Hot Tub Buying Guide

How to fix heavy hot tub cover

You try to remove your hot tub cover and it seems a little heavy. No big deal, it rained recently. It will be fine, you tell yourself. The next time, it seems the same, maybe a tad bit heavier. You ignore it too long and bam, you have a water-logged, heavy cover. What to do?

Well, it may be too late. Typically if a hot tub has been compromised and has started to take on water, it may be time to go shopping. If you catch it early, you may be able to save it. First, dry it out. Remove it from the tub and place it in a sunny spot allowing the warming powers of the sun to evaporate that water away. Then find the damage and repair it with a patch, if needed. Remember a hot tub cover has a life expectancy - which means it will decay and need to be replaced. It is exposed to the elements - sun, wind, heat, cold, rain, snow, etc. - as well as the humidity from the tub's water.

A water drenched cover will not keep the heat in the tub. It may still protect the tub from falling debris and critters, but it's not helping to insulate the tub if it is saturated. So it may be time for a new cover. A good cover is worth it. It will protect your tub from damage from outside sources such as lawn debris, sticks, wind, etc, but the cover will also help retain the heat inside trapping it beneath its lid. This, of course, will save you some money on your electric bill.

Be sure to maintain your cover with the same care you give your hot tub. Consider investing in a cover lift. A cover lift removes the cover with less effort than manually and likely with less wear and tear. You may also want to consider a floating cover - a blanket of sorts that sits on the top of the water. It will reduce the heat and condensation that rises to the cover itself. This will keep the heat in the water and the water off the underside of the cover, saving you money on electricity and by extending the life of the cover. Also check to see that your cover is UV protected. If it is not, you may want to get a vinyl cover for your cover - that's a lot of layers, but may just be worth it - to protect it from the strong rays of the sun.

Keep your cover clean and in good shape. Check for damage regularly and repair immediately.