So you need a new spa cover. Where do you start?

www.rickrobinsonhomes.com

If your spa cover has gotten so heavy that it takes two people and a fork lift to open, then it is time to replace that cover. Where do you start?

Spa covers are made from a Styrofoam core inside with a 2 or 3 mil vapor wrap around the core then reinforced at the fold points. Once the wrap is penetrated, it will then start to absorb moisture from underneath. This is why they get so heavy. It is just easier to replace it then try and dry it out and fix it. Any repair would only be temporary anyway.

They come in several colors to match what ever décor you have and they have upgrades available if you would like it to be thicker or support more weight. Most have a 3" to 2" taper, like the pitch of a roof so that the rain can easily run off the cover and not pool in the center. They typically have a radius corner edge, although there are plenty out there with 90 degree corners or cut corners as well.

When you are ready to order a new spa cover there are some measurements you will need to know to get a proper fit.

• measure the widest width of the spa from outside edge to outside edge of the acrylic. Do not measure the old cover as this could have warped or swollen from age or water absorption.
• measure the longest width from outside edge to outside edge of the acrylic just like before.
• measure the length of the skirt (or flap) material that hangs down from the cover edge, you want to be sure that all acrylic will be covered when in the closed position.

Now very important, if you have a radius corner on your cover you will need to supply this measurement as well. Take two rulers, place the rulers up against the side edge of the cover where the turn of the radius first starts to turn inward, place the other ruler on the opposite side of the same radius corner, note where the two rulers intersect...now measure back from where the radius corner starts to turn  to where the rulers intersect, this number is the arc of the radius. Watch this great video on how to measure a radius corner on a spa.

Lastly you will need to show which way the fold of your cover goes in relation to the topside controls. Does it open front to back? Some models will fold left to right like a book. Once you have all this information it will be easy to place your order for a new cover online and it could you a lot of money.

I hope this helped some of you. Until Next Time...

Why is my spa cover getting so heavy?

Why is my spa cover getting so heavy? I'll tell you why.


This topic goes along with one of my other blogs. "Think You Need A New Spa Cover".


If you need to go to the gym to be able to lift your cover there is a problem. Lets talk about why a spa cover gets so heavy.


The cover manufactures tell us that while their covers are very durable they are not meant for excessive snow loads, weight bearing etc. What does that mean??


Those of us in the cold snowy climates know what excessive snow can weigh. While an inch of snow is not a problem 6-12 inches would be. The snow will freeze and get even heavier. Spa cover's are only supported at the outer edges. Therefore there is no support in the middle of the cover. So you have to be diligent about not putting anything heavy on the cover.

The cover is there to keep the heat in and the rain and snow out, not to be a shelf for your flower pots, or a bed for your animals: When anything too heavy rests on the vinyl it can crack the inner core of the cover. This is a foam core with a thin protective wrap around it and when that wrap is penetrated(broken from weight) the exposed foam starts to absorb the moisture of the water from underneath or on top. As this absorption continues the foam gets heavier and heavier until you can't lift up the cover.




If you have a cover lifter installed on your spa, this can do major damage to the lifter. I have seen the wind blow open a waterlogged cover and snap the metal lifter arms and tear the spa skirting right off the spa.






So what have we learned so far? A spa cover has an average life span of 3-5 years. Do not use your spa cover as a storage spot and do not let snow build up on top. You can extend this life with just a little care and maintenance.


Every 6 months or so you should clean the vinyl and add a new coating of protectant to give your cover the protection from the sun that it needs. So if you notice that your cover is a lot heavier than it used to be, you probably should be thinking of replacing it before more damage is done.






Until next time......

Why Is My Spa Cover Getting So Heavy?



Rick the Spa Guy



Why is my spa cover getting so heavy? I'll tell you why.

This topic goes along with one of my other blogs. "Think You Need A New Spa Cover".

 If you need to go to the gym to be able to lift your cover there is a problem. Lets talk about why a spa cover gets so heavy.

The cover manufactures  tell us that while their covers are very durable they are not meant for excessive snow loads, weight bearing etc. What does that mean??

Those of us in the cold snowy climates know what excessive snow can weigh. While an inch of snow is not a problem 6-12 inches would be. The snow will freeze and get even heavier. Spa cover's are only supported at the outer edges. Therefore there is no support in the middle of the cover. So you have to be diligent about not putting anything heavy on the cover.

 The cover is there to keep the heat in and the rain and snow out, not to be a shelf for your flower pots, or a bed for your animals: When anything too heavy rests on the vinyl it can crack the inner core of the cover. This is a foam core with a thin protective wrap around it and when that wrap is penetrated(broken from weight) the exposed foam starts to absorb the moisture of the water from underneath or on top. As this absorption continues the foam gets heavier and heavier until you can't lift up the cover.

 If you have a cover lifter installed on your spa, this can do major damage to the lifter. I have seen the wind blow open a waterlogged cover and snap the metal lifter arms and tear the spa skirting right off the spa.

So what have we learned so far? A spa cover has an average life span of 3-5 years. Do not use your spa cover as a storage spot and do not let snow build up on top. You can extend this life with just a little care and maintenance.


Every 6 months or so you should clean the vinyl and add a new coating of protectant to give your cover the protection from the sun that it needs. So if you notice that your cover is a lot heavier than it used to be, you probably should be thinking of replacing it before more damage is done.

Until next time......