Confessions of a ThermoSpas Employee

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Hot Tub Covers — Part II

More hut tub cover questions answered…and if you still have hot tub cover questions send them over, I’ll get you the anwsers!

I see water vapor coming from the seams of my hot tub cover. Am I losing heat? If so, what can I do?

Hot tub covers are designed to fold in half for easier handling and storage. The hinge (where the two cover halves come together) and the gap between these two cover halves is a critical area where heat can escape from inside the hot tub. Since 1996, ThermoSpas hot tub covers have been designed with a heat seal gasket at the outer end of each side of the hinge. This Super Heat Seal Gasket is made of 2 pieces of 3/4″ latex tubing that, when folded together, create a tight seal. Whenever the cover closes, the seal automatically pinches together and provides excellent insulation. This seal also acts to protect the bottom of the cover from damage. If the cover gets dragged on the ground, it will ride on the gasket seals and prevent the cover from tearing.

How long should a cover last?

The National Spa and Pool Institute states that the cover will be the first item to replace on your hot tub and should cost $350 to $500. Most competi­tive brands come with a 1year warranty and last an average of 2 to 3 years. ThermoSpas hot tub covers are built with marine grade vinyl and commercial grade nylon zippers, have 28 points of internal reinforcement including a steel C-frame, and utilize a scientifically formulated plastic seal to inhibit moisture absorption. Our new ASTM covers come with a full 3-year warranty and are designed to last 4 to 7 years.

What are the primary causes of delamination to my hot tub cover?

Improper water chemistry mainly improper pH or lack of water maintenance. There are 4 stages of delamination:

1. Discoloration – Bottom side of cover will become discolored.

2. Ruddy and Bumpy – Bottom side of cover will become bumpy.

3. Blistering – Bottom side of cover will blister, sometimes in large blisters.

4. Disintegration – Bottom side of cover will fall off and disintegrate.

Can I just replace the outer vinyl encasement or the interior foam, instead of buying a new cover?

Yes. However, we do not recommend this for several reasons:

1. When removing and replacing foam inserts, you could damage the plastic cover encasing the inserts. Even the smallest hole will become a place for steam to enter, causing the foam inserts to act as sponges – and eventu­ally your cover will weigh a ton!

2. If the manufacturers of the vinyl encasement and the foam inserts are not the same, you will not be able to use them together. Sizes are not standardized.

3. The cost of the vinyl is approximately 75% of the cost of the cover, and replacing it is not necessarily cost effective. Plus, while either component purchased alone is not warranteed, a new cover from ThermoSpas has a 3-year warranty.

How do I care for my cover?

The key to a long lasting cover is proper maintenance. The hot tub cover should be cleaned regularly with a cover conditioner specifically designed for hot tub covers. Using an improper conditioner, or no conditioner at all, will result in the vinyl becoming dry and brittle. Not only does this look bad, but dry, brittle vinyl can tear at the seams and stress points. Covers subjected to direct sunlight and/or harsh winter elements (sleet and rain) require more frequent care. We recommend outdoor covers be condi­tioned once a month.

Additionally, it is very important to keep all sharp objects away from the hot tub’s cover. A slight tear, especially in the underside of the cover, will allow in moisture and quickly deteriorate the foam core. Avoid placing heavy objects on the cover, especially in the interior area. Damaging the foam core through abuse may invalidate your warranty. Always keep the cover locked when not in use, especially outdoors in windy areas and/or if there are young children in the home. The number one cause of deterioration of a cover is allowing it to strike hard against the ground and even worse, dragging it along a deck or stone surface. The use of cover lifters has added longer life to hot tub covers.

Why do some towns require fences around a hot tub?

Some communities require that the same code that applies to a swimming pool over 24″ in depth applies to a hot tub, which entails adding fences and padlocks. ThermoSpas’ new ASTM covers with keyed padlocks (in use since 1995) satisfy almost all local building code requirements. For those in heavy wind areas we also recommend our optional hot tub locking straps.

What is the benefit of an extended cover and a longer flap?

These features lock in heat and moisture and keep the dirt out. ThermoSpas extended the vinyl skirting from 2″ to 4″ on all hot tub covers in 1997. We also extended the cover on all models with a wooden top rail, so that rain and precipitation would run off to the ground, rather than the lip of the top rail. These two design changes provide a longer life to the hot tub’s cabinet, and higher energy efficiency to the hot tub.