When Is It Time to Replace Your Hot Tub Cover?

While there is no exact point at which a cover should be replaced, most covers will need to be replaced after five to seven years.

Over time, hot tub covers become saturated with water, becoming heavier and heavier. Eventually they will either become too heavy to lift or the seam between the two sides of the cover will tear and the cover will split in two. Covers can also start to “cup” if they are subjected to heavy loads, like an excessive amount of snow or ice.

Covers should be replaced as soon as you notice either of these issues happening. Foam insulates by trapping warm air in the bubbles of the foam. As covers become saturated and those bubbles fill with water the cover will lose the ability to effectively insulate and can cause your monthly energy bill to increase.

A cupped hot tub cover will also cause an increase in energy costs since it causes the corners of the cover to lift up, breaking the seal around the edge and allowing the heat to escape.

Watch out for some online retailers that will advertise low prices for their basic covers.

When those bargain covers are priced with features that are comparable to what other retailers provide, they will often end up being very similarly priced.

By buying a cover online, you may also be losing out on free delivery or disposal of your old cover. If there is a problem with the cover you have to worry about return shipping and dealing with notoriously bad online service.

Here are some tips from our experts for taking care of your cover:

• Keep the cover clipped in to prevent it being carried off and damaged by high winds.
• Avoid resting anything heavy on your cover. Remove any heavy loads of snow or ice in the winter. When removing snow off of a cover, don’t use a shovel. Shovel blades can catch on the cover and tear the vinyl, leading to the cover rapidly becoming waterlogged. Brushes used for cars work well.
• Leave your cover fully open for at least 30 minutes after shocking your hot tub. After you shock the hot tub, strong chemical vapors are released that can harm the underside of the cover.
• If you don’t have a cover lifter, use the cover’s handles when moving the cover on and off the hot tub. This will reduce wear on the stitched seams of the cover and prevent them tearing from improper handling.
• Clean your cover using a UV protecting spray at least twice a year to help reduce the harmful effects of the sun on the vinyl finish and stitching.

A cover lifter is an essential accessory that protects your hot tub, the cover, and your investment. Designed to allow one person to effortlessly fold the cover back and out of the way, a lifter makes it easy for you to be in your hot tub in seconds, enjoying all the benefits of a daily soak.

Plan a visit to our showroom soon. Our experts are always here to help.

For more information, visit www.clearwaterspasinc.com or call us at (302) 325-8800.