Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: ZzTop on October 12, 2004, 04:56:09 am

Title: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover.
Post by: ZzTop on October 12, 2004, 04:56:09 am
HOW TO ATTACH A SPA BLANKET TO YOUR HOT TUB COVER.  

(Everything I know on how to protect and give added years of life to your expensive Spa Cover.)


I used strips of Velcro about 3/4 inch wide by3 inches long.  I spaced four of them out on the outside edge of the cover.  You may wish to use more depending on the length of the cover.  

The adhesive on the velcro does not stick to the vinyl cover very well so I used Clear Silicone.  Apply the hook side of the velcro on the cover, the rug side on the Spa blanket.
Remove the Spa Cover and lay the spa blanket over the tub.  I cut the blanket to the OUTSIDE dimensions of the tub. Then install the Spa Cover and Silicone the velcro strips onto the blanket and Cover while they are in place.

Let the silicone set and you are ready to go.

I have a cover lifter and when I flip the first half of the cover over, the Spa blanket goes with the cover.

BTW, I left the other end of the spa blanket loose, but you could do the same thing on the other end too,  but make sure you have left enough length so there is an allowance for the folding cover.   Whether you attach the other end or not  when cutting the Spa blanket be sure you leave extra length for allowance of the fold of the cover when it opens.   Approx 8 - 12 inches, depending on the thickness of the Spa Cover.

By using Velcro when it is time to replace the Spa Blanket, just apply velcro on the new replacement and away you go.

To seal and protect the top and underside of the vinyl and stiching of your Spa Cover it is a good idea to spray it with 303 Aerospace protectant (www.303.products.com).  Beyond being a sunscreen, it also helps prevent mildew growth.  Do Not use ArmorAll or Black Magic!

A Spa Blanket is Cheap Insurance, and it will save you money on keeping the heat in the tub, helps prevent the cover from absorbing water and getting heavy to lift, and keeps the Chlorine and chemical gases from attacking the underside of your Spa Cover.

I have found that if you do not attach the Spa Blanket to the Spa Cover it can be a real pain in the ass to handle and store.

I also use Steve Russell's Cover Saver  ( Email:  srsb@shaw.ca)
which takes the stress off the stitched Spa Cover Hinge when using a Cover Lifter.  It could also add years of service to the Cover.

A word about Cover Lifters.  A Good Idea!
If you do not use a cover lifter, over time your Spa Cover will get damaged in handling it on and off the spa and will suffer abrasions and cuts which will allow water to enter and water log the insulation.
A cover lifter affords an easy way to effortlessly move the cover on and off the spa and keeps it in good shape.

If your Spa is not in a Gazebo it is also a good idea to put a plastic tarp over the Top of the Spa Cover in Winter to protect it from rain, ice and snow.  Just pull it off along with the accumulated snow before opening.  It is just that easy!

Hope this helps,

Happy Hot Tubbing . . . .  

Regards,    Zz

Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: lynnette on October 12, 2004, 07:38:09 am
Thanks for the information about Spa Blankets.  I was just going to post questions about them.  We live in Michigan gets really cold here in the winter. I want to protect our cover and keep extra heat in our tub also.  We do have our Hot Tub (Tiger River Caspian) in a Gazebo but still want to purchase a spa blanket.  I have seen a few of them on different Spa Supplies web sites.  Which one do you recommend ?   Lynnette :)
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Warkovision on October 12, 2004, 11:40:45 am
Zz, Is there a particular spa blanket that you recommend?
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: newtotubbing on October 12, 2004, 11:49:44 am
ZZTop,

Which blanket to do you use on your spa?  I see many of them will not fit my HS Vista, being that it is 8'7" long.

Jonathan
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Warkovision on October 12, 2004, 12:24:51 pm
Yep Jonathan, I have the same tub.

Quote
ZZTop,

Which blanket to do you use on your spa? ÊI see many of them will not fit my HS Vista, being that it is 8'7" long.

Jonathan
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: tonyp on October 12, 2004, 01:00:00 pm
Shouldn't the blanket sit on the water?  What am I missing here?
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: newtotubbing on October 12, 2004, 03:37:42 pm
From ZZ's description, it appears that the blanket sits on the top rim or top edge of the spa and gets sandwiched between the spa and the spa cover.  Makes sense to me to do it that way.

