How to look after your spa cover

Your spa’s cover is an essential element in looking

after your spa. Knowing how to maintain it will make all the difference.

How do I care for my spa cover?

A quality cover helps to protect your investment —

your spa pool. Like all our investments, it’s important to look after and plan

time to maintain them.

Keep reading to learn the top 10 ways to ensure your

spa cover stays in excellent condition

so it can protect your spa for years to come.

1. Keep your spa cover clean


One of the best ways to look after your spa cover is to

keep it clean.


Start by wiping off any dust, dirt, and debris

regularly to look after the vinyl surface.


Your spa may be nicely sheltered by some trees or

shrubs so make sure you sweep off the leaves as often as you can to make sure they

don’t discolour your spa cover over time.


Try not to rest your spa cover on grass or dirt, this

will minimise the amount of cleaning you need to do.


Top tip: You can clean the cover with a soft microfibre

cloth and a mild dish detergent to ensure you don’t scratch the vinyl. It's

best to use warm water to wipe off any debris. Try to avoid harsh soaps as this may

dry out the spa cover over time.


To look after your cover long term we recommend using a

specialised vinyl cleaner. You can use a vinyl protection spray on the outside of

the cover, this will keep it looking brand new.

2. Keep an eye on your spa's pH levels

Maintaining the pH levels of your spa water is not only

important for your own comfort and enjoyment, it also helps to look after your spa

cover.
If the water in your spa is too acidic, the pH levels

can damage the underside of the cover and it will begin to absorb moisture over

time. This will make the cover heavier and harder to use and it will begin to

deteriorate over time.

Make sure you regularly test the pH of your spa water

using a test strip or automatic PH reader. The ideal pH range for spas is 7.2 to

7.8. Any reading below 7.2 means your water is acidic.

3. Leave the cover off after adding chemicals


When putting in chemicals or topping them up, make sure

you leave the cover open for at least 15 minutes to allow the chemicals time to

work their magic.


This is important as, once the chemicals are added to

the water, they release gas into the air. This process is called oxidation and the

gas can damage the underside of your spa cover.

4. What not to do with a spa

pool cover


There are many ways to extend

the life of your spa pool cover and avoid having to replace it too soon. As with

most things, the more you care for them, the longer they will last.


We've come up with the top

5 things not to do with your spa cover.


Leave your dog unattended

around the spa cover


Stand on your spa cover


Store items on your spa cover


Leave your spa cover off when

not in use


Use sharp items when removing

debris from your spa cover


We explain a few of the above

points in more detail below.

5. Watch dogs around spa pool

covers


We don’t know why, but dogs

love spa pool covers!


To avoid finding your cover

coated in dog hair, sagging in the middle or worse – ripped to shreds, we

recommend keeping your furry friend away from your spa cover.


When it comes to dogs, here are

our top tips:


Move the stairs away so the dog

can’t climb onto the spa cover. Although covers are strong and hard-wearing it’s

best to keep any weight off them for longevity.


Consider fencing your spa so

there’s a clear barrier to keep the dog away from the spa. Not all regions require

pool and spa barriers so if you do not have one you might consider installing a

barrier. This will also help if you have young children and want to keep them away

when unsupervised.


Don’t leave the cover on the

ground with an unsupervised dog. Once the dog has found the cover it may be too

late. You could consider using a cover lifter to keep your spa out of harm's

way.

6. Please do not stand on your

spa pool cover


We know it’s tempting to store

a few lightweight items on top of the flat spa cover or to climb on top of it, but

it’s best to keep everything off the top of your spa. This will prevent the cover

from sagging or breaking and increase the life of your spa cover.


Most covers are heavy-duty,

have a foam core and aluminium bracing which gives a reasonable weight holding –

but try not to stand on or place anything on top if you can.

Hot Tub Covers – Is a Hot Tub Cover Different Than a

Spa Cover?


There is nothing like relaxing in a spa or hot tub

after a long, grueling day. You know your spa or hot tub needs to be covered for

safety reasons, but is a hot

tub cover different than a spa cover? Using the right cover will keep your

hot tub or spa safe and running efficiently.


The right hot tub or spa cover can save you money; in

fact, it can actually pay for itself within 6 months. The covers are designed to be

durable, strong and are made of the best materials. They have also been designed

with the high temperatures of your hot tub or spa in mind to and are made to

withstand those temperatures.


When you look at hot tub covers or spa covers, there

really isn’t much of a difference in the way that they are made, but the shape may

be different since hot tubs can be round, square or rectangular. Spas are generally

square or rectangular.


All hot tub and spa covers are made in layers. The best

quality hot tub and spa covers are thicker, but they taper from one side to the

other to allow rain, snow and ice to slip off of the cover much like it would off a

house roof. How thick the cover is will determine how much load it can bear and the

size is based on the size of your hot tub or spa. If you need a new cover, you will

need to measure the unit carefully to ensure a proper fit.


