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Repairs to Solar Covers and Solar Reels

Have you ever found yourself struggling to maintain your water temperature? Or have you awoken to find your pool temperature dropped significantly overnight? I have the solution for you!

This blog focuses on the advantages of utilizing a solar cover and reel, how to buy replacement parts for the reel, and how to prolong the life of your cover.

Advantages of Solar Reels and Covers

The general rule is to keep the solar cover on when the pool is not in use. A solar cover will help retain the heat that is absorbed by the sun throughout the day and prevent heat loss during the evening. A solar cover will also reduce chemical use and water evaporation.

rockys-solar-reel

If you find yourself struggling to get the solar cover off, then it may be time to invest in a solar reel. A solar reel makes it easier to cover or uncover a pool quickly by one person. By using a solar reel, it will extend the life of a cover and prevents the tearing of the cover or UV damage.

Solar reels come in various widths and to fit in-ground or aboveground pools. To determine what solar reel you need, measure the width of your pool and order accordingly. If you have questions on what reel you need, our experts are standing by 24/7 to assist you.

Repairing Solar Blankets

peel-and-patch-solar-cover-repair-patches

Over time, your solar blanket will literally start to fall apart. I will discuss ways to extend the life of the cover. But for now, if you find a small hole in the cover, waterproof tape may be utilized as a patch.

Our Peel & Patch repair kit works very well. If you have remnants of an old solar cover, a small section may be used to fill in a larger hole. If the hole is too big for repair, it may be time to replace the cover.

Solar Cover Reel Parts and Troubleshooting

When opening the pool for the spring, check to see if the cover reel functions properly. Follow these basic steps to ensure the reel works properly:

  1. Is the reel hard to turn? If so, the ball bearings may need to be replaced.

  2. Are any parts missing or broken? Inspect both ends of the cover for missing screws, broken yokes, or blanket clips.

  3. Is the reel tube bowing in the center of the cover? This is due to a solar cover that is too heavy or long. We do not recommend using any solar cover greater than 12 mil with a residential solar reel.

  4. Does the cover roll up unevenly? If so, the reel attachment kit is not evenly placed in the center of the cover and needs to be reattached.

If you know the make and model of the reel, you can visit the Parts Finder on our website. We have solar cover reel parts for over a dozen different solar reels.

SOLAR-REEL-PARTS

If the make and model of solar reel is unknown, contact us at 1-800-288-7946 and our parts and technical department will be happy to assist you.

Prolonging the Life of a Solar Cover

The number one reason solar covers start to fall apart is due to chemical imbalance. Chlorine levels need to be kept between 1-3 parts per million and the pH between 7.2-7.6.  Low pH, high chlorine levels, and shocking the pool with the cover on can weaken the cover and cause the bubbles to deteriorate.

Believe it or not, the number two worst thing for a solar cover is the sun itself! When using the pool, the cover should be protected from UV rays.

solar-saddle

Solar reels are perfect for this. If you have an aboveground pool, our Solar Saddle attaches quickly and eliminates the cover from laying on the grass or getting dirty. It also makes it easier to take off and put your solar cover back on.

poly-tarp - UV shield for pool solar blankets

When the cover is rolled up, the Solar Tarp can be placed on the solar cover and acts as a protective shield from UV rays, wind, rain, and debris. The solar tarp simply fastens together with Velcro, easily comes off and rolls up very small and tightly when you have the solar cover on the pool.

solar-blanket-cover

When closing the pool for the winter, aboveground reels should be taken off and stored indoors. For in-ground reels, try a heavy-duty winter solar blanket cover, which protects the solar cover and reel tube from rain, debris, and sunshine during the winter, if you are unable to find storage room indoors for the blanket and reel.

Covering It All

  1. Solar blankets are great and solar reels make using them even better.

  2. Replace or repair? You can DIY repairs to solar covers and solar reels.

  3. Protect your solar cover from sun, chlorine and low pH for twice the life!



In The Swim makes every effort to provide accurate recommendations based upon current ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 (R2022) standards, but codes and regulations change, and In The Swim assumes no liability for any omissions or errors in this article or the outcome of any project. You must always exercise reasonable caution, carefully read the label on all products, follow all product directions, follow any current codes and regulations that may apply, and consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. In The Swim assumes no legal responsibility for your reliance or interpretation of the data contained herein, and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the quality, safety, or suitability of the information, whether express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.