I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!

"trax" wrote in message
...
I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!

I built my own cover our of 3" urethane foam and fiberglass. That, and a 1/2"
ethafoam layer between it and the tub, which isolates it from the humid heat of
the water seems to last well. It's over 15 years old now. The ethafoam layer
could help with the commercial covers also. I got that at a "foam shop". The
heavier blue stuf lasts a lot longer than the cheaper white stuff with the
chlorine exposure.

When you lay the first glass cloth, make it the bottom. Support the edges on
bricks or 2x4 chunks, and the center will droop. The result, when it is turned
over, is a slightly dome shaped cover so the water runs off when it rains.

On Nov 20, 1:07*pm, "Bob F" wrote:
"trax" wrote in message

...

I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. *Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? *It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!

I built my own cover our of 3" urethane foam and fiberglass. That, and a 1/2"
ethafoam layer between it and the tub, which isolates it from the humid heat of
the water seems to last well. It's over 15 years old now. The ethafoam layer
could help with the commercial covers also. I got that at a "foam shop". The
heavier blue stuf lasts a lot longer than the cheaper white stuff with the
chlorine exposure.

When you lay the first glass cloth, make it the bottom. Support the edges on
bricks or 2x4 chunks, and the center will droop. The result, when it is turned
over, is a slightly dome shaped cover so the water runs off when it rains..

I bought a replacement cover online that was made to my specs from a
place in TX about 6 years ago. It's still doing OK, but it is
starting to get heavier. The original one lasted twice that long,
but it was indoor for 10 years, which I think makes a big
difference. Outside with cold temps, you get more condensation that
eventually water logs them.

ours also lasted almost 3 years before it weighed about a ton. The Hot
Springs guy said it's normal. I don't know how the hell it gets in
though.....


s


"trax" wrote in message
...
I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!

We had a spa that was used year round for about 8 years without a problem
with the cover. Maybe it depends on both the core material and the
exterior covering. It never absorbed water.

Wayne



On Fri 21 Nov 2008 11:24:52p, Steve Barker DLT told us...

ours also lasted almost 3 years before it weighed about a ton. The Hot
Springs guy said it's normal. I don't know how the hell it gets in
though.....


s


"trax" wrote in message
...
I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!






--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Friday, 11(XI)/21(XXI)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Countdown till U.S. Thanksgiving Day
5dys 3mins
************************************************** **********************
A millennium is like a centennial, only it has more legs.
************************************************** **********************

Steve Barker DLT wrote:
ours also lasted almost 3 years before it weighed about a ton. The Hot
Springs guy said it's normal. I don't know how the hell it gets in
though.....


s


"trax" wrote in message
...
I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!


Stitched vinyl cover over something porous will do that. (At least on
the few covers I have seen.) Boat cushions and old kapok life vests we
had in my youth did the same thing. My BIL, on his retro wooden
wood-fired hot tub, just buys a sheet of blue foamboard every year for
20 bucks, and weighs it down with brick chunks. Not pretty, but
effective. I think I told him he should go with foil-skinned style next
year, to cut down on the UV breakdown, and that an RV store probably has
some sort of plastic edging that could dress up the cut edges of the
circle to keep the crumbs from flaking off. High-quality aluminum
furnace tape, applied when the foam was brand new, would probably work
as well. A couple long bungee cords would keep it from blowing away
unless wind was strong enough to actually break it up. Or even a couple
smooth 2x2s that fit into decorative wood handles around the edges,
which would also make it easier to get in and out of his climb-in tub.

I oughta make up a spec sheet and a sketch, and send it to him, while I
am thinking about it....

Of course, if cost was no object, a non-folding slab cover dipped in
vinyl (like a pool float or gym workout pad) would probably be rather
waterproof, unless the skin got nicked. It'd take two grownups to get it
on and off, though.

--
aem sends...

I suspect that most of the water comes from the spa. A vapor proof layer between
the spa and the cover might make a huge difference, if anyone wants to try an
experiment.


"Steve Barker DLT" wrote in message
...
ours also lasted almost 3 years before it weighed about a ton. The Hot
Springs guy said it's normal. I don't know how the hell it gets in
though.....


s


"trax" wrote in message
...
I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!

On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:03:36 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:

I suspect that most of the water comes from the spa. A vapor proof layer between
the spa and the cover might make a huge difference, if anyone wants to try an
experiment.


