How Long Do Covers Last?
- Thread starter bohms
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If your cover is exposed to the elements, UV from the sun, rain, etc., then it will not last as long as the spa.
Depending on the quality of the cover and your care, you will need to replace it after several years. :'(
Depending on the quality of the cover and your care, you will need to replace it after several years. :'(
drewstar
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Invest in some 303 protectant. Use a cover lifter. and vent when shocking. That's what I was told as being the keys to prolonging the life of the cover. The 303 is good stuff. I give my cover a good wipe down in the spring and and in the fall.
We have a hydraulic cover lifter and so far my husband is cleaning the cover once every week or two. He's being a little OC right now b/c it's new so I'm sure that kind of care will fade sooner or later. I'm not sure what he's using but I'll definitely tell him about 303. Thanks Drew.
lets
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I hate to tell you, most spa manufacturers cut costs to the absolute bone when it comes to the cover they provide with the spa. It tends to be an item that's rarely mentioned during a sales presentation, and almost no consumer asks about it or for that matter, can even tell the differences. We make, or have made, covers for a variety of spa manufacturers. For the most part, I'm not willing to put my name on the covers that they spec and purchase from us. Let me stress though, the covers we make for them (spa manufacturers) are to THEIR exact specifications and are not (usually) anywhere close in quality to the covers we offer directly to consumers.
Most original spa covers that come with a new spa have a life of about 2 years. A high quality cover should have a life of 5 to 8 years. Some good suggestions have already been made as to how you can care for and extend the life of any spa cover.
Most original spa covers that come with a new spa have a life of about 2 years. A high quality cover should have a life of 5 to 8 years. Some good suggestions have already been made as to how you can care for and extend the life of any spa cover.
I got 3 years out of mine. Cover is in fine shape- not faded or worn, but the foam weighs a ton- much heavier than it was new.
All waterlogged. I don't even want to think about what that does to the insulating value. New cover time once I scrape up the bucks.
Really it's a shame in a way that it's so impractical to replace just the foam. I hate the thought of tossing away all that perfectly good vinyl.
All waterlogged. I don't even want to think about what that does to the insulating value. New cover time once I scrape up the bucks.
Really it's a shame in a way that it's so impractical to replace just the foam. I hate the thought of tossing away all that perfectly good vinyl.
My cover is four and a half years old. I am starting to see the signs of cover failure...one side is slightly heavier. This means the foam core is starting to retain water. My best guess is that by this summer I will be replacing thereby giving me five years useful life. It is a cover made by Ideal for a Sundance spa. Cover Mate I cover lifter will be replaced at the same time.
There are some parts of a spa that will need to be periodically replaced.
In my experience, an original cover's life span is about 3-5 years. The foam inserts can be replaced if the vinyl itself is in good condition and the cover is just saturated. This is about half the cost of full replacement but usually it's in need of total replacement by 5 years anyway.
I've never seen one of Doc's covers but generally speaking, very few get more than 5-7 years out of a cover regardless of the quality.
Steve
I've never seen one of Doc's covers but generally speaking, very few get more than 5-7 years out of a cover regardless of the quality.
Steve
drewstar
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And this is an area I wished I had taken a closer look at when I bought my spa. I have the CM 1 Lifter as well, and I like it. However, when my cover on my tub goes, although I am so far happy with my Tiger River issued cover, I would like to consider new covers that offer the most insulating value. I wonder, if I were to go with a different cover, will I be limitied by the fact I have a CM1 lifter? Will I have to upgrade to a "stronger" lifter, or one with phematic assist? If so, I wonder if the new lifter will have a simillair bolting pattern, or will I have all these screw holes on the side of my cabinet from the lifter?
I'd wonder the same. I've checked things out, and think I'll order my replacement from Doc. He's got way better pricing than local, and he's actually around here to answer questions on things like cover lifters, etc....
I actually like the Covermate I. It works well in my situation. It stores the cover at a good height with ease of use. I don't want or need the height of the pneumatic type lifters. I believe it would be plenty strong to handle a cover with a higher insulating value...something I also plan to do. I also plan to add a "shelf" that the cover will set on when open to keep the stress off the hinge while open.
I was vey impressed by the cover that Arctic Spas was touting. The guy actually stood dead center on top of the cover and I didn't see it move! 
And yes, I did lift the cover up and inspect for any "trick bracing".
Forgive my lapse in memory but, if I recall correctly it was actually warrantied for several years.
Am I a sucker or, are those covers all they're (Arctic salesman) saying it is.
Tubless in Bristol (Formerly Skellman)
And yes, I did lift the cover up and inspect for any "trick bracing".
Forgive my lapse in memory but, if I recall correctly it was actually warrantied for several years.
Am I a sucker or, are those covers all they're (Arctic salesman) saying it is.
Tubless in Bristol (Formerly Skellman)
