How to Repair Your Waterlogged Hot Tub Cover
- Attempt to dry out the hot tub cover
- Inspect the hot tub cover for rips or tears
- Determine whether or not the hot tub cover can be saved
- Attempt to save the hot tub cover
- If all else fails: Replace it. Well maintained, a hot tub cover should last you 5-7 years. ...
Full Answer
When should I replace my hot tub cover?
You may need a new cover if you notice any of the following conditions:
- The vinyl cover is torn, cracked or brittle. This can affect the safety, heat retention and beauty of your cover.
- The cover is not forming a tight seal against the top edge of the hot tub. ...
- Straps and locks are not functioning. ...
- The cover has become heavy, is sagging or has puddles forming on top. ...
How to repair a hole in a hot tub cover?
Repairing Holes in Your Hot Tub Cover
- Examine the Hole for Size and Depth. Some holes are tiny, almost like a pin prick, and don’t include damage to the foam beneath the vinyl.
- Collect Repair Materials. ...
- Cut the Patch. ...
- Clean and Rough Up Around the Hole. ...
- Apply the Adhesive and Patch. ...
How to take care of a hot tub cover?
Other random tips to make your cover last longer :
- Don’t sit or walk on your hot tub cover
- Stick to your maintenance plan : don’t use more chemicals than necessary.
- Once in a while, flip the foam inside of your cover like you would a mattress.
- Use a hot tub cover lifter.
- Use a hot tub cover cap.
- Keep it dry.
How to properly clean a hot tub?
- Gather hot tub cleaning products like a garden hose, vacuum, cover cleaner, propylene glycol.
- Sanitize the spa water.
- Turn off the hot tub.
- Drain it completely.
- Remove filters.
- Add antifreeze.
What is a hot tub cover?
Hot tub covers are one of the most important parts of your hot tub, keeping out foreign objects and debris that can damage the liner or clog the jets. This is especially true if it is kept outside on a patio or deck in the natural elements. In these conditions, however, your cover can go through extreme changes between hot and cold and wet and dry, ...
Why is my hot tub deteriorating?
After the winter season, whether you used your hot tub or not, it's time to perform a deep cleaning. One of the most common causes of a deteriorating vinyl cover, besides the elements, is using the wrong type of cleaner. Look specifically for something made for vinyl care, and avoid anything containing alcohol, bleach, detergent, dish soap, and oil.
How to repair a vinyl top?
There are a few ways you can easily repair the vinyl top if there are some small tears. Depending on the severity, you can use a vinyl cement that will cover the repair and also blend in with the top. These cements are generally pretty strong and are a good overall repair method. Small elastomeric patch products, such as a Tear-Aid Vinyl Patch, can be purchased at specialty spa stores as well. These are easy to apply to a clean vinyl surface and very effective.
What to do if a vinyl cover is ripped?
Remove the foam padding from the vinyl and set aside in a dry place so that the water can evaporate. Once dry, replace the foam padding and use strong tape to repair the rip on the vapor barrier. In the event that this repair doesn't work, it might be time to consider buying a new cover.
Can you put a thermal cover over a hot tub?
Perform another thorough cleaning as well to make sure no debris and bacteria will sit and fester throughout the winter. Also, you can purchase an additional cover for the winter at this time. Placing this over the regular thermal cover will reduce the amount of wear and tear it has to suffer during the cold season.
Do you need to clean a hot tub cover?
You might not think that your hot tub cover will need a maintenance schedule, but it is a good idea to set time aside in almost every season to clean it. You can also conduct regular inspections during this time so that you can catch and repair any damage to the cover before it gets severe.
Can you cut out spa clasps?
Over time the side clasps will begin to rust and can eventually wear out and break. If this happens, you can cut out the broken clasp, and sew in a replacement part from any major spa company .
How do you refurbish a hot tub cover?
