{"id":52936,"date":"2022-04-04T09:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T07:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lion-test-sites.co.za\/mica-new\/?p=52936"},"modified":"2022-06-02T11:37:54","modified_gmt":"2022-06-02T09:37:54","slug":"your-own-pool-leaf-cover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lion-test-sites.co.za\/mica-new\/your-own-pool-leaf-cover\/","title":{"rendered":"Yes you CAN make your own pool leaf cover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Most pool covers do allow the odd leaf or three to land in the pool, but they certainly cut down greatly on the masses that otherwise would have gone in thanks to high winds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a 3×5.5m pool, you are looking at anything from R4500 to R5750 or so for a leaf cover, depending on the manufacturer. The one featured here came in at around R2800 or so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before we describe how it was made, a word of caution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAUTION:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot stress this enough\u2026This COVER IS NOT A SAFETY COVER<\/u>. It could perhaps be used in conjunction with a purpose-made, factory-made safety net properly rated to take the weight of a small child or large pet, but on its own, THIS COVER MUST NEVER BE REGARDED AS A SAFETY COVER<\/u>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having got that out of the way, here\u2019s how it was made\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step is, of course, to confirm the pool\u2019s size in this case it is 5.5m x 3m so the 3m-wide shade cloth chosen as the cover just barely covers the pool side to side (the coping slabs bring each side in by about 20mm or so) but it does keep the bulk of the leaves and debris and small creatures out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When deciding on the length of shade cloth to buy, rather go over by a good metre so that you have sufficient on each end for a secure fixing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cover has made use of the attachment plates installed for an original leaf cover, and also the attachment dome-head bolts used for a solid cover for use during drought as a water-conservation measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your pool is larger than the one featured here and\/or there are no attachment points, you will need to adapt the design and perhaps even the direction of the shade cloth for example joining two lengths edge-to-edge and positioning them across the pool\u2019s width, for instance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main point being made here is how shade cloth can be secured very effectively when sandwiched between two flat strips of aluminium, secured tightly together with blind rivets, bolts and fender washers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right, let\u2019s get to it\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Materials*:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n