New F/Glass build DownUnder - Adelaide - What have I let myself in for?... :)

[riley00dog]

This was one of a few reasons I never seriously considered a pool cover. Sure, I'd like the extra warmth it could maintain, but I couldn't figure out how it wouldn't actually be worse for the pool's upkeep. A cover would completely shutdown skimming. And I couldn't imagine how cleaning a cover of dirt and dust and leaves was any less work than cleaning the pool of those things... So instead I rely on a solar heater and a vac cleaner, and let my filter do its job. Not trying to talk anybody out of using a cover, just knew I would be too lazy to want to use one myself...

For us it was almost a necessity for our heat pump. I think I would cry paying to heat the pool and loosing a good amount to the atmosphere. My skimmer works fine with the cover on. I think having a rectangular shaped pool makes things a little easier. Takes me under 30 seconds to put on and take off. I very much dislike the ugly reel but it is what it is and my kids are swimming year round. If you have a second person to help it is manageable to not dump the contents of the cover into the pool. I’m still trying to train my eldest to do this properly. Have had friends help and we have managed easily by lifting at either side as the end of the cover leaves the pool. I have had people suggest using the blower vac but this wouldn’t work well if there is any amount of water on the cover. For us this is a twice a year occurrence so I will just deal with it usually we have zero leaves in the pool. It’s only in high winds where leaves get carried a fair distance that it’s an issue.

 

[needsajet]

Yeh for sure, the cover is pretty helpful for extending the swim season.

When I get a lot of leaves on the cover I turn the pump on first and then push the leaves to the skimmer. If it's wet or dirty, I use the garden hose to push the leaves, if dry I use my leaf blower. For small amounts, a quick scoop with the pole and leaf net after rolling up the cover gets it done.

 

[riley00dog]

Yeh for sure, the cover is pretty helpful for extending the swim season.

When I get a lot of leaves on the cover I turn the pump on first and then push the leaves to the skimmer. If it's wet or dirty, I use the garden hose to push the leaves, if dry I use my leaf blower. For small amounts, a quick scoop with the pole and leaf net after rolling up the cover gets it done.

That’s a great idea! Going to try with the hose. Still windy today but only a few leaves. Would prefer they went straight into the skinner though. I currently do the immediate scooping with the leaf net after removing the cover.

 

[Dirk]

My skimmer works fine with the cover on.

You mean by pushing things into it manually? Or can your skimmer somehow clear surface gunk while the cover is on? I didn't expect the skimmer to work any worse for just pulling water, but how can it pull off leaves and bugs and pollen, etc with a cover interrupting surface flow?

Wait, are we talking about covers that are suspended over the water, or the kind that float on the water? I was referring to the latter.

 

[riley00dog]

You mean by pushing things into it manually? Or can your skimmer somehow clear surface gunk while the cover is on? I didn't expect the skimmer to work any worse for just pulling water, but how can it pull off leaves and bugs and pollen, etc with a cover interrupting surface flow?

Wait, are we talking about covers that are suspended over the water, or the kind that float on the water? I was referring to the latter.

Float on water cover. It can’t pull leaves bugs and pollen with it on but there is nothing visible on the surface when I put my cover on. Pushing debris manually into the skinner from the top of the cover I think is what is meant. Either by hose, blower etc. Somehow I did get another hairnet full of leaves this morning with the cover on. The surface was clear when I put it on so I’m assuming the wind blew them into the skimmer overnight or this morning before I went out.

 

[Dirk]

Float on water cover. It can’t pull leaves bugs and pollen with it on but there is nothing visible on the surface when I put my cover on. Pushing debris manually into the skinner from the top of the cover I think is what is meant. Either by hose, blower etc. Somehow I did get another hairnet full of leaves this morning with the cover on. The surface was clear when I put it on so I’m assuming the wind blew them into the skimmer overnight or this morning before I went out.

OK, so that's what I meant. I'd rather the heat loss than have to work to clean off the cover. That's the skimmer's job, not mine!! For others, of course, that would be an unacceptable trade. I get that. I'm just lazy!

 

[riley00dog]

OK, so that's what I meant. I'd rather the heat loss than have to work to clean off the cover. That's the skimmer's job, not mine!! For others, of course, that would be an unacceptable trade. I get that. I'm just lazy!

Lol. The way I see it is that the skimmer has to deal with the debris either at the time it hits the water or later when you remove the cover. It’s the same amount. I prefer to scoop it off though rather than wait for the skimmer to do its thing. Definitely a personal preference.

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

Evaporation and heating in the summer months would be my main reason for using the cover - keeping debri out of the pool would be a lower priority.

 

[riley00dog]

Evaporation and heating in the summer months would be my main reason for using the cover - keeping debri out of the pool would be a lower priority.

Absolutely. Evaporation is a big one.

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

In-ground blanket box turned up yesterday.... its relatively huge & heavy at 4m long...

Now all it needs is a nice rectangular hole in the ground...!

 

[kimkats]

Well look at that! That thing is huge! How did you move it?

Kim

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

How did you move it?

I didn't, I haven't and I won't ... LOL...

Let the installers manage this one - It weighs somewhere in the vicinity of 80 to 100Kg (176 - 220 lbs).

 

[riley00dog]

Excellent news about your robot learning to navigate the step. It just needed floaties like all new swimmers [emoji23]

Now, I’m way more excited about your blanket box delivery! Put that at the top of my list of things that I’m jealous of from your build! Silly ugly roller is an eyesore and gets in the way.

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

A small amount of work carried out today - In preparation for burying the blanket box.

Contractors said they would be back later in the afternoon - Yeh right...

Apparently they will be here tomorrow at 07:30am...

 

[kimkats]

Nice hole there. Why can't they just tell the truth? We will get there when we show up!

 

[riley00dog]

Ugh, I was wondering if they’d managed to get it in the ground yet. Obviously it’s a job that can’t be rushed [emoji849] What is with these tradies?

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

Well, they did actually turn up this morning and completed the install - Most consuming time was them laying the base flat and then ensuring the box was centered and level with some slight runoff.

Adding road-base which will form the base for my paving will be the next step and the granite pavers will eventually sit flush with the top of the lid.

Box is in...

With Lid Open...

Box has a right angle gearbox which the user uses a crank handle to wind the pool blanket in. You can also use a correctly sized hex drive socket with an extension and a cheap hand held drill to wind it in if you are lazy...!

 

[kimkats]

Glad to see they did show up and seemed to have done a good job! SWEET!

Just make sure the socket is the correct size and has a solid "bite" so no slipping happens.

Kim

 

[riley00dog]

Awesome! Great to see it in the ground.

 

[Costas > DownUnder]

Will look all that much better when we have some granite layed and have my neighbours old rusty shed (which is right next to the blanket box) screened & hidden with a feature wall.