A hot tub cover is a crucial part of the hot tub. The cover keeps the water warm and shields it from debris when not used. An excellent cover needs to be strong and long-lasting.
Many hot tub owners struggle with the wear and tear on the hot tub cover now or in the future. Hot tub coverings are susceptible to damage due to the sun’s intense rays and ongoing exposure to water.
Thankfully, you don’t have to buy a brand-new hot tub cover in case your old one gets broken. This article will teach you how to repair hot tub covers with eight tips, so read until the end.
8 Tips To Repair Hot Tub Covers
You can fix your hot tub covers if the damages are not severe, like small holes or a seam rip. However, it may not be worth it if the damage is extensive, and you’ll just be wasting your time, effort, and money.
Even so, you can try these eight tips to repair hot tub covers with a waterlogged hot tub cover problem.
1. Take The Hot Tub Cover Off
The hot tub’s cover needs to be taken off first. To simplify the operation, you must remove it and place it on the ground. It is better to accomplish this with two persons, especially if you don’t have a hot tub cover lifter and the hot tub cover has become fairly heavy and saturated.
Without a hot tub cover lifter, you will need another person on every side of the spa cover to safely pull it off.
2. Unzip The Hot Tub Cover’s Sides
Unzip both edges of the hot tub cover while it is on the ground. It shouldn’t be difficult to do if the cover is relatively fresh, but if it’s been on your hot tub for some time and the zips haven’t been relocated, things could get a little tricky. The metal components of the hot tub cover are frequently attacked and may begin to rust due to the barrage of moisture and chemical vapors it receives.
The most crucial thing is avoiding forcefully opening a fast-acting, rusted zipper. You can try washing the zipper with an old brush and some water, applying beeswax if you can get it partially open, using baking soda, or using a zipper lubricant.
3. Remove The Foams On Each Side
After completely undoing the zipper, you can extract the foam cores of hot tubs from within. You won’t be able to pull these out of the cover because they are a tight fit, so it is best to ask for help. To avoid overstretching the vinyl cover and running the risk of breaking or ruining it, carefully remove each foam core one at a time while jiggling it around.
Another thing to watch out for is tearing the vapor barrier that surrounds the foam core. You run the risk of allowing moisture into the core and causing it to get waterlogged when you damage the vapor barrier. So take your time and remove the foam cores from the vinyl covering as gently as possible.
4. Examine The Foam Cores
You will need to dry out the core or buy a new one if the vapor barrier is destroyed and you can tell it is filled with water. A new foam core can also be the best option if the vapor barrier is seriously damaged in numerous places and cannot be easily repaired. Examine the cores to check if any are broken, severely damaged, or simply sagging from their weight.
5. Dry the foam core
Ideally, the foam core of hot tubs would be dry and won’t require any additional attention, but if you notice that it is wet, it would be worthwhile to try to dry it out on a sunny day. But keep in mind that once a core begins absorbing moisture, it is very challenging to remove all of it, and it will absorb water again and more quickly than a new core. It would be worthwhile to air it as a temporary solution to save money in the near run.
It is easy to dry the core; all you need to do is leave it in the sun, perhaps for a few days, to let the water drain. As this will let the air move around and enable more consistent drying, placing the core on wood planks or bricks is a great idea.
6. Fix The Vapour Barrier
Covering the entire foam core with a waterproof plastic coating only takes a few minutes if your plastic vapour barrier has to be repaired or replaced. The primary issue with this is that when you add too much plastic covering, the foam core fits into the vinyl covering too tightly, and it can be difficult to get it back in. Maintain the new plastic’s seal around the foam core as tightly as possible, and patch any small tears with waterproof tape.
7. Check The Vinyl Of The Hot Tub Cover.
Examining the vinyl cover while you have the hot tub cover disassembled is a good idea. The vinyl is likely in good shape if the core is dry and not soggy. However, you must examine the vinyl carefully if there is a moisture issue inside the core since there is probably a ripped or weak region letting moisture in.