There is a vapor proof layer already, Bob. The foam blocks in covers
are wrapped with a layer of poly. That poly breaks down over time and
then the foam starts to retain water. Some manufacturers use better
poly and heat seal it, while others just use a sheet of poly to wrap
it like a christmas present and hold it together with masking tape.
Beyond that, I discovered that some manufactures have an option for
double wrapping the foam with two layers of poly. It's not an
expensive option and it results in a cover that lasts a LOT longer.





"Steve Barker DLT" wrote in message
m...
ours also lasted almost 3 years before it weighed about a ton. The Hot
Springs guy said it's normal. I don't know how the hell it gets in
though.....


s


"trax" wrote in message
...
I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:14:26 -0500, wrote:

On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:03:36 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:

I suspect that most of the water comes from the spa. A vapor proof layer between
the spa and the cover might make a huge difference, if anyone wants to try an
experiment.

There is a vapor proof layer already, Bob. The foam blocks in covers
are wrapped with a layer of poly. That poly breaks down over time and
then the foam starts to retain water. Some manufacturers use better
poly and heat seal it, while others just use a sheet of poly to wrap
it like a christmas present and hold it together with masking tape.
Beyond that, I discovered that some manufactures have an option for
double wrapping the foam with two layers of poly. It's not an
expensive option and it results in a cover that lasts a LOT longer.

The poly breakdown happens faster if the cover is exposed to intense
sunlight all day long (as was the case with our hot tub, located on
the south side of the house). The new covers have not only the double
wrapping, but also a sloped shape to the poly to get the water to run
off faster, which also should help the cover last longer.

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:03:36 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:

I suspect that most of the water comes from the spa. A vapor proof layer
between
the spa and the cover might make a huge difference, if anyone wants to try an
experiment.


There is a vapor proof layer already, Bob. The foam blocks in covers
are wrapped with a layer of poly. That poly breaks down over time and
then the foam starts to retain water. Some manufacturers use better
poly and heat seal it, while others just use a sheet of poly to wrap
it like a christmas present and hold it together with masking tape.
Beyond that, I discovered that some manufactures have an option for
double wrapping the foam with two layers of poly. It's not an
expensive option and it results in a cover that lasts a LOT longer.


So adding your own replaceable layer should make a difference.

"Bob F" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:03:36 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:

I suspect that most of the water comes from the spa. A vapor proof layer
between
the spa and the cover might make a huge difference, if anyone wants to try an
experiment.


There is a vapor proof layer already, Bob. The foam blocks in covers
are wrapped with a layer of poly. That poly breaks down over time and
then the foam starts to retain water. Some manufacturers use better
poly and heat seal it, while others just use a sheet of poly to wrap
it like a christmas present and hold it together with masking tape.
Beyond that, I discovered that some manufactures have an option for
double wrapping the foam with two layers of poly. It's not an
expensive option and it results in a cover that lasts a LOT longer.


So adding your own replaceable layer should make a difference.


If the cover comes off the foam, removing it during the summer, remove the
deteriorateing waterproof layer and letting it dry out in the sun, then adding a
new waterproof layer might lengthen its life.

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 19:53:50 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:03:36 -0800, "Bob F"
wrote:

I suspect that most of the water comes from the spa. A vapor proof layer
between
the spa and the cover might make a huge difference, if anyone wants to try an
experiment.


There is a vapor proof layer already, Bob. The foam blocks in covers
are wrapped with a layer of poly. That poly breaks down over time and
then the foam starts to retain water. Some manufacturers use better
poly and heat seal it, while others just use a sheet of poly to wrap
it like a christmas present and hold it together with masking tape.
Beyond that, I discovered that some manufactures have an option for
double wrapping the foam with two layers of poly. It's not an
expensive option and it results in a cover that lasts a LOT longer.


So adding your own replaceable layer should make a difference.


Actually, I'm not sure that it would be nearly as effective. The
wrapping for the foam blocks is a large bag with only one opening,
which gets sealed. In my case, there is a bag over a bag, put on from
opposite directions and then sealed. A "layer" would not really do as
much to protect the blocks from absorbing moisture. It might help a
little, though. Double wrapped from the factory seems to be the cheap,
easy, and reliable fix for the problem. Not sure I'd want to have to
deal with a seperate sheet of something everytime I opened or closed
the spa. That sounds like an ongoing nuisance to me.

trax wrote:

I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!


I saw a tip for keeping water from collecting in a boat cover. Seems
like a simple solution - keep
and inflated beachball in the boat to support the cover. Got a
beachball in yer tub?

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:00:32 -0500, Norminn
you wrote:

trax wrote:

I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!


I saw a tip for keeping water from collecting in a boat cover. Seems
like a simple solution - keep
and inflated beachball in the boat to support the cover. Got a
beachball in yer tub?


