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Automatic Pool Covers

Automatic Pool Covers: Installation and Repair

Automatic pool covers open and close your pool at the turn of a key or the press of a switch. Pinnacle Pool Service installs and repairs automatic pool covers for in-ground pools, including covers added to pools that are already in the ground. If you are thinking about a cover, or yours has stopped working the way it should, give us a call.

What an Automatic Pool Cover Is

An automatic pool cover is a fabric cover that runs on a motor. You may also hear it called a motorized cover, an electric cover, a retractable cover or an auto cover. Those names all describe one kind of product.

The cover rolls onto a drum at one end of the pool. The edges of the fabric ride in tracks along the sides. When you turn the key or press the switch, the motor pulls the cover across the water or rolls it back up.

The drum and motor usually sit in a housing at the end of the pool. On some pools that housing is built into the deck under a lid. On others it sits on top of the deck.

Why Homeowners Choose an Automatic Cover

Safety. A closed automatic cover puts a barrier between the water and anyone near the pool. Some automatic covers are rated as safety covers and some are not, depending on the model. Ask us about the rating of any cover you are considering.
Less heat and water loss. An open pool loses water to evaporation and loses heat overnight. A cover slows both. If you run a heater or a heat pump, a cover helps you keep the warmth you paid for.
A cleaner pool. Leaves and pollen land on the cover and stay out of the water, so you skim less and your filter works less.
Easy to use. A manual cover takes time to put on and take off. An automatic cover opens and closes at the turn of a key.

Installation on Existing Pools

Adding an automatic cover to a pool that is already in the ground is called a retrofit, and Pinnacle does this work on existing in-ground pools.

A few things decide whether a cover will fit. The shape of the pool matters. So does the space at the end where the drum and motor will go, and the condition of the coping and deck along the sides.

The easiest way to start is to text us a few photos of your pool. We can usually quote a cover from photos, and that is how we prefer to begin. You get a written quote by text or email that lists the work and its cost, along with a schedule. Most projects start within three to four weeks of signing, depending on the project. A cover install over $6,000 also qualifies for financing through Lyon Financial.

Automatic Pool Cover Repair

Automatic covers have motors, ropes and fabric that wear. When something goes wrong, the cover may stall halfway, run crooked, or not move at all. We can help get yours working again.

Common problems include:

A motor that hums but will not turn the drum
A switch that does nothing
Fabric that is torn, worn or pulling out of the track
Ropes that are worn, tangled or broken
A cover that binds or runs out of line in the track
Standing water on a closed cover that won’t drain

When a cover is not working, we charge a service call to come out and find the cause. Tell us the make of your cover when you reach out.

To keep a cover running, we offer maintenance plans. We recommend a clutch adjustment and a 14-point inspection each year. We also clean covers and can apply a UV treatment that lasts three years and keeps the cover color from fading.

If the problem is with your pump, heater or water rather than the cover, our maintenance and repair team takes care of that side of the pool.

Technicians fitting a green mesh safety cover on an in-ground pool

Automatic Covers and Manual Safety Covers

A manual safety cover is a mesh or solid cover that is stretched over the pool and anchored to the deck with straps. Most homeowners put one on when they close the pool for the season and take it off when they open. It stays on for months at a time.

An automatic cover is built for everyday use. It opens and closes as often as you swim. Some owners who use their pool through the cooler months prefer that.

The right choice depends on how you use your pool and on your budget. We are glad to talk through both with you.

Pinnacle is an authorized service and warranty provider for brands including Latham and LoopLoc. Our warranty work covers safety covers, among other components. Our Latham and LoopLoc warranty work does not include automatic covers. See our warranties page for the full list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We add automatic covers to existing in-ground pools. Fit depends on the shape of the pool and the room at the end for the drum and motor.

Some automatic covers are rated as safety covers and some are not. It depends on the model, so ask us about the rating on any cover before you buy.

The cost depends on the size and shape of your pool and the type of housing. We can usually quote a cover from photos of your pool, which you can text to us. Installs over $6,000 qualify for financing through Lyon Financial.

Yes. Call the Triad at (336) 383-1500 or the Triangle at (984) 500-0454.

A cover can stop because of a motor problem or a failed key switch. Rope and track trouble can stop it too. Call us and describe what the cover is doing. We charge a service call to come out and find the cause.

Get a Quote for Your Automatic Pool Cover

Pinnacle is a family-owned, local pool company. Our technicians are full-time, and we work on in-ground pools only. Tell us about your pool and whether you need a new cover or a repair.

Call the Triad at (336) 383-1500 or the Triangle at (984) 500-0454, or send us a message.

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