8. Change The Foam Cores
It’s time to re-insert the foam cores into the vinyl cover if they are dry. The trick is to use foam inserts the other way around, with the sagging portion facing upward rather than downward. They may sag down once again over time, but for the time being, this will take care of the issue and leave you with a lovely convex hot tub lid that will let the water drain.
How To Fix Other Hot Tub Cover Issues
Additionally, below are some quick fixes you can do to some hot tub cover issues that may or may not still work with the tips above.
Fixing Rips And Tears In Hot Tub Cover
Animals, falling tree limbs or icicles from high winds, and many other things can tear the outer vinyl cover of spa covers. You must promptly repair your hot tub cover, regardless of what tore it. Damage to a hot tub cover increases when it is left torn.
Inspect the vapor barrier under it as soon as you find a tear in the hot tub covers. If it is torn, tape it up to stop water from seeping into the foam. After that, you can buy a vinyl repair kit or vinyl repair patch to fix the cover’s tear. It is not advised to use tape to fix hot tub covers since it frequently fails to adhere to the cover and doesn’t hold up well outside, particularly in the winter.
Fixing Broken Clips In Hot Tub Cover
The covering lock clips are the most crucial parts of every hot tub cover. Antique hot tub coverings are among the least utilized and most frequently broken components.
The locking clips boost the energy consumption of the cover by drawing down on the edges, producing a tighter seal that retains more heat in the hot tub, and keeping unauthorized individuals out of your hot tub.
Luckily, these hot tub cover clips are standard among the different manufacturers of covers, and new cover clips are readily available. You may also purchase hurricane straps that fit over the cover if you can’t find clips that match your cover.
Fixing Cracked Foam Core In A Hot Tub Cover
Pets or children walking on the top of the tub cover can provide an added weight, which can cause the cover to droop or the foam core to fracture. Repairing the old foam core won’t fix the problem in some situations. This might need to be changed with a new cover.
To ensure that it matches the outer coat and the hot tub, you must determine the dimensions of the old core and purchase a new foam core in that same size. Often, it is difficult and expensive to replace the foam core. If the foam core is cracked, you should acquire a replacement hot tub cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions to guide you in repairing a hot tub cover.
Can You Use Flex Seal On Hot Tub Cover?
Hot tubs are technically compatible with Flex Seal. However, there are a few points to consider regarding its applicability. It should only be viewed as a temporary fix. As powerful and efficient as Flex Seal is, it does not work like magic.
What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Hot Tub Cover?
A hot tub cover should typically be changed every 5-7 years. Even though certain covers are made to last longer than others, any item exposed to the outdoors will surely show signs of wear.
How can I keep the cover on my hot tub from sagging?
Purchase a high-quality hot tub cover. High-quality covers will not only be stronger but also significantly more thermally efficient. A decent hot tub cover will likely not sag as quickly because it will have much superior bracing.
Can I Replace The Foam In My Hot Tub Cover?
You’ll have to patch the foam if the rip in the hot tub cover has gone through both the vinyl liner and the foam. Just buy some foam that can be cut to the right size for the hole. Apply a patch on both edges of the foam after inserting it into the hole.
Can I Use Armor All On The Lid Of My Hot tub?
Using Armor All on a hot tub cover with only a vinyl top is not advised. It will cause the vinyl top to dry out and discolor, which will eventually cause the tub cover to crack. You can use additional protectants to keep the vinyl top of the hot tub cover shiny and strong.
Use a high-quality vinyl protector that doesn’t include petroleum or rubbing alcohol.
Conclusion
Your hot tub cover protects your hot tub water against the outside elements. It keeps your hot tub clean, and it is also a protective barrier so that your children cannot go to the hot tub unsupervised. Thus, any damage to the hot tub cover should be fixed as soon as possible. While it is prone to many issues, you can easily fix them using the above solutions. Now you can enjoy your hot tub for many years!
