đź“Ź Why Are There Creases in My New Automatic Pool Cover?
If you’ve recently had a new automatic pool cover fabric installed and noticed creases in the material — you’re not alone. These folds are a common and unavoidable part of the installation process. Here's why they occur and what you should know.
🤔 Understanding the Creases
1. A Flat Tube Meets a Curved Pool
Automatic pool covers are designed to fit the three-dimensional surface of your pool, but the roll-up tube they retract onto is a two-dimensional cylinder. The roll-up tube is narrower than the pool width, requiring the cover fabric to include an extra 12–14 inches of material to extend from the track down to the water’s surface.
2. Folding the Excess Material
Since the roll-up tube is smaller than the pool’s full width, that extra material must fold when retracted. This folding causes the visible creases.
đź“Ź Example:
A pool that is 20 feet wide may have a roll-up tube that is 19'3" wide, but the cover itself needs to be 21 to 21'2" wide to fully span the pool and hang into the tracks correctly. That difference results in intentional folding as the cover rolls up.
3. Theoretical Solutions (That Don’t Exist... Yet)
To prevent these creases entirely, a cover would need to:
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Instantly expand from a narrow roll-up tube to the pool's full width, or
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Use an engineered convex roll-up tube that expands toward the center as it rolls
🚫 Unfortunately, no such solution has been manufactured yet — but the pool cover industry continues to evolve.
🏠Manufacturer Guidelines
Cover manufacturers acknowledge and expect creases in all new installations. The goal is to have any folds occur toward the center of the pool, rather than near the tracks or cover edges. This is considered standard and acceptable across the industry.
âś… Final Thoughts
Creases in a new automatic pool cover are normal and do not affect safety or performance. Over time, many of these folds may relax or soften with heat and use. Understanding the reason behind these creases helps set realistic expectations — and ensures you continue to enjoy the protection and convenience of your automatic pool cover.
Need assistance? Don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re here to help!