A hot tub cover needs periodical attention and care to last longer. The cover of an outdoor hot tub is exposed to elements like strong sunlight, causing discoloration and wearing out. It may lead to the cover turning porous, letting water seep into the foam core during rains. Refurbish the cover once in a while to avoid such issues.
How do you fix a waterlogged spa cover?
You need to take out the foam core and let it dry out. You may do it by placing the foam core vertically in the shade or in the sun so that the water trapped inside the foam cells runs off or evaporates. Depending on the amount of water it soaked up, it may take hours to get dry.
How long will a hot tub cover last?
As compared to other hot tub parts like filters, the hot tub cover lasts considerably longer. A standard hot tub cover will work fine for 5 to 7 years with normal use. With proper care, you can extend the lifespan of the hot tub cover up to 10 years. The lifespan differs depending on the tub is indoors or outdoors.
Can I use Flex Seal on a hot tub cover?
However, to repair your leaky hot tub cover, I recommend better options. If you notice a small hole in the hot tub cover, you may use a Flexi seal to seal it. Flexi Seal may not provide a durable solution since the hot tub cover is exposed to heat and steam.
What kind of foam is in a hot tub cover?
For best results, use 100% closed-cell polystyrene as the foam core of a hot tub cover. Cheaper foam cores made of recycled foam are not very efficient in heat retention. Since one of the major functions of the hot tub cover is to provide insulation to the tub, having a thick and dense closed-cell polystyrene foam core is important.
Can I replace the foam in my hot tub cover?
To replace the foam core, you need to unzip the outer vinyl jacket and pull out the foam core. You may need to replace the foam core that is heavily water-logged or cracked and inefficient to retain heat. In both cases, you may remove the foam core and replace it with a new foam core. Not many companies which sell custom hot tub covers sell replacement foam cores. Typically, the price of the new foam core replacements will be anywhere around 70 percent of the price of a new hot tub cover. I always recommended ordering a new hot tub cover than a replacement for the foam core. In that case, you will replace the outer jacket as well.
Can I fix my hot tub cover?
You can repair your hot tub cover if the damage is not extensive. Fixing a tear on the seam or a hole in the vapor barrier is easy. However, if the damage is extensive, as in the case of a cracked or water-logged foam core, it may not be worth investing time, effort, and money to repair it. Always compare these aspects with the ease and cost of ordering a new cover before fixing your old hot tub cover.
What causes a hot tub cover to tear?
There are many things that can rip the outer vinyl layer of hot tub covers, including: Pets. Falling tree limbs / icicles. Shovels (from trying to remove snow piled on the cover) No matter what caused the tear, it is important that you fix your hot tub cover quickly. The longer you leave a rip in a hot tub cover, the more damage is done.
How does a hot tub cover work?
Hot tub covers work using large pieces of foam insulation. This insulation traps heat from the hot tub in the small airspaces within the foam. Without anything to protect it though, foam insulation will also quickly begin to fill with water; greatly reducing its insulating ability. To combat this, hot tub cover manufacturers seal their foam in ...
Why does my hot tub cover have a cup?
When the edges of a hot tub cover raise, the seal around the edge of the hot tub is broken. This allows heat to escape around the edge of the hot tub; increasing your energy bills. If your hot tub cover has water pooling on it, it had begun to cup and should be replaced as soon as you can; especially if the cold weather is on its way.
How to seal foam in a vapour barrier?
Once the foam is fully dry, put it back in the vapour barrier. Seal the vapour barrier with tape and check for holes or rips; sealing up any that you see. If the vapour barrier is badly deteriorated you'll likely want to start thinking about a new cover as the foam will just start to take on water again.
What does it mean when a hot tub covers are cupped?
A cupped hot tub cover is one where the centre of the cover begins to dip and the edges raise. When the edges of a hot tub cover raise, the seal around the edge of the hot tub is broken.
What are the most important parts of a hot tub cover?
