It is very important to clean your hot tub cover regularly to not only avoid dirt and dust build up but also mold and mildew growth.Dirt and dust on your cover may not seem like a big deal as it really does not affect your cover, but it will affect your hot tub water.Dust and dirt build up on your cover will eventually transfer to your water which will in turn cause bacteria to grow in the moisture and build up on the bottom side of your hot tub cover causing mold and mildew growth.

When mold and mildew build up in your cover it will eventually cause the cover to stink. We often hear from customers who state they are doing everything right with their water but are still getting the awful smell. If you are changing your water every 3-4 months, cleaning your filters with Filter Cleaner, and balancing your chemicals regularly chances are the smell is coming from our hot tub cover due to mold.

In this case your hot tub cover needs to be cleaned. This can be done with a cover cleaner mixed with water, it is not recommended to use household products on your cover as they can get into the water and cause problems with your chemical balance. The only exception to this would be if there are physical dark or black splotches of mold that you can see.In this case you can use bleach diluted in water to wipe the cover down, this will help kill the mold. You may also want to remove the vinyl from the cover and wipe down the foam core to ensure the mold is removed.When you are done with the bleach solution be sure to rinse everything VERY well with clean water to ensure there is none left that may cause problems in your tubs water.

Once your problem is taken care of the only way to be sure to avoid the problem again in the future is to clean the cover regularly (approximately every 2 months) by using a cover cleaner solution and water, this will also help extend the life of your cover and keep it mold free.

When looking to purchase a new or replacement hot tub cover, you will find that there are hundreds of sellers trying to get your business. Although price is an important factor, there are several other things that you should look for when determining which cover to purchase. Also a standard cover may not meet all your specific needs so it is also important to consider options and upgrades specific to your hot tub cover needs.

Foam Thickness

Most covers you will find offer some level of tapering in the foam to allow for rain, snow, and ice run off—similar to the slant of the roof on your house. You will find covers with as little as a 3” to 2” taper up to 6” to 4”. A standard cover thickness of 4” to 2” taper should do the job fairly well in most circumstances. If you live in a place that gets very cold and you do get quite a bit of snow on your cover, upgrading to a high foam thickness might be a good option as a higher thickness will help with weight bearing of the snow and also provide better insulation in extreme temperatures.

Foam Density

Much like foam thickness, foam density plays a large part in load capacity and insulation for you cover. Foam density is measured by pound per square inch. The lower the foam poundage the more open the cells of the foam are. The foam used in hot tub covers is rated by an R- Value. Most standard covers would include 1 lb. foam density with an R-Value of 15.5; covers are also available in 1.5 lb. (R-16.5) or 2 lb. (R-17.5). Just like the thickness the higher the foam density the more strength the cover will have for load capacity and will provide added insulation.

Vinyl

When considering a hot tub cover make sure that Marine Grade Vinyl is used. This vinyl is the heaviest available and is also enhanced with UV inhibitors and mildew retardants, to keep you cover safe in direct sunlight and prevent mildew build up from the moisture.

Steam Stoppers

Purchasing a cover with built in steam stoppers will help with keeping the heat in your hot tub. This will cause you heater to have to run less as the temperature will be better maintained and this will also contribute to energy savings.

Vapor Barrier

Many cover manufacturers offer double poly wrapping, we actually recommend a Permaliner Vapor Barrier instead. The vapor barrier is a special thick blue plastic barrier that protects your cover against corrosion from chemicals and ozone, and will also help prevent a “water logged” cover.

At Hot Tub Warehouse, our hot tub covers are custom, made to order. Covers are not a one size fits all when it comes to size or needs and options. This is why we give our customers the opportunity to build a spa cover to meet all their personal needs. Our covers are always made from the highest quality marine grade vinyl, they start at a 4” to 2” tapered foam which can be upgraded, and a R- 15.5 insulation value which can also be increased. If you have any questions about building your custom spa cover please visit us at www.hottubwarehouse.com or give us a call.

After depositing quite a good chunk of money purchasing, installing and setting up the hot tub, they’re likely to balk at the idea of spending even more money and therefore opt for cheap alternatives such as plastic or rubber tarps. Unfortunately, these items provide minimal, if any, protection and fail to shield your hot tub from key environmental and situational factors. Purchasing a good quality hot tub cover is hugely important as it protects your investment and keeps it in good, working condition.

Safety

Hot tub covers will provide a safety net for families by preventing accidental slips and falls. Unattended children or pets are at risk for accidents that could have serious, even deadly, results if they wander out near an uncovered pool or hot tub. Protect your family by securely covering your spa or hot tub so no accidents occur.

Heat Retention

Insulated hot tub covers keep heat trapped so the water retains warmth. This lowers your electricity costs as it will take less time to get the water back up to optimal heat levels. Typically, water heats up and cools down more slowly than other surfaces so an uncovered spa will utilize a large amount of power to heat up the entire body of water – save money and time by retaining heat in your spa with a fitted spa cover.

Durability in Inclement Weather

During severe storms (and even on windy days) a tarp will quickly and easily be blown off by powerful winds. To keep this from happening, hot tub owners will oftentimes secure their plastic tarps with bricks, cinderblocks and other heavy items. The danger with these items is that even while stationary, they can cause harm to your hot tub by corroding the surface. Alternately, in strong storms they may be blown off along with the tarp and cause damage to your property.

Evaporation & Cleanliness

A fitted spa cover will keep your hot tub from losing water through evaporation, as well as keeping impurities from seeping in and polluting your clean water. Since hot tubs are not drained and refilled after every use, it is critical to make sure to maintain the ratio of water to chemicals and to sustain the level of water cleanliness. Without regular use of a spa cover, you will more frequently need to either refill your hot tub, or entirely drain the hot tub in order to clean it.

Without the correct hot tub cover, dirt can be blown in underneath tarps and contaminate the water leaving your hot tub murky and brown like an unkempt pool and making it unfit for use! Sturdy covers are also more durable than tarps when larger debris (such as branches) falls in to the hot tub as they are designed to keep pollutants out and maintain the level of water in your hot tub.

Ashely Olson, Hot Tub Warehouse. Hot Tub Warehouse is a supplier of quality hot tub parts and accessories, including fitted spa covers and hot tub covers. For a wide selection of hot tub chemicals, testing supplies, filters and more, please visit Hot Tub Warehouse.