Need help with argument over closing

mom2joshcanpark

New member
Jul 28, 2019
3
Depauw, In
Pool Size
26
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Intex Krystal Clear
I need help or advice or something on pool cover and wrap.

I have a 26 foot Pro Series pool that has a skimmer that came with the pool, this is not an added to item after install.

I do all the maintenance of the pool and have dealt with pools all the way back to the 80s. And as time goes on I stay educated on how to care for my pool from easier maintenance to successful closings and openings. Staying on top of it is essential for less headaches for me in the long run.

However, I am disabled and cannot do some of this without help, which is where my problem comes into. Please note this is not a bashing husband thread.....

I do not have the money to pay a pool service nor should I have to. My husband will not listen when I explain what I need him to help me with which is to help me pull the pool cover on the pool, ratchet it down, the same for the leaf cover and then the wrap. And I don't know how to explain to him you can't do it how you think it should be done so I was hoping someone could give me some advise. Every year I end up closing and opening the pool in a scream feast and I end up in tears, feeling like Crud every time.

This is the issue. We live in Indiana so have mixed weather all winter. So making the cover stay is essential to all the chemicals I just spent to keep it clear (which he doesn't believe work), and the headache of opening mishaps as years before always happen. We have a mesh cover and use pillows.

1) When I get the pool cover out I like to roll it up where it unrolls going over the pool up on the deck which starts the argument because I think going up to the deck would be more logical than starting at the deck going down. ( The deck is just at the front wall, the pool is 3 feet in the ground at the front and goes down to 0 elevation in the back. So everything at the deck area is easier to maneuver over a 52" wall for 2 people 5'4") . Dealing with a dry cover is easier than trial and error of it falling into the water.

2) Once we get the cover half way on, we start then with the leaf cover. Once on, I then start threading them and make it like shoe laces where both sides have equal amount of cable to rachet them. This rehashes the argument because he doesn't understand that I feel better making both sides equal to make sure they rachet without being too short ended.

3) Then I start going around to measure how much overhang there is on each side. I like it to be equal to compensate any weight pulling inward, he says it doesn't matter. Argument gets more heated by this point.

4) Then I start to ratchet down more for final steps. Then I stop and undo the pump hoses and tuck the covers above the skimmer and he insists on including the skimmer in the cover to get a tighter hold. I explain to him it needs to go above the skimmer to not put weight against the skimmer with the cable or any weight from the weather. This intensifies the argument more, then tells me I need to take the skimmer off then. I then try to explain that's not how that works. I also leave a hose connected to the skimmer to prevent water draining directly by the pool.

5) Then after I get those 2 ratcheted down I move on to the wrap which he says Im stupid to use. So I explain why I want to, which is because we sometimes have wicked wind in Southern Indiana and last year was the first year we used it and though it came undone twice it still did its job and kept the cover on.

So this year he decided he wanted to use the wrap he uses at his stores at work to wrap pallets. I told him I'm not sure if pool wrap is different and I'm not sure it would work. He told me he didn't want to pay for pool wrap because he got 2 rolls free and we were going to use that instead as cling wrap is cling wrap.

So we wrapped the pool the other day, again, he insisted on wrapping the skimmer in the wrap and I suggested it wasn't a good idea as I didnt think it would get a good seal with the gap and I didnt want the pressure of tight wrap on it. Well this just blew things up that he does this for a living and I don't know how to wrap. So I said go ahead and do it how you want but please make sure at least half of the 5 wraps will be above the skimmer.

I was mentally exhausted after getting the pool covered and wrapped for the winter that night which was the day before yesterday. This morning I checked on the pool as we're supposed to get windy weather in a few days and the wrap is completely off laying across the pool. Now I have to tell him and I will buy pool wrap today but have to go back and redo it.

What is your advice to tell him how he needs to understand how this needs to go on (as well as the cover) to where he understands it's not a job of just slapping it on there and I'm not trying to get my way of doing things? Is there a difference between pallet wrap and pool wrap?

And again, I'm not bashing him in any way, he just has his way of wanting to do it, I have been doing it per the instructions, pool store videos, etc, so it's not my way and I am trying my best to not say you're not doing it right, which I just want a clean spring opening and no or less damage to our covers over winter.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.
 
