Can a Hot Tub Cover Be Dried Out?
A worn-out hot tub cover may become waterlogged over time. This is caused by tears on the vinyl cover that allows water in. A damaged cover can be replaced by buying a new one.
First, I removed the foam inserts in the cover and allowed them to dry fully. Since some of them were dirty with grit, I had to clean them first before they dried. I then allowed the vinyl cover to dry well. To address the future entrance of water, I had to patch all the holes in the cover.
However, this will depend on the extent of the damage since badly damaged covers have a moldy smell coming out and might need to be replaced.
Drying out a hot tub cover works best on slightly damaged ones. Again, if the cover is saggy in the middle, drying out might not work; it is only worth saving a not-so-bad damaged cover.
Is It Easy To Dry Out A Waterlogged Hot Tub Cover?
Yes. But allow me to first take you through the causes of waterlogging in spa covers. Ideally, hot tub covers are made up of thick insulated foam.
These are encased in plastic sheeting, with foam sandwiched between layers of vinyl. The joints are either stitched or zipped and then sealed.
Over time, the vinyl will break down due to exposure to the elements and the repeated lifting that further stresses the material.
Consequently, cracks will begin to appear, and these might allow water in. The problem is exacerbated in cases where they are lifted without a hot tub cover lifter.
Due to the immense weight of the cover (over 75 lbs), it is not easy to gently set it on the ground after opening the hot tub.
The cover’s weight causes tiny tears and rips on the cover’s seams when this is repeated.
However, the plastic sheeting also gets torn in the process.These tears allow water to get in from the underside in the form of water vapor.
When it comes to drying up a waterlogged hot tub cover, you need first to dry out the insulation.
To do this, it is required that you remove the core and then allow it to dry naturally. After removing it, seek to establish the cause of the waterlogging to address the problem.
This is a DIY job and can be handy in saving you hundreds of dollars. As long as you have suitable materials, you will find it easy to patch up the torn vinyl.
A good adhesive will be your key to success, and you should therefore not use an old adhesive.
A low-quality adhesive will not last long since most glues combine with vinyl oils, turning the glue gooey, loosening the bond.
Consequently, the best adhesive should have a built-in inhibitor.
I used Tear-Aid when repairing my cover since it has a high level of conformity and flexibility that makes it suitable along with hinged areas.
Another advantage of using a Tear-Aid kit is that it is resistant to UV rays, meaning that it won’t wear out if left exposed to the sun.
Roughen the area on all sides of the tear with light grade sandpaper and then wipe the residue with a soft dry material. It is critical to cut the patch.
The alcohol preparation pads supplied with the kit should apply some thin film on the surface around the tear or hole. The patch should be applied using firm pressure.
Since it will bond in a few seconds, it is critical to have the path well-positioned the first time as you can’t have a second chance to do this. The patch will take several hours to cure well, and that’s it.
Is It Possible To Replace The Foam In My Hot Tub Cover?
Yes. Damaged foam in your hot tub cover can be replaced and should be replaced. Since many hot tub covers have a zipper, it is easy to remove the foam.
However, if your cover does not allow any access to the foam, you will need to replace the cover.
If you choose to replace the foam, it is advisable to do this with foam with the same dimensions as the original foam.
The foam must be precisely the same size and thickness as the original, and always use a suitable material for hot tub use, such as Styrofoam.
Although Styrofoam is quite expensive, do not skimp too much on the cost as it’s worth it.
Unfortunately, many companies prefer to sell the whole cover since they make more money that way.
Again, they hate dealing with returns from people who failed to take their measurements correctly.
Consequently, it may take you some time to find a company willing to sell you the insets alone. It is also a good idea to check with your hot tub dealer and see if they sell cover inserts.
Free inserts might be attached to your hot tub or free-standing. Additionally, they can either be manual or automatic.
When it comes to installing inserts, it is normally easy and simple, even as they help save you too much trouble while increasing the lifespan of your cover.
Should I Replace My Hot Tub Cover Too Often?
No. but often, it is a relative term. Replacing a hot tub cover within a span of five to seven years is considered ideal.
This is because the cover will not last forever. However, this time can be drastically reduced if you are not keen on taking care of your hot tub.
The main things that will cause the cover to wear out more rapidly are constant lifting and extended exposure to sun rays.
However, if you are not manually lifting the hot tub cover, there is no need to worry. You can counter the effect of the sun by constructing a shade for your hot tub.
