The weight limit of an automated pool cover depends on the brand and model. How much weight can an automatic pool cover hold? It might need servicing or repairs from time to time, too. It can also easily be cut to the size and shape of your salt water pool.Īs we’re seeing on this page, an automated pool cover on the other hand is mechanical, sturdier, automated (clearly), operated by electricity and much, much more expensive to buy and replace. If you have a small(er) budget, it’s much cheaper than other options like an automated cover. You place the cover bubble side down on the surface of the water since the bubbles help to trap heat and transfer it to the water.Ī solar blanket is great when you want to retain heat in your pool overnight while also getting advantages from reduced water evaporation and perhaps helping to keep debris like leaves and small rodents from falling in and drowning. These days you can get them in many different colors but dark blue like ocean water was the go-to shade back in the day.Ī solar pool cover keeps existing heat in the pool while also helping the sun’s rays penetrate the water and heat the pool water even more as the day goes on and the sun gets higher up in the sky and thus more powerful. What’s the difference between a solar pool cover and an automated pool cover?Ī solar cover or solar blanket is that blue bubbly cover you probably remember seeing at a friend’s pool when you were younger. Product quality, design and water resistance are important. Keep that in mind if you are considering an automatic pool cover for your salt water pool. Splashing in the pool alone can saturate many parts of the pool equipment and since the cover is built to sit on top of the water surface, it’s close enough to get wet regularly.Įven though a salt water pool has a salt content of 2700 ppm – 3400 ppm which is much lower than that found in the ocean – which is around 35,000 ppm – the fact is that it is still salt water which is known to be very corrosive.Įven a metal pool ladder can rust which can leech small amounts of metal into your pool water which can additionally lead to stains on your pool liner.
What happens when these metals parts gets wet with salt water, dry, get wet again with salt water, etc? Is your chosen brand and model high enough quality and designed well enough to withstand the corrosive effects of salt water exposure over time? How susceptible is your automatic pool cover to salt water?
Some models of pool cover may additionally have chain-driven mechanisms which can also corrode. Coping (finishing) which may be made from aluminum.Sliders and pulleys to move the cover over the surface of the pool.The metal screws and nuts as well as end brackets holding the cover in place on the roller.The lid of the cover which may be made from aluminum.The track that the cover wheels turn on as the cover is deploying along with the recessed guide to keep the cover inline.The motor which will typically have a stainless steel shaft and gears.While the actual cover is probably made from a strong vinyl, an automatic pool cover system may have numerous metal parts including: Automatic pool covers are built directly at one end of the pool itself where splashing may occur regularly.
And fences are typically built several feet away from the pool. There have been reports of aluminum pool fences deteriorating over time due to corrosion from salt water from the pool collecting at the base of the fence poles. Both materials are often used in the manufacture of automatic pool cover systems. Salt water – and exposure to water in general – can corrode metals like stainless steel and aluminum. Is an automatic pool cover compatible with a salt water pool? Depending on the model and brand, some automated pool covers might be better suited to resist salt water than others so it’s best to check before purchasing. Salt water is corrosive and can damage metal parts among other parts of your pool. The question is: Can an automatic pool cover be used with a salt water pool given that metal parts may become rusted due to the corrosiveness of salt water?
It will keep debris like leaves and twigs out of the water while also providing some level of security so that a child or small pet cannot fall in although specific models have varying weight limits. An automatic pool cover is electrically operated and is put in the closed position when you are not using the pool.