| Safety covers have become more popular every | | | | immovable objects, ladders, rock formations, |
| year because they provide unmatched protection, | | | | slides etc., should get a chalk mark as well. These |
| security and bang for the buck. If your pool is | | | | obstructions should be assigned numbers after all |
| anything other than a rectangle you're stuck with | | | | numbered marks are assigned on the pool |
| using an outside contractor to measure your pool | | | | perimeter itself. This also applies to any |
| for a proper fitting safety cover. This article will | | | | permanent obstruction within 18 inches of the |
| show how to do this job, save money and | | | | pool. |
| increase the options for purchasing a high quality | | | | 3) When finished marking the pool you will need |
| safety cover for your pool. | | | | an assistant. One person will hold the tape |
| To do the job you will need chalk, paper and | | | | measure at point A while the other measures the |
| pencil or pen and measuring tape long enough to | | | | distance between each point around the pool |
| stretch the longest dimension of your pool. | | | | from point A. The distance to each point should |
| 1) Begin by sketching a diagram of your pool and | | | | be recorded next to the numbered mark in a |
| fill in length and width from measurements taken | | | | column headed "A measurements". Measure and |
| at this time. Next, take a piece of chalk and mark | | | | record the obstruction points last. Repeat the |
| two points A and B on the side of the pool 3 to | | | | procedure from point B. When complete each |
| four feet away from the edge and roughly in the | | | | numbered mark will have a corresponding |
| middle of the longest side of the pool. Don't let an | | | | measured distance from both point A and point B. |
| imaginary line between the two points cross the | | | | 4) To finish, select three or four diagonal |
| pool at any point. Mark the two points on your | | | | measurements across the pool's length and width |
| sketch and measure the distance between the | | | | and record these measurements while marking |
| two points and include that on the sketch as well. | | | | the placement and distance on your initial sketch. |
| 2) Find the center point of your AB line and make | | | | It's done! With the measurements and sketch you |
| a mark, numbered one, on the inside edge of the | | | | can shop anywhere for a custom safety cover |
| pool at that point. Continuing around the pool, | | | | and be assured that it will be made accurately. To |
| make a chalk mark every three feet (doesn't | | | | make matters even simpler, many on-line pool |
| have to be exact) around the perimeter of the | | | | sites offer a downloadable measuring form. Just |
| pool numbering them consecutively. Any | | | | print it out and fill it in and your ready to shop. |