Quick Hot Tub Cover Repair Without Replacement
Many times you will find yourself not needing to actually replace your hot tub cover. You could try to repair it first before you go out and spend money on a new hot tub cover. Here are a few FAQs when it comes to repairing your hot tub cover.
What Causes a Tear in Hot Tub Covers?
Here are the most common causes of tears in hot tubs:
- Old age
- It’s weight and friction
- Extreme heat
- Storms
- Hot drinks or food left resting
Typically, tears in hot tubs are simply caused by old age. For instance, over time the vinyl becomes dry.
Then, when the hot tub’s cover is slid off, its weight and the friction created often tears the cover along its seams and joints. In addition, weather conditions also impact the hot tub cover.
For example, the extreme heat placed on a hot tub cover from the sun can cause the vinyl to fade and become weak.
Similarly, storms can cause damage with high winds that may rattle the hot tub cover, or they may result in heavy items coming into contact with and tearing the hot tub cover.
Finally, hot drinks or items left resting on a cover can cause the vinyl to become damaged or warped. Ultimately, any mishandling of a hot tub cover or contact with extreme weather conditions or heat can result in fading, cracks, and tears.
How long do hot tub covers last?
On average, hot tub covers last between 5 and 7 years. This being said, there is no set point at which hot tub covers absolutely need to be replaced.
The location of the hot tub, the maintenance routines applied, and the frequency of use all play a role in the lifespan of a hot tub cover. For example, hot tub covers exposed to intense heat, heavy snow or rain, or severe thunderstorms will quickly fade, wear, and crack.
These covers will need to be replaced closer to 5 years rather than 7. Meanwhile, hot tub covers that are properly cleaned, lifted on and off a hot tub properly, and protected from harsh conditions will have a lifespan closer to 7 years rather than 5 and often last much longer.
When do I Need to Replace my Hot Tub Cover?
Hot tub covers must be replaced when they are no longer fully intact, functional, or safe for use.
Ultimately, a hot tub cover’s lifespan comes down to how well it is maintained and the conditions to which they are exposed. For instance, hot tub covers exposed to extreme heat and harsh storms will need to be replaced more quickly than those placed in shaded areas and protected from harsh weather conditions.
Regardless of their conditions or lifespan, there are three telltale signs that indicate that it is time to replace a hot tub cover. First, the cover will become too heavy to lift. Second, the seam between the sides of the cover will tear causing the cover to split in two.
Finally, hot tub covers begin to cup or cave if frequently exposed to heavy loads of snow or rain. If any of these conditions occur, the hot tub cover is no longer safe or effective and should be replaced as soon as possible.
How do you Fix a Tear in a Hot Tub Cover?
Tears or holes in hot tub covers can easily be repaired by creating and applying a patch and can be done with 4 simple steps. Furthermore, items such as a TearAid Kit can be purchased to make the process quick and easy.
- Provide a simple and easy method of patching holes and tears. Easy peel and stick
- Includes alcohol prep pads
- 3" x 5 Foot Roll. Includes alcohol prep pads
- Holds air under pressure even when stretched. See-thru patch works with all colors. Conforms to irregular surfaces
- Won't turn gummy in heat. UV resistance inhibits discoloring. Cuts easily with scissors. Won't pull off when stretched
- First, the area surrounding the tear should be thoroughly cleaned. This can be done using alcohol pads, and the area cleaned should extend at least an inch in all directions around the area being repaired.
- Next, a patch should be chosen if using a kit, or it should be cut down to the proper size. If repairing a large tear, multiple patches can be used. However, it is important that the new patch extends no less than an inch beyond the hole in all directions. Similarly, if using multiple patches, they should also overlap each other by at least one inch in all directions. After being properly sized, the patches should be applied to the hot tub cover using peel and stick functions. The patch should be slowly peeled back and placed an inch away from the cover. Pressure should then be applied as the patch is slowly peeled and placed over the entirety of the cover.
- When fully applied to the hot tub cover, strong, vigorous force should be applied to the patch to ensure it adheres and all air bubbles are removed.
- Finally, the cover should be unzipped to ensure that the tear did not extend to the plastic on the inside as well. However, if it did, the same steps should be applied to patch this additional tear and ensure the longevity of the hot tub cover.
How do you Fix a Sagging Hot Tub Cover?
Unfortunately, hot tub covers sagging is a fairly common issue amongst hot tub users. Luckily, the issue can be fixed at home.
- First, the hot tub cover should be completely removed from the hot tub itself. Next, the sides of the cover should be unzipped.
- Then, the foam core of the hot tub cover should be removed and inspected for damage to the vapour barrier. If the core of the barrier has been badly damaged, it should be fully dried out or simply replaced. The process of drying can take days of soaking in the sun before the foam becomes completely dry. If the vapour barrier has become damaged, a waterproof plastic covering should be placed over the foam core. Furthermore, if the core of the vapour barrier has been damaged, owners should check the condition of the hot tub cover’s vinyl as there is likely a rip or tear due to the exposure to moisture.
- If a tear has occurred, it can either be patched, or the vinyl cover may need to be replaced completely if the tear is large.
- Finally, once the foam cores have been dried, they should be placed back into the vinyl cover, and the cover should be zipped up once more. From this point, the sagging should be repaired, and the cover can be used as normal.
How to Protect a Hot Tub Cover?
The first steps to protecting a hot tub cover are to ensure that basic maintenance and routines are implemented.
For example, the cover should always be fully lifted and carefully removed from the hot tub when in use, and it should be protected from extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions.
However, to further protect a hot tub cover a protectant spray should be applied roughly every 3 months. To do so, the cover should first be cleaned with a mixture of vinegar and water using a 10:1 ratio. Then, a vinyl protectant should be applied to protect the cover from moisture and UV damage in order to keep the vinyl in its best condition. Taking these steps will prolong the lifespan of any hot tub cover.
