Automatic Cover Fabrics Don't Last – Replacement Myths Dispelled

Via Phone call: 'How long will an auto cover last?' Asked a customer this week. 'I have read that they can fail in a few years. Is that true?'

This is very valid question, and one we hear regularly. In the last few years several articles have been published about why you shouldn't have an inground pool auto cover because they break and are expensive to fix. In terms of durability that has not been my experience on a properly installed pool cover. They are known to last decades. I HAVE seen covers that fail quickly, but it is the result of a cheap cover system, improper installation, or inadvertent abuse.

We install A LOT of auto covers on our inground pools. Over the years we have also done quite a bit of service on behalf of the factories (Warranty) as well as general tune ups for other swimming pool companies that don't have cover techs on their team. During that time we have seen some poorly installed systems. Most often they are installed "out of square" with the pool causing high tension on the ropes and a TON of resistance on the motor and linkage. That will destroy a cover in a couple to a few years or less. The other problem we see regularly is the cover being opened (or attempted) with several inches of water. One inch of water on a 16 x 40 pool is 485 gallons of water. At 8.3 pounds per gallon that's 4,025 pounds. Pool covers are not designed to move that kind of weight. I promise it will break or at the least cause some longer term damage. A cover pump is included in your autocover installation and must be used all the time and your cover will last for years and years.

Replacing fabric and its lifespan is another source of debate. Under normal to even abusive conditions the cover will last 5-7 years without any problem. Some fabrics carry a prorated warranty for 84 months. That's 7 years!! A properly cared for cover has a life span of 10 years. The most common reason cover fabric fails is from poor chemistry. More specifically, too high of chlorine levels. It damages the underside of the cover and weakens the fabric and webbing considerably. Undetectable from the top side of the cover, the cover will suddenly tear and the client has it replaced never even knowing it was chlorine burn. Often we will see the bottom of the pool cover completely white and the mesh in the material is exposed. In some cases literally HALF of the covers vinyl is gone and the remainder is significantly weakened. I don't think that is really the covers fault?

On some installer websites I have seen the cost of a replacement cover in the $5,000 – $7,000 range. That is also inflated and not true. The fabric is going to run about $2,500-$3,500 installed. The fabric retails around $2300 and labor is about a day for two men ranging from $500 to $1000. That's a long way from $5,000 – $7,000 every 8-10 years. On the flip side that 7-10 year window is about the life expediency of a normal winter cover replacement at about $2000-$2,500. That makes the additional cost for the auto cover replacement about $800-$1,500 each every 10 or so years MORE than the winter cover. You could have easily saved that amount in a year of ownership when factoring chemicals, heat, cleaning, water, and headaches with a winter cover.

Why would a pool builder try to talk you out of an auto cover? There are a few reasons. They CAN be difficult to install. Particularly if the pool company doesn't install a lot of them and is forced to use a subcontractor or Cover Care.

We are a large enough team that we have designated cover techs. Most companies do not. This makes the installation of a cover a major challenge in terms of the skill set and know how. It's that infrequency that has likely led to SO MANY covers not being installed correctly.

Another reason a pool builder may try to talk you out of an auto cover is that it slows the installation process tremendously AND means that the installers have to leave and come back to the site after the cover has been roughed in. When the deck has been poured the cover crew has to come back and do the finish and fabric installation, again causing more steps and slow downs.

Today an automatic safety cover will cost anywhere between $17,000 and $23,000. If a dealer / pool installer can talk you away from an autocover, maybe you will buy more concrete, a larger pool, pavers, or landscaping from them. That makes for a better margin and an easier sale, and a simpler faster install for them. THAT is why many pool builders will talk you out of an auto cover.

Why do we install them? Because families want them and for good reason. They make the pool safe AND easy to own. Our company's success is a result of providing our clients a COMPLETE installation. Covers ARE VERY nice and drastically reduce cleaning and other swimming pool maintenance. There is a reason that most inground pools out West have them. They're worth it. It is unfortunate that the truth is so hard for the average consumer to find.

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