- Why do I need a safety cover?
SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!!! Safety Covers are a great solution to secure your pool through the winter. They protect it from snow and debris, animal intrusion, and keep "little" family members out of harm's way when in the pool area. AESTHETICS, AESTHETICS, AESTHETICS!!! Safety Covers also provide an attractive alternative to other cover types like water bag style covers and can be used to protect more expensive automatic covers during the winter. Depending on the environment in your backyard, we offer different types of covers based on what you need. If you have a lot of trees and pollen in your yard, our XLS Solid Cover might be perfect for you. If you are tired of spending lots of money on chemicals to turn around a green pool every spring, our SmartMesh cover is for you. Other than being the final step in winterizing your pool, a safety cover also allows for a worry-free winter. Typically installed and removed by a pool professional, a safety cover will keep your pool not only safe from the elements, but safe from unauthorized entry as well.
- Can you make a cover for any shape and size pool?
Yes. At Merlin, we offer many solutions to unique pool configurations such as step-riser kits or cable systems to close the gaps at negative walls. We offer different anchor types depending on your deck material, and design solutions for practically any complicated pool.
- My dealer said the cover brand they sell is “just like” a Merlin SmartMesh™ cover. Is that true?
No. Merlin Industries invented and holds a patent on the revolutionary SmartMesh™ material. It is the only cover in the industry to provide 100% shade, and still let water through, filtering debris down to 40 microns.
- I live at the beach. Should that affect which cover I buy?
You should discuss your options with your installer as your pool requirements may be as unique as your geography.
- What is the difference between SmartMesh™ and Dura-Mesh covers?
Dura-Mesh offers the industry’s highest abrasion resistance, tear strength, burst strength and sunlight shading of any other standard mesh cover. SmartMesh™ is in a league of its’ own. It is essentially a hybrid, offering the benefits of solid and mesh covers rolled into one. With SmartMesh™, you open a much cleaner pool like that of a solid cover (Since it provides 100% shade from sunlight which inhibits algae growth), but it is much lighter than a solid cover and still lets water through as with mesh, filtering debris down to 40 microns. As with all covers, SmartMesh™ covered pools need to be properly winterized and chemicals added.
- Why is the warranty less on the solid than mesh covers?
The effects of the sun on solid material is much differerent on solid safety cover material verses mesh safety cover material.
- How can I confirm I’ve received the CORRECT mesh cover upon delivery, since the SmartMesh™ is more expensive than Dura-Mesh?
There is a noticible difference between the look of Dura-mesh and SmartMesh™. Please refer to your dealer's material swatches if you feel there may be a mix-up.
- How much do each of these covers weigh?
Cover weights vary by material, pool size and hardware requirements. Most residential covers can be handled by two people.
- If I have a non-Merlin cover and want a replacement, could Merlin make the same cover matching the anchor points?
With proper measurements from a pool professional or better yet, by using the original cover as a template, yes, we can re-make almost any of our competitor’s covers using Merlin materials.
- Should I drain my pool when I am ready to put on my Merlin cover this winter?
NO. Never drain your pool in preparation for winter. If properly winterized, the water in the pool will be fine and it actually helps to support the cover in the case of a large snow load. Please discuss proper water levels with your installer. Your cover warranty specifically states that water levels lower than 18" from the top of the pool may void your warranty and can result in damage to the cover.
- I have rock surrounding my pool. Can that damage my cover?
In the case of rough coping around your pool (Be it rock, brick, etc.) we recommend an option called perimeter padding. This padding is attached with either clips or Velcro to the perimeter of the pool cover. This will provide extra protection from the edge of the pool. In some instances, it may be nessecary to pad the edge of the pool or certain areas of the pool like raised spas or water features with some type of padding that we do not provide. Just because a cover is ordered with perimeter padding, it does not mean that the cover is indestructible.
- Can you install a Merlin cover on an above-ground pool?
Above ground swimming pools are designed to support the outward pressure of the water in the pool. A safety cover can put pressure in the opposite direction which could lead to a collapse of the pool wall. Unless the deck around the pool is completely independant of the pool then a safety cover should not be installed
- How and where should I store my cover while it is not in use?
Storage of your cover should include a sealed container like a large storage tub or trash can or the storage location should be free of the threat of any rodents or insects. Rodents and insects can do substantial damage to the cover if they nest inside its folds.
- How can I fix a small rip or tear in my cover?
Your dealer sells patches to repair smaller rips in any of our covers. For larger damages, we recommend having your dealer send it in to our repair department for review.