Signs You Need to Replace Your Hot Tub Cover

Your hot tub cover is not only attractive, but it’s a necessary accessory. It plays a vital role in the care of your spa by doing two things.

Your spa cover helps keep your hot tub clean, and it helps keeps costs low by keeping the heat in.

You’ll also find that your hot tub cover prevents excess evaporation, which helps you conserve water. In addition, the cover keeps debris and objects out of your hot tub. This keeps things from falling into your hot tub and clogging your filter. By keeping your hot tub cover in good condition, you keep your spa operating at its very best.

Yet, like most things in life, hot tub covers don’t last forever, and sometimes you need to replace them. In this article, we look at the signs to look for that signal you need to replace your hot tub cover.

Do I Need to Replace My Cover?

Spa covers are designed to last for a long time. However, any object that is exposed to sunlight and weather over time will eventually show signs of wear. This is why it is so important to inspect your spa cover monthly for warning signs. Here is what to look for:

• Breaks, cracks, tears, fading, or sagging.
• Deteriorating conditions and changes in shape that could cause the cover to let heat and water vapor out and dust and debris in.
• Dry or brittle texture, in addition to holes and other visible signs of breakage.
• Your hot tub cover is waterlogged. When the vapor barrier fails, the inner foam absorbs water, creating a perfect environment for bacteria and mildew to grow. Not only is a waterlogged cover a health hazard, but it could also lead to accelerated deterioration of the other parts of your spa.

Want more info? Check out our Five Point Cover Inspection Checklist for additional details!

Regular Maintenance Matters

Clean your cover:

To keep your spa cover looking great and doing its job, you want to clean it periodically.

To clean the cover, remove it from the spa and lightly spray the outside surface with a garden hose. Then use a very mild soap solution (one teaspoon of liquid dish soap to two gallons of water) or baking soda and a large sponge to gently scrub the cover using a circular motion. Work in sections and rinse each area before the soap dries on the vinyl.

Then condition the cover with the appropriate cover conditioner. On the inside surface, use water only and wipe it clean with a dry towel.

Let the spa breathe:

When you treat or clean the spa itself or the water in it, leave the cover off for about half an hour immediately afterward. Water purification agents need air to mix properly. Covering the spa immediately after adding chemicals can trap vapors inside that work against the longevity of the vinyl.

Final Thoughts

Take care of your cover. Don’t put anything heavy on it; it might stretch and sag, speeding up its deterioration. Remind your family and friends that your hot tub cover is not a table.

Also, remove snow and ice from the cover in the winter. Don’t pry it off, or you might tear the cover. Gently loosen it with warm water.

Don’t try to handle it on your own. Either get someone to help you or ask us about our hot tub cover lifters.

If you’re ready for a new cover, come see us today at one of our three locations!