Whether you’re in the market for a hot tub or have been a longtime owner, hot tub covers have undoubtedly been on your mind.
These essential hot tub additions provide ample benefits and are key to your hot tub’s overall efficiency.
While many hot tubs come with a cover upon purchase, others offer it as an optional add-on, and this often leads to the age-old question: “Are hot tub covers really necessary?”
The short answer: Absolutely!
Even in warmer climates, a hot tub cover is a non-negotiable, and whether your spa purchase includes it or not, this is one element you won’t want to forgo.
Let’s explore how hot tub covers support your spa, key maintenance considerations, and how to find the right one when it comes time to reinvest.
Why Are Hot Tub Covers So Important?
The importance of your hot tub cover cannot be overstated.
These mighty yet powerful hot tub accessories are anything but optional, being a staple in hot tub care and efficiency.
Sure, they look good, but how exactly do they help your hot tub?
Maximizes Heat Retention
First off, hot tub covers are designed to fit snuggly around the top of your spa. This tight seal prevents the heat from your water from escaping into the outside air.
Additionally, many hot tub covers include dense insulation, further increasing their ability to lock in heat.
This not only keeps your water toasty warm and ready to enjoy, but it also reduces the work your system needs to do to maintain its temperature, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
Prevents Damage
At first, you may think your cover offers little protection since it only covers the top of your spa, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Your water and anything that gets into it can significantly impact the rest of your system and the many parts of your spa.
Your cover keeps harmful debris from entering your water, ensuring your system isn’t exposed to excessive debris.
The dirtier your water, the more work your system has to do to maintain its clarity. This not only reduces efficiency but also results in grime developing in your pipes and on your filter much faster.
Saves Time and Money
Speaking of water quality, the more contaminants your water is exposed to, the faster your sanitizer levels drop, resulting in more frequent treatments to maintain its clarity and cleanliness.
Your cover helps keep maintenance times to a minimum by keeping water clean.
This makes it easier to maintain its quality and reduces the amount of treatment products needed, effectively saving you both time and money.
Enhances Safety
Finally, and possibly most importantly, your cover helps increase the safety of your spa.
Whether you have small children or pets, keeping a cover atop your spa will ensure your youngest loved ones can’t get into the spa without you knowing.
Additionally, covers keep curious animals at bay, ensuring your water isn’t contaminated by wildlife and keeping it reliably clean and free from unwelcoming surprises.
Hot Tub Cover Care Do’s and Don’ts
As an influential element in your spa’s overall health, keeping your cover in good condition is key. Luckily, this is quite a simple process.
Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to caring for your cover:
DO Clean Your Cover Regularly:
Both the underside and top of your cover will require routine care to remain in good condition.
Ideally, you should wipe down the outside of your cover monthly with warm water and soap, using a soft cloth.
Once every 3-4 months (usually alongside your water change), you should clean the underside of your cover.
This side of your cover is constantly exposed to moisture, which can result in mold or mildew developing in the crevices.
Washing the underside, ensuring you get into all the difficult to reach areas, can reduce the risk of this happening.
DON’T Use Household Products:
When it comes to cleaning any element of your hot tub, using household products is a big no-no.
These products are often not pH-balanced, which can lead to damage and unexpected wear and tear.
DO Use a UV Protectant:
Alongside the monthly cleaning of your cover, you’ll want to apply a UV protectant as well.
Being exposed to the sun 24/7, your cover is susceptible to fading or cracking under the harsh rays of the sun, and UV protection is a great way to ensure your cover maintains its quality.
DON’T Let Snow or Rain Pile Up:
While rain and snow are a natural occurrence when your hot tub is outdoors, the added weight they can put on your cover can cause it to slowly collapse inward.
This breaks the seal of your cover, reducing its effectiveness in retaining heat. To ensure your cover maintains this seal, take time to wipe away any snow or rain that’s accumulated on it.
DO Use a Cover Lifter:
While not a necessary accessory, a cover lifter is a great way to keep your cover in pristine condition.
Covers are cumbersome, and can be slightly awkward to remove, especially on your own!
A cover lifter makes this easier, ensuring the weight of your cover is always evenly distributed as you lift it.
Furthermore, it also keeps your cover from being placed on the ground when you want to fully open your spa.
DON’T Close it Right After Treating Your Water:
Anytime you treat your water, it’s crucial you leave your cover open for 20-30 minutes after, allowing the chemicals to off-gas as they treat your water.
Closing your cover too soon can not only result in higher-than-expected chemical levels in your water but also damage the underside of your cover over time.
DO Use Cover Clips:
As you might have guessed, keeping your cover firmly atop your spa is key, and cover clips can help ensure it remains locked in place.
Not only is this a natural deterrent to unwelcome, but it’s also a great way to add an extra layer of safety to your backyard oasis, keeping children from opening the cover.
But that’s not the only way they give you peace of mind. They also help ensure that your cover isn’t affected by extreme weather, keeping it snuggly in place even during high winds.
By following these basic hot tub cover maintenance tips, you can extend the longevity of your cover, ensuring it provides your spa with premium protection for years to come.
It’s Time for a New Cover–Tips For Finding The Right Fit
Traditional hot tub covers generally have a lifespan of 5-7 years. Some automated covers have been able to increase this significantly, but they’re a much larger investment.
With your cover playing such a vital role, it’s important to know when it’s time to replace it, and how to find the right one for your spa.
Let’s narrow down this process.
Signs You Need a New Hot Tub Cover
First and foremost, you’ll need to know what to look for when it comes to determining the quality of your cover.
Even with the best care, there will eventually be a time when you have to replace your cover. Here are the top signs that it’s time to start shopping around:
- Sagging: this is a sure sign the seal is broken, and it’s likely your heat retention has been compromised.
- Physical damage: If the surface has started cracking or has developed rips or tears, there’s a good chance your cover isn’t trapping heat as well as it once did.
- It’s become heavy: this is a surefire sign that your core has begun collecting moisture, which can result in mold, mildew, and decreased heat retention.
If your cover has begun showing these typical signs of wear, it may be time to begin considering re-investing in a new one.
Measuring Your Spa To Find The Perfect Fitting Cover
When it comes to buying a new cover, it’s best to work alongside your dealership, as they will have the industry knowledge to help you find the right one for your spa.
However, before heading off to your dealer, you’ll want to measure your cover so you know what size cover you’re looking for.
Here’s an easy step-by-step guide:
- Measure width and length: Using a measuring tape, measure all sides of your spa, ensuring you measure the outside of the top acrylic and not the interior.
- Find the radius of the corners: Measure the corner of your spa using a carpenter square. The measurement where the ruler meets the edge of your spa is the radius.
- Determine skirt length: Measure from the bottom of your existing cover to the bottom of the acrylic. This ensures your skirt is long enough to completely cover the acrylic but not so long that it bunches up when the cover is closed.
Shop Hot Tubs For Sale in Patchogue, NY
Whether you’re in the market for a new hot tub or are looking for reliable, trustworthy hot tub service and products, the team at AJ Spa & Hot Tubs has you covered.
Our team of experts is here to help with all your hot tub needs, from helping you find the perfect model for your lifestyle to narrowing down the treatment products that best care for your water.
With over 40 years of industry experience, at AJ Spa & Hot Tubs, you’ll discover a team of knowledgeable professionals to help with all your hot tub needs.
Contact us today, or visit our showroom in Patchogue, NY.