Spa and hot tub covers are made from high-density foam

which is placed inside the cover. The density of the foam determines the insulation

value, which will affect how warm the water in your spa or hot tub remains. It also

affects how much load bearing capacity the cover has and will determine the life of

the spa cover. You can get spa or hot tub covers that are 1 pound or 1.5 pounds.

The 1.5 pound cover generally is easy to take off and put on your spa or hot tub,

is very strong and insulates well. You can find covers with higher foam densities

if more load bearing is necessary.


It is absolutely necessary to cover your hot tub or

spa. Not only will this keep your electric or gas bill down because it helps your

spa or hot tub retain heat, keeping the unit covered when not in use will keep your

pets and family, as well as strangers, safe from drowning. Check your area to see

if spa and hot tub covers are required to meet specific ASTM standards; you can

find out from the local building department. There are also some covers that offer

lock down ties as well as cover lifts.


You can find hot tub and spa covers in three types:


Soft covers are the least expensive of all. They are

not made with foam cores. This makes the covers easy to fold, light and easy to

store. Because they are so lightweight, it is not recommended unless the hot tub is

covered by a roof or is indoors.


Hard covers are more rigid and protect better than soft

covers do. Their foam effectively traps the heat which helps you save money. The

downside to these covers is that they can be heavy and more difficult to move. They

also cost considerably more than the soft covers.


Walk-on or aluminum covers for hot tubs are so strong

you can walk or sit on them. They are made from aluminum, foam, fiberglass, other

materials. They are made to outlast the vinyl foam covers and with a little

maintenance should be a onetime only purchase.


How Do Hot Tub Cover Lifters Work?


Generally a cover lifter has a bar that rests against

the fold in the cover. After unclipping the child safety locks from the front of

the cover, you simply fold it back over that bar. Then, as you fold back one more

time, the cover is mechanically brought back, off the hot tub surface and held in

place. It’s easy to do by yourself in seconds.


What If I Don’t Have A Spa Cover Lifter?


Without a hot tub cover lifter, you’d fold the cover

back and then slide it off the hot tub. Hot tub cover stands are available to keep

the hot tub cover off the ground, but if you’re doing this task by yourself, at

least one edge of the cover will rest against the ground as you do it. More than

likely, a corner is going to bang against the ground and possibly get damaged.

Getting the cover back onto the hot tub is a task that’s not easy for one person,

mostly because of the unwieldy nature of a large cover and lack of proper leverage.

Over time, some covers may get heavier from moisture build-up, making a

hot tub cover lifter even

more of an advantage.


Standard hot tub cover lifters


Standard hot tub cover lifters are more traditional and

cost-effective than hydraulic cover lifters. They don’t use hydraulics or pistons,

but are very durable and a great choice for people who don’t have any unique

specifications.


This type of lifter requires at least 14” or more

behind the spa for proper installation and operation. Although they do their job

well, you have to be careful not to push the cover too hard when opening, as the

cover might rock back on you and damage the cover lifter or tub at the stop point,

or where it rests while open. Also, you don’t have the assistance of the

hydraulics when replacing the cover onto the tub.


When it comes to making removing and replacing covers

easier, standard cover lifters can’t compare to their hydraulic counterparts.

However, standard models such as the Cover Handler are easy to install, feature

very durable, all-metal components, and offer excellent value for the investment.

Hydraulic Cover Lifters


One of the biggest benefits of owning a

hydraulic

cover lift is that it makes the chore of removing, storing, and replacing the

covers easy for 1 person without having to seek help. They also help extend the

life of your cover by minimizing dropping or storing it on the ground, which could

otherwise rip and scuff the vinyl.


Most hydraulic lifters require comparably little

clearance from any nearby walls, fences, or other objects, and safely hold your

cover in place while you use your hot tub.


These products run

on “piston power” to help you move your cover. You just need to gently move the

cover in an upward direction, and pistons instantly take the burden away! Replacing

the cover back on the tub is just as easy – just tug the cover so the pistons

lower the cover back into place.


Another type of these lifters operates more like

baskets that cradle your cover. They’re supported by the bottom of your tub so any

extra weight won’t cause any damage. Many users feel that this functionality makes

this type of lifter preferable to other models that simply “hang” the cover-up.

Typically, you need 36” for proper installation and operation of these basket

cover lifters.


Hydraulic cover lifters have a variety of options to

fit every size and configuration of hot tub, so you’re sure to find the one that’

s right for you. After that, your days of struggling with your hot tub covers will

be behind you, and you can then look forward to using your hot tub more, instead of

dreading how heavy your cover will be on any given day.


If you want to get the most out of your spa experience,

the answer is a resounding YES!


The only decision you really need to make is which

cover lifter is the best for your hot tub and backyard configurations. The best

idea is to ask your local hot tub professional for their advice. They’ll ask the

right questions in order to gather enough information to help you make an informed

decision.


Once your new spa cover lifter is installed, you’ll be

ready once again for that well-deserved relaxing massage!