Again, a monthly dirt removal schedule will ensure that your hot tub cover’s vinyl is safe from accelerated damage.
It would be fine to have a monthly treatment to stay away from having to replace your cover before five years. The treatment works great on the vinyl.
Additionally, scheduled leaves and dirt removal is not a bad idea. It is critical to understand that mold will grow and thrive in hot tubs since they trap moisture.
Additionally, it is a good place for bacterial growth. Therefore, extra carefulness needs to be practiced in this issue.
Again, large amounts of snow should be cleaned in winter since the weight can be a precursor to permanent foam damage.
Can I Prevent My Hot To Tub Cover From Getting Waterlogged?
Yes. It is easy to prevent your hot tub from getting waterlogged. When you allow your hot tub to get waterlogged, you are inviting trouble.
Well, to achieve this, you will first need only to buy a good faulty cover.
Indeed, a better quality cover means a longer life of the hot tub’s cover since good quality means it will take longer to get waterlogged.
Ideally, all hot tub covers take in moisture. However, the rate at which they absorb the humidity will depend on the cover’s quality.
High-quality covers are not only poor absorbers of moisture, but they have a vapor-resistant barrier with better seams.
Again, the expensive covers will also come with a warranty, and this is something you need.
Among the things covered by the warranty is water invasion. The high-end covers not only last longer, but they also offer better coverage and better insulations as well.
This means that you also get to reduce the heat loss significantly.
Again, it is recommended to remove the cover as soon as you add chemicals.
For instance, after you shock the water, it is good practice to ensure that your hot tub remains unclosed so that the chemicals and the vapor arising therefore escapes.
This is because the vapor’s intensity is not friendly after adding chemicals – Remember to keep the cover off the hot tub for a while after shocking the tub or adding chemicals.
The intensity of the vapor intensity at this time is extremely damaging for the underside of your cover.
Again, it is critical to dry your hot tub’s cover regularly. It is recommended to regularly remove the cover and then leave it in the sun to dry.
If this is done every week, the build-up of moisture will be considerably slowed down and adding to the life expectancy of the cover.
Still, the cover needs to be regularly inspected. It is critical to ensure that all damages or holes spotted are repaired instantly to avoid costlier repair if left to deteriorate further.
Indeed, when you leave damage in a hot tub’s cover unattended, it worsens and will ultimately make you dig deeper into your pocket to repair.
Are There Pros And Cons Of Replacement Hot Tub Covers?
Yes. Indeed, it is common to have traditional foam covers completely damaged by rain or even hail. Unfortunately, this might happen regardless of whether the cover is old or new.
While a new cover destroyed by the elements is quite frustrating, no cover won’t hurt you if damaged.
Largely, this is due to the rigidity of the traditional form that scarcely accepts any impact well.
Therefore, hail, falling debris, and other elements will make the cover susceptible to damage.
As you look for replacement hot tub covers, your first option would be hot tub covers constructed from aluminum stronger than foam-filled covers.
But there is a downside of this as well; aluminum covers are not flexible; hence they use too much storage space.
Additionally, it is a known truth that aluminum covers quickly turn into large and destructive Frisbees in stormy winds.
You might go around this problem by getting a very strong cover that serves as a part of the deck that can be rolled over the spa.
Unfortunately, that will collect debris from the floor, which ends up getting into the hot tub. Additionally, there is little insulation offered by these covers.
You may still choose a reinforced rigid foam hot tub cover since it has foam glued together with the board.
This is especially important as it enhances withstanding of hail and storms. However, these are also heavy and turn to disasters when there are storms. Again, if the covers are saturated, it will take four people to open them.
Lastly, you might choose to have a hot tub cover that can absorb impacts.
These can be filled with gases or air to guards against any impact damage emanating from falling branches, debris, and hail.
Conclusion
It is possible to dry waterlogged hot tub covers as this will give a new lease of life to your hot tub.
However, it is best to prevent this from happening than to wait for the problem to happen and then deliberate on addressing it.
Prevention works better than any recovery method. Additionally, when destruction happened, it is costly, and you don’t want to incur expenses you would have otherwise avoided.
When you regularly clean your hot tub’s cover and treat it using UV protective paint, the cover’s life expectancy should increase significantly.
This increase can go to the tune of three years in a row! Since constant lifting causes a lot of straining on your hot tub’s cover, it is advisable to use a cover lift to ensure a minimal stain on the hot tub’s cover.
All the same, if the damage is too great, you might not have any alternative but to replace your cover.