I can only give you the male perspective which is my wife and I have very different ways of making the bed. That is her territory. I stand to the side and do as I am told.

@kimkats @Mdragger88 @YippeeSkippy @zea3 and others can give you female advice.
 
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A couple things to make your life easier-
Put the cover on (all the way, cable & all) then add the leaf cover. I don’t even use the cable thing for my leaf cover, I just use binder clips to attach it to the top rails periodically- it doesn’t blow around/blow away because it’s not solid. It really doesn’t need to be that secure.
The clips (office type binder clips) also help keep the regular cover from flapping so much. I also use them to help me keep the regular cover in place as I am getting it on the pool & working my way around.
I use the “taco method” 🌮. Cover folded 1/2 way (pool side on the outside of the taco). Dragging it slowly to Get it over about 1/2 the pool that way then slowly unfold it the rest of the way while walking.
I have a deck around 1/2 my pool so i start on the deck and we drag it to the 1/2 way point then hold it there. I then use the binder clips to secure the end and the other edges then I go to the outside of the deck & start unfolding the taco (1 person on each side doing this) and we eventually meet in the middle on the ground where I secure it with more binder clips until i can get the little cable through all the grommets & secured. It takes about 10 minutes or so.
I find it easier to start on the deck and my deck is cleaner than the ground so less stuff gets dragged in accidentally.

You are certainly correct about the cable being above the skimmer as to not pull on the skimmer - if he’s worried about the skimmer getting wet/icy from precipitation cover it with a separate small tarp.

Next comes the leaf net- same idea only wayyyy easier because you don’t risk losing it in the pool cuz it just sits on top of the other cover. Takes about 5 minutes & since I just use the binder clips i can take it of easily after the leaf drop, dump it & put it back so there’s not a bunch of decaying leaves sitting there all winter. I do it again in the spring. I am able to deal with the leaf net all by myself. I have a 33ft round pool for reference.
The wrap stuff he used is probably fine. The Saran Wrap stuff is generally not that necessary if you have a mesh cover. The point of the wrap is to help prevent wind from blowing the cover around so much as it gets in between the top rail & the wall which can tear up your cover if you live in a high wind area. Some in dusty areas do feel it also helps keep the dust from making its way in. YMMV
The wrap is however not meant to keep the cover from getting in the pool - that’s the cable’s job.
The wrap shouldn’t be applied in such a way as to prevent the cover from resting on the water or snow & ice buildup can make it pull the walls in.
It sounds like you may need a new helper if you can’t agree- maybe get a couple of the grandkids?
My kids help me - to prevent the scenario you have described with the heard headed hubby 😂
The “helpers” only deal with the application of the main cover itself so it doesn’t end up sinking in the water - not the cable or anything else in the winterizing process except hauling things to & from the shed.
 
I can only give you the male perspective which is my wife and I have very different ways of making the bed. That is her territory. I stand to the side and do as I am told.

@kimkats @Mdragger88 @YippeeSkippy @zea3 and others can give you female advice.
You’ve got the right idea! Happy wife Happy Life!
 
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You cannot take the skimmer off as you risk not being able to keep the liner from shifting. If that happens then you have to get a new liner :shock: so not worth it to even take a chance.

The skimmer should not be included with the cover at all. You are correct you do not want to put any pressure on it.

As far as how to talk to him about how to do things maybe show him the video showing it being done by a "pro" and see if that sinks in. Good luck!
 
It sounds like you mostly take care of the pool so he is coming in just for this effort each year so it makes sense that he wouldn’t understand your methods and wants to share his ideas. I’d say that unless it’s going to cause damage, like the skimmer issue, maybe compromise a bit this year to see how it goes. Then you can both see in real time what works and what could go differently next year.
 
Many of us have a work in progress going until we find what works best for our situation. Situations can differ even between neighbors so there are many ways to skin the cat and some work for multiple situations.

The best part of it all is you have many off seasons and can change gears on the fly if something new doesn't pan out.

Good luck and keep us posted. :)
 
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