Maximize Longevity of Your Pool Tarp: Expert Tips

Routine Maintenance of Your Pool Tarp is Essential  

Maximizing the life of your tarp and how efficient it is for your pool can start with keeping it clean. The dirt and debris, leaves, and other things that you initially look over can cause big problems. Mold and mildew can grow on the tarp because leaves and other organic material will keep moisture against the tarp. Mold can cause deterioration of the tarp and change the color of the tarp. More debris means more sluggishness in the tarp. The dirt and debris can be windshild. This can cause micro tears and other destruction of the tarp. To clean your pool cover, you have have to remove large debris by blowing it off with the leaf blower and use a gentile brush that will not scratch and is not stiff. For a more deep cleaning, a low irritant soap can be used on a cloth and scrubbed lightly. The cover needs to be rinsed off afterward. When you store or retract the cover, ensure it has dried off entirely.Setting up a consistent cleaning schedule, preferably every other week during peak usage seasons, will greatly extend the functional lifespan of your pool tarp.

Storing Your Pool Cover During Off Seasons

The way you store your pool cover gives it the best chance of lasting for years to come. Correct storage protects your cover from the elements and the wear and tear that can lead to damage, Pool Cover Storage is about finding the best materials to store your cover and the best way to keep it safe. Before storing your cover for the winter, ensure it is cleaned and completely dry. Any moisture will lead to the perfect conditions for mold and mildew. After drying, fold the tarp nice and flat as opposed to tightly rolling it. Tightly rolling your cover will cause harsh creasing that will weaken and lead to a break depending on how the cover is used. If you have a cover bag, of if you have the cover's original packaging, use that to protect it from dust, dirt, and pests. The best storage environments are always cool, dry, and no direct sunlight. Your pool cover shouldn't go in damp basements or hot attics because extreme changes in temperature will lead to faster damage. Finally, stacked items should not rest on your folded pool cover, because it can weaken the material's elasticity.

Before tarping, if you have a cover reel system, inspect it to confirm it operates smoothly. Broken cover reel systems will create uneven winds and stress points, leading to significant tarp damage. These practices will allow you to store tarps in excellent condition, ensuring they perform as you need them to.

When you use your pool tarp, how you handle it can help ensure it lasts a long time. Damage can occur when people do not use correct techniques. When you are removing, moving, or repositioning the tarp, do not slide or drag the tarp over surfaces like concrete or stone. This can create little rips and tears. Instead of dragging the tarp, lift it and carry it. Be careful about the pool deck sharp corners and the furniture around the pool. Those can puncture the tarp. Make sure the tarp is tightly secured, but not too tightly. If it is too tight, it can tear during extreme heat or cold when the materials expand and contract. Damage is first likely to show up at the edges and seams, so be sure to do a visual inspection of those pieces first. Repair any tears you may find to help avoid the rips getting worse. If you need to walk on the cover, do so with even weight and do not wear shoes with sharp edges.

Be careful to avoid walking on the cover at all, since simply walking on it even if the weight is distributed will still damage the material. Forming these careful handling habits may take some extra time at the start, but it will greatly increase the longevity of your pool tarp.

Protection from Environmental Factors

Harsh sun, weather and chemicals are the biggest causes of the damage and breakdown of pool tarps, as are exposure to the sun's damaging UV rays and heat. These fade, weaken, and make the tarp's material more brittle. You cannot keep the tarp completely out of the sun, but you can use lighter colors that reflect sun rays instead of absorbing them. If you plan to not use the tarp for long periods of time, try to keep it out of the sun. The tarp doesn't survive extreme temperatures. When it freezes, the material doesn't remain as flexible, and it will be unable to bend as the tarp will be at a higher risk of getting cracks. Using a tarp cover/pump to remove water, especially snow, over winter months will prevent too much weight and stress on the tarps suspended under the material. Another serious concern is the chemical exposure from pool chemicals. Splashing and evaporation can transfer chlorine and other pool chemicals onto the tarp. covering the tarp too soon will trap chemicals and heat under the tarp, and close off the pool to the unevenly dispersed and diluted chemicals, especially chlorine. Rinsing the tarp with a hose will remove residual chemicals. The chemicals are plated at points of tarp contact with the ground. These are areas of increased friction. As the tarp flaps in the wind.

Making sure your tarp is properly secured is especially important to minimize wind-related stress. When you understand these environmental threats and take the proper steps to minimize them, you can significantly slow the aging process of your pool tarp.

Fix Small Problems Before They Become Big Problems.

Minor repairs should be done as soon as possible to stop small repairs from turning into big problems. Each month, make a quick checklist to guide the visual inspection. Look at the entire cover to make sure the surface of the cover is intact. Pay attention to the seams and edges around the anchors and fasteners. Look for discolorations, tears, and areas of thinning material. If there are repairs to be done, if your covers are made of a specific vinyl, there are repair kits with waterproof patches. Make sure the surface is clean and dry.\ For large patches and tears, do-it-yourself patches are not a good option. Professional services have large industrial materials, and repair services are able to repair covers without the loss of protective materials. Consider your cover's hardware components too. Springs, anchors, and tracks should be checked for rust and broken parts. As parts move, make sure to use lubrication to help the material move as easily as possible.

Caring for these components will not only extend their lifespan but will also avoid putting extra stress on the tarp itself. Always remember, small repairs today save the investment of a replacement down the line.

What Are Your Tarp Materials?

Different swimming pool covers behave differently. Knowing what your covers are made from will help you take care of them according their specific needs. Tarp materials used for pool covers include polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) some with different durability and resistance characteristics. PE are lightweight and resistant to mold and chemicals so are are used heavily for budget pool covers. PVC are stronger on the average and provide greater strength and UV resistance, although they may be more difficult to clean. Quality pool covers have reinforced edges with double stitching for greater durability. The greater the microns, the more durable the cover, however, they will be less pliable. The tarp's composition will help you determine safe cleaning practices. For example, some materials may be degraded by certain solvents, and the use of abrasive cleaners may cause damage. If you are not sure what materials your tarp is made of, reference the documentation from the manufacturer, or their customer service. When obtaining materials for repairs, this is especially important to eliminate the guesswork. Good compatibility will result in good bonding and performance.

New formulations built for different types of durability and resistance continue to be created as material science evolves. When the time comes to replace your tarp and if you know the limitations of your current tarp you will be able to choose an even better product that matches your specific needs and the climate conditions of your area.