Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: NittanyLion on February 09, 2007, 04:25:57 pm

Title: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: NittanyLion on February 09, 2007, 04:25:57 pm
I saw on another thread that many folks are experiencing the same phenomenon as me with steam escaping on the ends of the seam in the cover.  It's been like zeros to teens here in Pittsburgh recently and when I see the steam I can feel my wallet getting lighter if you know what I mean.  

I always try to shove the two cover halves together to squeeze the gap and limit the heat loss, but it doesn't do a very good job.  I actually tried running a ratcheting tie-down around the perimeter of the cover and snugging down the ratchet to pull the sides together, it seems like its working but its an added pain in the you know what.

Does anyone else have any tricks, and why don't the manufacturers come up with an extra strap at the seams or soemthing to help out us yankees who live in the frozen tundra?

Any thougyhts out there?
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: anne on February 09, 2007, 05:36:10 pm
My cover has a long piece of foam that runs along that seam, so that when it is closed, there is no gapping, and that foam piece is squished between the two halves of the cover. Could something like this be retrofitted?
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on February 09, 2007, 06:24:28 pm
The problem with your cover is that there's a rectangular gap between the two halves, and the manufacturer, using the cheapest method possible, fill it with an oval shaped pad.
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: glfahlc on February 09, 2007, 07:09:31 pm
don't know how well they work but the spa blankets seem to be a good idea to me...someone else will hopefully chime in here...
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Vinny on February 09, 2007, 09:23:09 pm
I have a blanket, a foam one and I do hope it contributes to the efficiency of the cover. My thought's that if the top of the water isn't exposed to the air above the blanket maybe it'll retain heat a little more (thinking convection currents)

I too have steam escaping from the center. Heck I have stalagmites (or is it stalagtite) forming on the deck from the dripping water.

I keep on saying this but when my cover goes, I'll be contacting Doc and getting one of his extreme covers. People here and on his board claim they're really nice. Hopefully no more escaping steam and cave formations on the deck.
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: xrdirthead on February 09, 2007, 11:45:19 pm
Quote

I too have steam escaping from the center. Heck I have stalagmites (or is it stalagtite) forming on the deck from the dripping water.

You are correct "stalagmites." "stalagtites" hang from the ceiling. Not that anyone cares but that brought back memories from 8th grade science class...thanks Mr Edwards.....
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: anne on February 09, 2007, 11:51:20 pm
Quote

You are correct "stalagmites." "stalagtites" hang from the ceiling. Not that anyone cares but that brought back memories from 8th grade science class...thanks Mr Edwards.....

I always remember the little mantra "a mite is a mountain" ::)
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Tyheethan on February 09, 2007, 11:55:07 pm
Quote

You are correct "stalagmites." "stalagtites" hang from the ceiling. Not that anyone cares but that brought back memories from 8th grade science class...thanks Mr Edwards.....


And Stalagtites have to hang on tight. :D
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on February 10, 2007, 12:59:45 am
stalagtites hang tight

stalagmites stand with might
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: glfahlc on February 10, 2007, 08:53:06 am
have we gone from a question about covers to rock formations....duh
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Chad on February 10, 2007, 09:44:37 am
Quote
have we gone from a question about covers to rock formations....duh
Have we gone from a question about covers to rock formations and then to posting useless comments......duh
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: loosenupspas on February 10, 2007, 11:30:45 am
sunstar makes a nice cover....with a heat sealing gasket across the hinge and on both sides baffles to retain moisture and prevent it from getting all stalagmited on your deck.......
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: loosenupspas on February 10, 2007, 11:33:01 am
Quote
stalagtites hang tight

stalagmites stand with might

this is why he is the doctor......i will pass this along to my son studying geology
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Chas on February 11, 2007, 12:11:31 am
It's such a burden knowing everything. I guess it's a blessing, and a curse.

It's stalactites and stalagmites.

Stalac and Stalag

 8-)
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Vinny on February 11, 2007, 12:18:35 am
Quote
It's such a burden knowing everything. I guess it's a blessing, and a curse.

It's stalactites and stalagmites.

Stalac and Stalag

 8-)

Hey, I didn't even know which one I had ... I've never been into Geology. Now the Therory of Relativity is cool!!! 8-)

But not to worry ... with global warming we won't have to worry about ice in a few short years! :( :'(
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Bonibelle on February 11, 2007, 02:19:52 pm
T..tites hang from the top...woops that doesn't look right :o
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Gomboman on February 12, 2007, 01:26:40 am
Quote
The problem with your cover is that there's a rectangular gap between the two halves, and the manufacturer, using the cheapest method possible, fill it with an oval shaped pad.

Doc, do you sell any insulation pieces that can be inserted to fill the gap for an air tight seal?
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: geekd on February 12, 2007, 01:53:17 am
I was just talking with my wife about stalactites today.  It came up on a game show. She asked "how do you know that word?".

It's one of many words & facts I leaned in jr. high (a million years ago) playing Dungeons & Dragons.  Great words like "puissance" (doesn't mean anything close to what it sounds like) and great facts like how Cronus's wife Rhea saved her son Zeus from being eaten by his father, and how to play craps.

I also quickly learned about intolerance and hysteria from my baptist grandmother who freaked out when she heard I was playing Dungeons & Dragons. :)  Heaven forbid some 12 year olds stay home, out of trouble and use their brains & imaginations on a Saturday night.

-geekd (living up to my handle)
Title: Re: Cover seams and heat loss
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on February 12, 2007, 08:30:10 am
Nope