FAQs

GENERAL FAQS

At this time, we are serving the Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas (and some other Arizona cities).

YES! We provide free on-site estimates to Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas.

Unlatch every anchor and flip/fold the edge of the cover with the anchors onto the pool cover. If you have an irregular shape pool, when you fold the edge of the cover it is easiest to create a rectangular shape. Once the material is in a rectangular shape it is then easiest to accordion fold the fabric on the side of the pool.  Heavy-duty rollers are also available for purchase.

We custom make each one of our covers to fit it’s pool perfectly, making each pool cover and it’s cost unique. We know that’s not the answer you were looking for so we’ll do our best to give you a range for both our PowerLock and HeatSaver.

The PowerLock is a Safety pool cover (amongst other things) and we have to account for the size, shape, features, pool deck, boulders, steps, etc. of your pool to make sure your pool area is safe and secure from any accidents. An averaged backyard pool can cost anywhere from $3,500 ($50/mo.) to $7,500 ($80/mo.) to install the PowerLock and with your monthly savings in maintenance, water, and electricity the PowerLock will pay for itself within 2-3 years, while giving you the peace of mind that no loved one (including fur babies) can accidentally fall into your pool. 

The HeatSaver is a must have if you heat your pool because it retains 90% of the heat within your pool water saving you hundreds if not thousands on heating costs every year. The HeatSaver on an average pool can range anywhere from $3,000 ($37/mo.) to $6,000 ($63/mo.) depending on the size, shape, and sections needed for ease of use.  

Multiple financing options are available so you can see the savings every month!

FABRIC FAQS

The cover weighs 9 pounds per 100 square feet of fabric.  Most residential pools are between 400-900 square feet which means the cover weighs anywhere between 40-90 pounds.  However, our cover is designed to float across the surface of the pool which greatly reduces the weight.  For ease of use we also provide straps, clips, grommets, or an optional heavy-duty roller.

The PowerLock Solar Safety Cover has an 8-year prorated warranty on our vinyl material.

The PowerLock is a durable, flexible vinyl material with a polyester mesh core that is designed to float on the surface of the pool water.

Unlatch every anchor and flip/fold the edge of the cover with the anchors onto the pool cover. If you have an irregular shape pool, when you fold the edge of the cover it is easiest to create a rectangular shape. Once the material is in a rectangular shape it is then easiest to accordian fold the fabric on the side of the pool.  Heavy duty rollers are also available for purchase.

Please click here for additional instructions.

PowerLock Solar Safety Cover 

3 Primary Colors: 

Pool Blue, Desert Tan, and Charcoal Gray.

Premium Colors

Solar Green, Royal Blue, Navy Blue

plus many more are available for an additional charge.

HeatSaver Thermal Cover

2 Color Options:

Blue Webbing or Black webbing

WHAT DO I DO WHEN A MONSOON IS COMING?

Secure every one of the PowerLock anchors on your pool cover.  Connect the cover pump that was provided upon installation to a hose and place the pump on the pool cover.  The pump will relocate the water to the designated location at the end of the hose. Plug in the pump when the storm begins or wait until after it passes.

Always pump off the standing water from the top of the pool cover first.

If there was a severe monsoon which left dirt/debris:

Pump off all water.

Remove the larger debris (i.e. branches or other objects) by hand and remove the smaller debris using a leaf blower, a mop, and/or a pool brush.  Also, you may mop the debris to one side and “flip” it off of the cover.  The debris is easiest removed when it’s dry and blown off with a leaf blower.

Optional: After the cover is cleaned of dirt/debris, rinse your cover with water and your cover pump.

Well hopefully you put your PowerLock Solar Safety Cover on your pool! 

Before you leave for a trip, secure your PowerLock on your pool and follow the instructions for short/long-term hibernation. The key aspect for monsoon proofing your pool while hibernating it is ensure the water is level.  If you have an auto-leveler for your pools water than there is nothing to worry about.  However, if you have to manually add water to your pool, check to make sure there is enough water in your pool before you leave.  An easy way to see if the pool has enough water is if there are wrinkles in the fabric of the cover. If there is an insufficient amount of water in the pool before a severe rainstorm the cover can be subjected to a severe stress and may even rip. 

If the pools water is level and there is a severe monsoon storm when you are out of town, don’t worry. The weight of the water from the storm will be supported by a cover on a pool that has adequate water.   In Arizona, leftover storm water generally evaporates within a day or two. However, if there is still standing water on your cover when you arrive home, clean the cover as instructed in “How to clean my pool after a monsoon”.

No, algae grows from sunlight, not warm water, and our solid vinyl material prevents UV rays from penetrating the water. The PowerLock Solar Safety Cover prevents the sun from feeding algae and destroying pool chemicals. Algae will not grow as long as the cover is installed and all the chemicals were properly balanced before the pool was hibernated.

