Finding the Best Pool Cover Rope for Durability and Safety

Finding the Right Pool Cover Rope

Installing a pool cover is an excellent way to protect your pool when not in use. Pool covers prevent debris from getting into the water, reduce evaporation, and can even help heat your pool. But you need the right pool cover rope to securely fasten the cover in place.

What to Look for in Pool Cover Rope

When selecting a pool cover rope, you'll want to consider a few key factors:

• Strength - The rope needs to be durable enough to handle weather elements and anything that may fall on the cover without breaking.
• UV resistance - Pool cover ropes are exposed to sunlight daily, so UV-resistant material is a must.
• Stain resistance - Choose a rope that won't bleed dye into your pool water from rain or moisture.
• Elasticity - A rope with some stretch will have more give when dealing with weight on the cover.
• Weight rating - Match the rope's weight tolerance to the total weight of your covered pool.

Popular Pool Cover Rope Options

Three of the top options for pool cover ropes include:

Polypro Webbing Strap

Polypropylene webbing is strong, weather-resistant, and has some elasticity to it. It's also inexpensive compared to other pool cover rope choices. But polypro webbing can degrade from UV exposure over time.

Nylon Rope

Nylon rope has excellent strength and stretch. It resists UV rays, chemicals, water, and mildew quite well. But nylon rope tends to be thicker and needs monitored tensioning. It can also develop "memory" if stored coiled for too long between uses.

Elastic Bungee Cord

Bungee cords as pool cover ropes provide the most give against wind, debris, and snow accumulation on the cover. They easily accommodate cover weight changes. However, bungees are not as durable long-term and can break down in UV light.

Getting Proper Pool Cover Tension

Once you select the right rope for your pool cover based on material and strength, proper installation is key. The cover should have some sag in the middle to allow for drainage without overly stressing the ropes. But too much slack can lead to tears and allow contaminants into the water.

Attaching ropes at regular intervals around the pool ensures even weight distribution. Most pool professionals recommend placing anchor points every 4 feet around the perimeter. This may require 8-10 ropes on average residential pools.

Rope Tightening Options

To achieve ideal rope tension, you have two main options:

Ratchet System

Pool cover ratchet kits allow easy seasonal tightening of the ropes. Simply secure one end of the rope, then insert the other through the ratcheting mechanism and tighten as needed. Ratchet systems make it easy to re-tighten ropes even with the cover in place.

Turnbuckles

Turnbuckles offer another method for adjustable tensioning of pool cover ropes. They connect to the rope ends and use threading to apply or relieve tension as required. Turnbuckles can handle heavier weight ratings than ratchets. But they do require access to both rope ends to make adjustments.

Maintaining Pool Cover Ropes

To maximize pool cover rope lifespan, inspect them regularly for wear or damage. Look for fraying, discoloration, and thin spots indicating deterioration. Replace individual ropes as needed each season or year. It's also critical to wash salt, chlorine, and other pool chemicals off your cover and ropes before extended storage.

Proper cleaning and tensioning gives pool cover ropes the best chance of enduring years of reliable service. Just be sure to select durable UV and chemical-resistant ropes designed specifically for pool use from the start.

FAQs

What is the strongest material for a pool cover rope?

Nylon rope is one of the strongest materials used for pool cover ropes. It resists damage from sunlight, chemicals, moisture, and debris very well over years of use.

How often should pool cover ropes be replaced?

Most pool professionals recommend replacing your pool cover ropes every 2-3 years. This ensures the ropes maintain safe levels of strength and elasticity for proper cover function.

Can bungee cords be used on pool covers?

Yes, bungee cords are a popular option for pool covers. They provide plenty of give against wind and weight changes on the cover. Just be aware that bungees degrade faster than other ropes and require more frequent replacement.

Should pool cover ropes ever be tight?

No. Pool cover ropes should have some slack, even when properly tensioned. A taut cover prevents rain runoff drainage into the pool and transfers too much strain onto the rope anchors and cover seams.