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Pool Cover Installation Guide

Every pool cover comes with a detailed set of installation instructions. Our online directions are posted as an outline of the simple processes required to install an inground pool cover. Installation of an average size pool cover on a typical concrete deck should take between 2 & 4 hours with 2 people completing the work.

Hundreds of home owners install their own Ameri-Brand pool covers every year with professional results. Feel free to contact us if you should need additional information or assistance.

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Installing a Rectangular Cover

The old layout made steps feel dense and easy to miss. This step-card flow fixes that by making each action discrete and ordered in clear two-column rows.

Step 1

Measure the cover to determine exact overlap. 5 x 5 strap spacing has approx. 12" overlap (10-15"), while 3 x 3 strap spacing has approx. 18" overlap (15-22").

Step 2

Stretch the cover over the pool and use buckets of water to hold it in place. Adjust overlap on all sides. If the cover has cutouts, align them now.

Step 3

Set anchor points 18" from the edge of the cover (not the pool edge), aligned exactly with each strap. Review anchor installation instructions before drilling.

Installing initial pool cover anchors

Step 4

Install springs on straps where anchors are installed. Tighten straps until springs are compressed 50%.

Step 5 (Optional)

Snap a chalk line 18 inches from the cover edge on all four sides to keep anchor lines straight.

Step 6

With center straps secured, work toward the corners as shown.

Adding remaining pool cover anchors

Step 7

Inspect your installation. Confirm all springs are no more than 50% compressed and the cover is taut across the pool.

Installing a Freeform Cover

The same card flow works for curved pools and makes strap-order easier to follow in the field.

Step 1

Stretch the cover over the pool and use buckets of water to hold it in place. Adjust overlap on all sides and align cutouts now.

Step 2

Set anchors 18" from cover edge and in-line with each strap. Use anchor installation instructions before drilling.

Installing initial anchors around free-form pool

Step 3

Install springs on straps with newly installed anchors. Tighten until springs are compressed to 50%.

Step 4

With center straps secured, install the rest of the anchors as shown.

Adding anchors around free-form pool

Step 5

Inspect your installation. Make sure all springs are no more than 50% compressed and the cover is taut across the pool.

Anchor Installation

The old popup opened too small, which made the demo hard to use. This button now opens a larger, resizable popup so the video displays clearly.

Watch: How Our Anchors Work

Concrete Decks

  1. Using a rotary hammer drill with a 3/4 inch masonry bit, drill 2 inches into the deck.
  2. Put the brass casing into the hole and tamp it down lightly with the Tamper Tool until flush with the deck. Do not pound the anchor in with the anchor insert in place.
  3. Screw the brass insert into the casing leaving about 1/3 of the anchor insert above the deck to secure the spring.

Wood Decks

  1. Using a drill with a 1 1/2 inch self-boring bit, countersink a hole 1/8 inch deep into the wood deck.
  2. Directly in the center of that hole, drill a 3/4 inch diameter hole into the deck at least 2 inches deep.
  3. Insert the flange portion of the anchor into the deck and secure to deck with wood screws provided.
  4. Screw the insert into the flange leaving about 1/3 of the anchor above the deck to secure the spring.

Brick or Stone Decks

Decks made with brick or stone require a steel sleeve to support anchors. These may be made from 3/4" inside diameter conduit cut in 14"-18" pieces.

  1. Using a rotary hammer drill with 1 inch masonry bit, drill through brick or stone to soft ground (be careful not to crack brick or stone while drilling).
  2. Tap anchor into end of conduit.
  3. Using a block of wood and a hammer, drive the anchor sleeve into the ground flush with the deck.
  4. Screw the brass insert into the casing leaving about 1/3 of the anchor above the deck to secure the spring.

Lawn or Planters

This method can be used in lawn or planters only if 10% or less of the straps are anchored in this manner.

Raised Areas

When installing a cover with a raised area, this section of the cover must be installed first.

Waterfall cable workaround on tan pool cover

Walls, waterfalls, or elevated spas must be treated specially since there is no deck available to secure an anchor. Eyebolts will be needed to install a cover in these areas and are not supplied. Due to the many different possibilities, the specific eyebolt necessary must be determined on site.

Step 1

Locate the section of the cover showing no straps. You will find a d-ring with a carabineer under the edge of the cover.

Step 2

Stretch the cover over the pool making sure that it is positioned correctly in the raised wall area. Use buckets of water to hold the cover in place around the pool. Adjust for exact overlap on all sides with sufficient deck.

Step 3

Determine where the eyebolts will be drilled into the obstruction based on the carabineer locations. Install eyebolts as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 4

Snap the cover to the eyebolts and then proceed with the standard installation for the rest of the cover.

Spring Installation

Thread each strap and spring in this order to prevent slippage and ensure proper tension.

Buckle and spring threading diagram

Step 1

Pull end of strap through first opening in buckle.

Step 2

Continue down through middle opening.

Step 3

Place flat end of spring on strap.

Step 4

Pull strap back up through middle.

Step 5

Finally, pull strap down through remaining opening.

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