One of the most important components of any hot tub cover is the cover lock clips. They are also one the least used and most commonly broken components on old hot tub covers. Not only do the locking clips keep unwanted people out of your hot tub, they also help to increase the energy efficiency of the cover by pulling down on the edges ...
Can you replace a hot tub cover with hurricane straps?
Fortunately, hot tub cover clips are fairly universal between the various cover manufacturers and replacement cover clips can be easily purchased. If you can't find clips that fit your cover, you can also buy hurricane straps that go over top of the cover and will fit any hot tub.
How do you fix a hole in a hot tub cover?
Fix a hole in a hot tub cover by first cleaning the area with rubbing alcohol. Then cut a patch to be slightly larger than the hole. Peel & stick the patch over the hole and rub until smooth. But it’s also a good idea to upzip the cover and inspect the plastic lining inside for damage and patch if needed.
How to repair a hole in a hot tub?
Clean the area around the tear. The Tear-Aid Kit comes with packages of alcohol pads. Open one and gently wipe the entire area around the hole or the tear. Make sure to get at least 1 inch around the area to be repaired. The patch will have a harder time sticking to dirt, grime, or residue from hot tub chemicals. 2.
What can cause a tear in my hot tub cover?
A tear in a hot tub cover is typically caused by the vinyl getting old and dried out. Then if the cover is slid off the hot tub onto the ground, the weight of the cover and the impact can cause the cover to tear along seams and joints.
How long do hot tub covers last?
Uut under normal wear and tear, you can expect a hot tub cover to last between 5-7 years. But with regular cleaning and using a protectant, you can probably extend the life of your hot tub cover to over 10 years.
When should I replace my hot tub cover?
You should replace a hot tub cover when the damage is such that it cannot be repaired. That kind of damage can include broken foam inserts, excessive mold or mildew, or an extensively torn vinyl cover.
How to keep hot tub from cracking?
Use a 10 (water) to 1 (vinegar) ratio. Use a vinyl protectant – Once it’s been cleaned with vinegar, which removes the dirt, grime, hot tub chemical residue, now its time to help moisturize, UV protect, and help prevent fading and cracking.
How much does a hot tub lifter cost?
And no, they don’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. They come in all prices ranges even down to around 50 dollars!
How do hot tub covers get damaged?
The most common way hot tub covers get damaged is through punctures or deterioration of the vinyl covering – the ‘skin’ or the foam’s protective vapour barrier bag/covering, which serve to prevent moisture from entering the high-density foam.
What to do when hot tub cover gets waterlogged?
What to do when your hot tub cover gets waterlogged. niagarahottubs. There’s no way to completely prevent condensation from collecting inside your cover, but annual cleaning and maintenance can extend the life of your hot tub cover, and hopefully prevent waterlogging.
How to repair a vinyl vapour barrier?
Turn the vinyl cover inside out and towel the inside of the cover dry. Lay it in a sunny spot as well. Spray the inside of your vinyl cover and each surface of the foam pieces with a mildew inhibitor and let them dry. Turn the cover right-side-out, insert your foam pieces back in and zip it closed. If a tear should occur in the vapour barrier cover/bag, you can purchase new bags.
How to tell if hot tub cover is waterlogged?
If you notice that your hot tub cover is heavier than usual and appears waterlogged, remove it from the top of your hot tub and inspect it for rips or tears in the vinyl covering or vapour barrier.
What happens if you don't cover a hot tub?
Although there’s many things you can do to prevent waterlogging, it can still creep up on you and affect your hot tub experience.
Can you air dry foam core?
Before you resort to replacing it, air-drying the foam core may be the solution. Care and caution need to be taken when doing this, but rest assured, it is possible!
Is it easy to get a hot tub at home?
Hot tubs at home aren’t always easy to handle, but if you have questions or need help with your backyard oasis, connect with us and relieve your stress. Connect with Niagara Hot Tubs. niagarahottubs.
