Residential Dome Removal Instructions

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Proper dome storage is essential, both in terms of the life of the dome, and its appearance when re-installed. Please take the time to review these instructions prior to removing and storing your dome. Individual situations may vary, but adhering to the following as closely as possible will enable you to store your dome properly. Also see Dome Care and Maintenance for care instructions during normal use.

Cleaning the Dome

  1. Pick a warm, dry day. You need the sun and the heat to help you get the dome dry.
  2. Hose the dome down, inside and out. Also, flush the deck down inside and out so that your work area is as clean as possible.
  3. Spray the dome on the outside with a solution of chlorine and water (no more than 20% chlorine). We recommend using a "Gilmore" Type of Sprayer, which attaches directly to your garden hose for this part of the job. Use full strength chlorine in the canister and set the sprayer to its maximum delivery setting. The chlorine solution will dissolve oxidation on the outer skin of the material thereby keeping the material soft and supple.
  4. Repeat step #3 inside the dome around the water tube or air seal flap only. This will start killing algae, which may have formed on the tube. LEAVE THE ZIPPER HALF OPEN WHILE SPRAYING INSIDE. This will afford ventilation, Exit the dome immediately after spraying.
  5. Rinse the sprayer immediately and thoroughly to prevent rust.
  6. Spray the zipper thoroughly with the plain water to dilute the chlorine from rotting the material which surrounds the teeth of the zipper.
  7. Allow the dome to air dry completely on the outside.
  8. Remove all doweling and eyebolts.
  9. Unplug the blower, open the zipper and deflate the dome. By standing at the zipper and holding it open, you will deflate the dome more rapidly. You should simultaneously pull material to you, and "gather" that material up as the dome deflates. The object is to not allow the exterior of the dome walls to come down on wet cement. You want to keep the exterior of the dome dry.
  10. Close the zipper and lay it on the deck so water won't bleed through.

YOU SHOULD NOW HAVE THE DOME CLEAN INSIDE AN OUT AND
LAYING FLAT ON THE WATER, DRY ON TOP, WET ON THE UNDERSIDE.

Additional Steps for Water Tube Anchors

STEPS 11-18 ARE NOT NECESSARY ON A CABLE ANCHOR DOME. HOWEVER, THE AIR SEAL FLAP SHOULD BE CLEANED AS DESCRIBED IN STEPS 16, 17, & 18. THIS WILL KEEP ANY DIRT OR ALGAE ON THE AIR SEAL FLAP FROM TRANSFERRING TO OTHER SURFACES OF THE DOME THAT IT MIGHT COME IN CONTACT WITH DURING STORAGE. THEN MOVE ONTO STEP 19.

  1. Position the water tube valves so that they point AWAY from the dome. Object; When you drain the tubes, the water should flow onto the deck, not back on top of the dome.
  2. Remove the tube caps and start draining the tubes.
  3. Once the tubes are drained as far as they will naturally, replace the cap at one end of each section of tube, and, starting from the capped end, lift the tube and "walk" the remaining water to the open valve at the opposite end. Again, be careful to control the flow of water away from the dome. Repeat this step until all tubes are void of water.
  4. Arrange all water tube sections so that they are as flat as possible on the deck, valves facing upward.
  5. If available, use a wet-dry shop vacuum and suck the air out of each tube section. Suck the air from the valve at the uncapped end of each tube and leave the cap on the valve at the opposite end. This will draw the tube down flat and eliminate trapped air when folding. Once the air is removed, make sure both ends of the tubes are capped solidly. If a wet-dry vacuum is not available, use a push broom and, starting from the capped end, "sweep" the air toward the open valve at the opposite end. Repeat this process at least two times to get as much air as possible out of the tubes. Cap the tubes solidly.
  6. Mix 20% chlorine, 80% water solution in a plastic bucket.
  7. Using rubber gloves and disposable toweling, wipe the outside of the tube and the anchor hem clean with the chlorine and water solution, Allow to air dry.
  8. Flop the tubes over to expose the inside and repeat step 17. Allow to air dry.

Folding the Dome Off the Pool

  1. Go to the end of the pool opposite from where you want to fold the dome.
  2. Fold the end wall of the dome over itself (dry material against dry material) so that the dome will float when being pulled across the water. Flip the folded wall and force air into the fold for better floatation. Two people are required to do this properly.
  3. Move to the other end of the dome (2 people) and begin "accordion" folding the dome off the pool, dry material against dry, wet against wet. Check after each fold to make sure the edges of the dome are up on the concrete and that the folded end is floating freely. Continue to accordion fold (approximatey 2' folds) until the dome is in a strip across the end of the pool.
  4. Once the dome is folded across the end of the pool, roll each end tightly toward the center of mass, then roll one half up on top of the other half.
  5. Place the dome on a hand truck, wheelbarrow, wagon etc. and take it to an area paved with concrete (tennis court, parking lot etc.). If you use a hand truck, place a sheet of plywood between the dome and the wheels so that the dome is kept away from the wheels.
  6. Once at the paved area, unroll and unfold the dome, wet side up, and allow to air dry COMPLETELY. Lift up the edges and let the air circulate beneath the dome. Once the dome is completely dry, turn it over and double check to make sure the outside is dry.
  7. With the outside of the dome facing up, fold the clear walls in neatly over the top of the dome. Make sure that the water tubes or the air seal flap are flat and that the corners are folded neatly.
  8. Accordion fold the dome into a strip as described in step 21. Take your time and fold as neatly as possible. Make the folds so that they correspond with the width of the box. Allow air to escape after each fold prior to making the next fold.
  9. Roll each end toward the middle as described in step 22. Place the dome in the box and tie securely with rope.
  10. Mark the box as to how the dome is folded so you will know which end of the pool to position the box and what direction to pull the dome when re-installing.
  11. Storage: Max temp = 115 degrees (℉) Min temp = 0 degrees (℉)

Need More Help?

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