HOW DO I MONSOON PROOF MY POOL?

Secure every one of the PowerLock anchors on your pool cover.  Connect the cover pump that was provided upon installation to a hose and place the pump on the cover.

HEAT RETENTION FAQS

Most pools only lose 1 degree of heat with the HeatSaver, however, the average range is 1-3 degrees.

Yes, an added benefit of the PowerLock Solar Safety cover is that it acts as a blanket that seals in some heat.  However, the HeatSaver Thermal Cover is far superior when it comes to heat retention.

HIBERNATION FAQS

No. Algae grows from sunlight in pools with an imbalance in the water’s chemistry. The PowerLocks’ solid vinyl material blocks UV rays protecting the waters chemistry, therefore, both the proper environment and the food are not present for the algae to grow. Algae is not a concern for pools that have been hibernated properly where the water and the chemicals were balanced before the pool was shut down.

 

Note: Warm water does not cause algae.

Yes, and having water in your pool is the easiest and the most beneficial option.

The water protects the interior of the pool and provides structural support to maintain the pools integrity.  If you never want to worry about the upkeep of the pool while simultaneously maintaining its overall health, install the PowerLock Solar Safety Cover.  The PowerLock gives our clients the ability to long-term hibernate their pool. You won’t have to worry about taking care of the water for years at a time and the steps to properly hibernate your pool are simple.  All you have to do is level the water, balance all pool chemicals, secure your PowerLock Solar Safety Cover, and shut off your pool pump completely. When hibernating, there is no need to add chemicals or circulate the water for years at a time.  Furthermore, most pools have an auto-leveler installed but if it’s a manual pool the water will need a top off 2-3 times a year.

Therefore, choosing to have water in your pool the best choice is installing a PowerLock Solar Safety Cover because it:

Saves the pools interior,

Protects the pools integrity,

Saves money in maintenance and future repairs,

Increases the value of the home,

And nearly eliminates maintenance.

There are several reasons why hibernating is a better choice than filling in your pool. Firstly, filling in your pool is a costly process and requires you to disclose there is a buried pool in the backyard.  Choosing to bury your pool decreases your property value while choosing to install a Solar Safe Pool Cover increase the value of your property. Plus hibernating your pool is quick and simple!

Yes. When performing a short-term hibernation (days – weeks), you may choose to run your pool pump for an hour a day or for a few hours once a week if you are planning to swim the day you get home.  But if you are performing a long-term hibernation, there is no need to run your pool pump until you’re ready to swim again. Pools coming out of long-term hibernation should be filtered for 24-48 hours before swimming.

INSTALLATION FAQS

Depending on the time of year, our installation schedule is normally booked 3-4 weeks out, therefore, if you would like your install done quickly make sure you don’t hesitate to call in and secure your spot.

Most pool covers are completed in 1 day, however, commercial installations and large/complex installations may take longer.  Your estimator will provide you with the approximate time it will take to complete your installation.

One of our highly trained estimators will provide free on-site consultation to help you design your Solar Safe Pool Cover. Before the installation, our warehouse technicians cut and heat seal the material according to the dimensions in the design plan.  On the day of the installation, the pre-prepared custom material will be masterfully sewn on-site to fit your pool.

ON/OFF FAQS

Depending on the size, shape, and complexity of your pool, the normal residential pool cover can be taken off and put on in about 5 minutes to 15 minutes.

Yes, but this also greatly depends on your personal mobility. It is easiest to remove the cover with two people but most are capable of removing the cover alone. Heavy-duty rollers available for purchase to provide additional ease of use.

MAINTENANCE FAQS

Solar Safe Pool Covers recommends that you clean and conditioning your cover every 6 months.  The vinyl cleaner and conditioner can be purchased through SSPC or online.  You are able to perform the cleaning and conditioning yourself or we do have services available to do it for you.

SAFETY FAQS

The American Society of Testing Measures (ASTM F1346-91) classifies a cover as a safety barrier as  when it meets the 485-pound regulation, which our PowerLock Solar Safety Cover greatly exceeds.

Our PowerLock anchoring system combined with the strength and flexibility of our vinyl material easily gives the PowerLock the ability to support the weight of an entire family!

The reason it’s a safety cover is because it’s secured with our PowerLock Anchoring System.  Brass anchors are drilled flush into the decking of the pool roughly 30 inches apart. The female portion of the anchor stays secured flush in the decking, preventing tripping hazards, and the male portion is secured on the cover.

The anchors combined with the strength and flexibility of the vinyl material gives our cover the ability to support the weight of an entire family, greatly exceeding the ASTM standards of a safety cover.

