Hot Tub Care:Spa Covers

One of the most important factors in Spa maintenance is the cover.  The cover is designed to keep debris out of the spa.  If debris such as branches, pollen, leaves, grass clippings, and various out door items fall into the spa they can get caught in the filtration system or sucked into the pump area.  This can stop the water from circulating or even do damage to the spa. 

Spa Covers are also designed to insulate the warm water inside.  Without a cover the water is exposed to the elements and the heater would need to work much harder to keep the water temperature regulator.  The best spa covers will insulate very well.  They will help keep household energy consumption low. 

A spa with a cover that is broken or otherwise not functioning properly isn’t much different than a spa with no cover at all.  Old foam covers will saturate and sag under their own weight causing the center seam to rip allowing debris in and precious heat out.  A saturated foam cover also won’t insulate.   

Signs it may be time to replace a cover:

• The cover is very heavy
• The center seam is coming apart
• Steam is visibly escaping around the edges
• The foam is cracked or broken
  

There are many options for replacements.  Selecting a new cover can be overwhelming.  There are aluminum covers that can support weight, tapered covers that cause rain and snow to run off, and locking covers to keep children out.  There are also covers that don’t use foam to bridge or insulate but air.  These covers are dome shaped and cause water to run off as well.  It is recommended to find a custom-built spa cover.  These custom covers will fit the spa much better and do a much better job of keeping heat in and debris out.  A properly working custom cover will save owners money, time, and headaches over the life of their spas.