Hot tub covers are stiff and at least 3" thick. There's nothing to
"hold up". Many of them are now made strong enough for people
to stand on them. A beach ball isn't going to do anything.

01dyna wrote:

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:00:32 -0500, Norminn
you wrote:



trax wrote:



I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this


from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need


to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!




I saw a tip for keeping water from collecting in a boat cover. Seems
like a simple solution - keep
and inflated beachball in the boat to support the cover. Got a
beachball in yer tub?




Hot tub covers are stiff and at least 3" thick. There's nothing to
"hold up". Many of them are now made strong enough for people
to stand on them. A beach ball isn't going to do anything.



Forgive my hot tub naivete ...... I thought they had tarp covers )

On Sun 23 Nov 2008 12:11:21p, Norminn told us...

01dyna wrote:

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:00:32 -0500, Norminn
you wrote:



trax wrote:



I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this


from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need


to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!




I saw a tip for keeping water from collecting in a boat cover. Seems
like a simple solution - keep
and inflated beachball in the boat to support the cover. Got a
beachball in yer tub?




Hot tub covers are stiff and at least 3" thick. There's nothing to
"hold up". Many of them are now made strong enough for people
to stand on them. A beach ball isn't going to do anything.



Forgive my hot tub naivete ...... I thought they had tarp covers )


If you have never had one, there’s no reason you would know. The covers
are constructed that way to provide insulation and hold the heat in, as
much as for simply covering the tub to prevent evaporation and debris.

--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Sunday, 11(XI)/23(XXIII)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Countdown till U.S. Thanksgiving Day
3dys 11hrs 5mins
************************************************** **********************
'Careful, we don't want to learn from this.' - Calvin
************************************************** **********************

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

On Sun 23 Nov 2008 12:11:21p, Norminn told us...



01dyna wrote:



On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:00:32 -0500, Norminn
you wrote:





trax wrote:





I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this




from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need




to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!






I saw a tip for keeping water from collecting in a boat cover. Seems
like a simple solution - keep
and inflated beachball in the boat to support the cover. Got a
beachball in yer tub?




Hot tub covers are stiff and at least 3" thick. There's nothing to
"hold up". Many of them are now made strong enough for people
to stand on them. A beach ball isn't going to do anything.





Forgive my hot tub naivete ...... I thought they had tarp covers )




If you have never had one, there’s no reason you would know. The covers
are constructed that way to provide insulation and hold the heat in, as
much as for simply covering the tub to prevent evaporation and debris.



And the cover holds water because...............it melts and sags?
Doesn't have a shape that naturally
lets water run off?

On Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:11:21 -0500, Norminn
you wrote:

snip

Hot tub covers are stiff and at least 3" thick. There's nothing to
"hold up". Many of them are now made strong enough for people
to stand on them. A beach ball isn't going to do anything.



Forgive my hot tub naivete ...... I thought they had tarp covers )


no biggie. Unfortunately, the life span is usually between 3-5 years
depending on it's initial quality, exposure to the elements etc.

They can be quite expensive as well. We just replaced ours and it was
$400 (7'x7'). The covers are thick so that they insulate the water
and prevent it from getting cold. Most hot tubs are used more
extensively in the winter so keeping a hot tub at 102-105F can be
quite expensive if you don't have a cover that keeps the heat in.

The problem arises when the condensation creeps into the insulating
foam. The foam, over time, then absorbs the water and when that
happens, it become one massive, heavy (think 100+lbs) PITA to
try and wrestle around. That's usually the primary reason that people
replace their covers. Not so much that it's *broken* as it is the
foam is no longer protected from the evaporating water.

I've heard of people actually unzipping the outside protective cover
and taking out the foam inserts and covering them with waterproof
sealants but I have no idea on their success doing so.

Norminn wrote:
trax wrote:

I have owned a hot tub for a few years and it has been my experience
that I am having to replace the hot tub cover because it gets full of
water and extremely heavy. Any suggestions on how to prevent this
from happening or on how to prolong the effect? It seems like we need
to replace the cover every 2 to 3 years.
Thanks!


I saw a tip for keeping water from collecting in a boat cover. Seems
like a simple solution - keep
and inflated beachball in the boat to support the cover. Got a
beachball in yer tub?

Not that kind of cover. Hot tubs usually have a slab-style cover made of
vinyl-covered foam, to keep the hot water hot longer, so you don't burn
up quite all the gas or electric heating from scratch every time you use
it.

--
aem sends...