Fencing is one of the oldest safety options on the market but it is also one of the most inefficient pool barriers. The pool area is gated off with a barricade which changes the aesthetic look, the feel, and the functionality of the backyard. Furthermore, as soon as the fence is bypassed there is no further barrier preventing access to the pools water.  This leaves parents to hope their children or pets won’t find a way over, under, or through the fence.  Furthermore, in the eyes of a child, a fence can be an enticing toy to climb on which almost negates the purpose of having a fence installed in the first place.

Heartbreakingly, 20% of the drowning cases that occur each year happen in pools that have a fence installed.  Would you trust your loved ones’ life to a product that is effective only 80% of the time when there’s a better option?

When a PowerLock Solar Safety Cover is used properly it is impossible for the child or pet to have access to the pool water.  In addition, the PowerLock offers several benefits which are designed to save you time, energy, and money.

The PowerLock Solar Safety Cover:

  • Protects adults, children, pets, and critters by creating an unsurpassable barrier,
  • Prevents dirt, debris, and UV rays from disrupting the pool’s chemistry,
  • Promotes water conservation by saving over 90% of evaporation,
  • Adds 10-15 degrees of temperature through the passive solar collection, extending the swim season,
  • Allows for the complete “shut down” of the pool for weeks, months, or indefinitely!
  • Prolongs the life of the chemicals, saving over 80%,
  • Pays for itself with the savings you will receive

Pool Net

The primary incentive for installing a pool net is for child and pet safety. Pool netting is an effective barrier to prevent children up to a certain age and weight from touching the pool water if they fall near the edge of the pool. However, children above 5 years of age or above a certain weight are not guaranteed to be kept out of the water, even near the pool’s edge. Furthermore, pool nets are installed under tension and it can be challenging to latch the net on/off.

In addition, dirt, debris, sunlight, and critters are still able to access the water which disrupts the pool’s chemistry.  The water, also, is easily evaporated by the wind/sun, the pool cannot be shut down, and the net will never pay for itself.

Versus

The PowerLock Solar Safety Cover

  • Protects adults, children, pets, and critters by creating an unsurpassable barrier,
  • Prevents dirt, debris, and UV rays from disrupting the pool’s chemistry,
  • Promotes water conservation by saving over 90% of evaporation,
  • Adds 10-15 degrees of temperature through the passive solar collection, extending the swim season,
  • Allows for the complete “shut down” of the pool for weeks, months, or indefinitely!
  • Prolongs the life of the chemicals, saving over 80%,
  • Pays for itself with the savings you will receive

Furthermore, many of our clients forgo their pool service company which saves them additional hundreds to thousands of dollars per year!

There are two primary incentives for installing a mesh cover which are to prevent leaves from entering the water and for safety concerns. There are various “strengths” of mesh nets with the strongest nets preventing most children from touching the surface of the water.  It also keeps out larger organic material from the pool, however, it still allows dirt, small debris, and dirty water to enter the pool.  In many cases, a mesh cover will be combined with a pool net to act as a safety cover.

Furthermore, the Sun’s UV rays are able to penetrate through the cover which burns off chemicals, increases water evaporation, and encourages algae to grow. Pools with mesh covers still need regular cleanings which will require the removal of the cover every time the pool is cleaned.

Versus

The PowerLock Solar Safety Cover

  • Protects adults, children, pets, and critters by creating an unsurpassable barrier,
  • Prevents dirt, debris, and UV rays from disrupting the pool’s chemistry,
  • Promotes water conservation by saving over 90% of evaporation,
  • Adds 10-15 degrees of temperature through the passive solar collection, extending the swim season,
  • Allows for the complete “shut down” of the pool for weeks, months, or indefinitely!
  • Prolongs the life of the chemicals, saving over 80%,
  • Pays for itself with the savings you will receive

Furthermore, many of our clients forgo their pool service company which saves them additional hundreds to thousands of dollars per year!

Even if a client chooses to install both a mesh cover and a pool net, the combination of the two still do not provide the amount of benefits of our PowerLock Solar Safety Cover.

It is possible to drown in as little as an inch of water! Standing water poses a risk and any water on the pool cover should be considered a safety hazard that needs to be addressed.  Adult supervision is highly recommended until the water is completely removed from the cover.  Provided with the purchase of every PowerLock Solar Safety Cover is a cover pump.  Follow the instructions here (link to how to clean cover after a storm) to learn how to remove the water from your cover.

When the pool is filled to the appropriate level and the cover is properly secured, the PowerLock Solar Safety Cover is strong enough to support the weight of an entire family.  Though we strongly believe in the integrity of our product, our pool cover is not to be stood on, used as a waterbed, or a play toy.