely culprit is window reflection melting vinyl. When sunlight bounces off of highly reflective windows, such as low-E windows that have been treated with a solar rejecting material, it can become so...

windowfilmforturf.com

 

[chiefwej]

Put a solar screen on the window.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

FYI - low-e (low emissivity) glass reflects the INFRA RED (IR) portion of sunlight, not UV. That’s where all the thermal heating comes from.

 

[Dirk]

Great video James. Who knew?

 

[merc123]

I bought a film to go over the outside of the window. It'll afford bathroom privacy also since the kids decided to rip the blinds out of the wall. We'll see how it goes.

It's more common than most people know. Vinyl siding is the most often affected product. Some pool liners have been burned.

FYI - low-e (low emissivity) glass reflects the INFRA RED (IR) portion of sunlight, not UV. That’s where all the thermal heating comes from.

It's definitely not something they discuss in the sales pitch!

 

[wireform]

I bought a film to go over the outside of the window. It'll afford bathroom privacy also since the kids decided to rip the blinds out of the wall. We'll see how it goes.






It's definitely not something they discuss in the sales pitch!

Just an idea maybe mount the mini blind on the outside slightly wider then the window to reach the control strings and the like.

 

[SoCal_Pool_Owner]

I had the same issue at my last house where I melted my artificial grass. We put some sunshades on the rear windows, but there is a film specifically designed to disperse that reflected light.

Coolaroo Walnut Cordless UV Blocking Fade Resistant Fabric Exterior Roller Shade 120 in. W x 96 in. L 460082 - The Home Depot

Reduce sun exposure and filter late afternoon glare using this Coolaroo Walnut Cordless Exterior Roller Shade. Resists fading, mildew and staining.

www.homedepot.com

How To Stop Window Reflection

Sunlight Reflected from Double-Paned Low-E Windows, and Damage to Vinyl Siding and Other Materials Sunlight reflecting off windows can cause a glare that is unpleasant for those nearby. Sunlight reflected by low-E energy efficient windows, however, can be magnified into a beam intense enough to...

windowfilmforturf.com

 

[markayash]

Reflect that heat to my pool

 

[scdaren]

So you're telling me... instead of that expensive heat pump I could've just mounted a mirror on my house???

 

[mguzzy]

Wow... you guys have already mentioned all the ideas I had with the exception of one.. grow a hedge. They look nice, add privacy and block the sun too.

 

[markayash]

Wow... you guys have already mentioned all the ideas I had with the exception of one.. grow a hedge. They look nice, had privacy and block the sun too.

I am reporting you for profanity “ block the sun” are bad bad words to use together

 

[mguzzy]

I am reporting you for profanity “ block the sun” are bad bad words to use together

Mark... you are a funny man... I would never suggest that, as I am a child of the sun as well, and I photosynthesize every chance I get!

So if I am reading the pics right, how about a hedge between the pool and the house. That way it will block the sun from reflecting on the pool. Something like Italian Junipers grow really fast (if they work in your climate that is).. just a thought!

 

[Dirk]

It's not clear to me why this is happening. It doesn't seem like the reflection from a flat pane of glass would magnify the sun. Is it because the area being affected is receiving sun directly and from the reflection, in effect getting almost "two full doses?" Does it only happen when the affected area gets both, or can something melt from just the reflection that wouldn't ordinarily melt from just being in the direct sun?