Jonathan
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Shut_Down_Stranger on October 13, 2004, 12:21:04 am
did you leave the plastic covers on the lamp shades or get plastic covers for your furniture.? ;D

good idea, but the wife would not approve of such things, I am left with the 303

I have a sun sail (shade) over the tub,
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 13, 2004, 01:27:35 am
Quote
Thanks for the information about Spa Blankets.  I was just going to post questions about them.  We live in Michigan gets really cold here in the winter. I want to protect our cover and keep extra heat in our tub also.  We do have our Hot Tub (Tiger River Caspian) in a Gazebo but still want to purchase a spa blanket.  I have seen a few of them on different Spa Supplies web sites.  Which one do you recommend ?   Lynnette :)


Lynnette and Warkovision, their are too many sources for me to recommend a brand, however look for one with as heavy a mil as possible, as it will stand up better.

Remember we are using it as a sacrifical barrier which you can expect to replace every two years or so.


Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 13, 2004, 01:29:10 am
Quote

Lynnette and Warkovision, their are too many sources for me to recommend a brand, however look for one with as heavy a mil as possible, as it will stand up better.

Remember we are using it as a sacrifical barrier which you can expect to replace every two years or so.

Regards Zz



Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 13, 2004, 01:32:32 am
Quote
Shouldn't the blanket sit on the water?  What am I missing here?


The Spa blanket actually does sit or float on the water.  Most suppliers suggest cutting the spa blanket to fit on the inside of the spa.

I do not heed this advice as one of my reasons for using it is as a barrier from the chemicals and gasses coming off the water.

I have not seen any appreciatable heat loss.

Regards, Zz
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 13, 2004, 01:37:06 am
Quote
ZZTop,

Which blanket to do you use on your spa?  I see many of them will not fit my HS Vista, being that it is 8'7" long.

Jonathan


Spa blanket material is also sold for swimming pools.

I was able to find a long roll intended for a swimming pool at a Sears outlet store which I paid $50.00 cdn.   I was able to custom cut it into six usable spa blankets.

I gave some away to my friends for their hot tubs.

Regards Zz
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 13, 2004, 01:48:04 am
Quote
did you leave the plastic covers on the lamp shades or get plastic covers for your furniture.? ;D

good idea, but the wife would not approve of such things, I am left with the 303

I have a sun sail (shade) over the tub,



ha ha ha

No I do not have plastic covered car seats but now that you have mentioned it . . . . . . . .

Your sun sail (shade) should help the top, but what is protecting the underside?

If you choose to use a spa blanket it is very akward to handle and store.

By attaching it as I have suggested it is a very elegant and unobtrusive way to use it.

Interestly Most Spa Covers have a very short warranty, no where near as long as the tub shell or the hardware and electrical components.  Most of us find ourselves replacing them within three to five years at a cost of $500 and up Cdn.

It is unfortunate that Spa Manufactures have not found materials that can give better longevity and service at a reasonable price.   Maybe some day.

Boaters are up against similar problems with vinyl canvass.  

Regards Zz
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: KC-SWO on October 13, 2004, 02:43:32 pm
Would it have to be a spa blanket??

Would siliconing a plastic sheet to the bottom of both
halves of the cover have mostly the same effect?
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on October 13, 2004, 03:11:46 pm
Quote
Would siliconing a plastic sheet to the bottom of both
halves of the cover have mostly the same effect?


Right off the bat, this would seal up the drain(s) in the bottom of the cover preventing condensation and rain water from being able to run out.... not something you really want to do...

(uno mas)
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 13, 2004, 04:06:33 pm
Quote
Would it have to be a spa blanket??

Would siliconing a plastic sheet to the bottom of both
halves of the cover have mostly the same effect?



Dr Spa is correct and more over a plastic sheet will not give you any insulating benefit, the major reason for using a Spa Blanket.

If you have never seen a spa blanket it is made up of thousands of plastic encapsulated air bubbles, like packing material, which gives it it's insulating abilities.

Regards, Zz
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: HotTubMan on October 14, 2004, 01:22:38 pm
Quote


Dr Spa is correct and more over a plastic sheet will not give you any insulating benefit, the major reason for using a Spa Blanket.

If you have never seen a spa blanket it is made up of thousands of plastic encapsulated air bubbles, like packing material, which gives it it's insulating abilities.

Regards, Zz


Spa Blanket = Solar Blanket
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: KC-SWO on October 14, 2004, 01:43:46 pm
Bubblewrap!!!

I have lots of that!!
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Brewman on October 15, 2004, 07:07:23 pm
Sure, but you'd probably just sit there and pop it as you soaked!
Brewman
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 16, 2004, 07:13:40 pm
Ozination and your Hot Tub Cover

IMHO, Beachcomber is not bullish on Ozination.  I believe they are not convinced of Ozinator safety and cost effectiveness.  Beachcomber offers ozination mainly because of Market pressure.  They seem to think that their Purezyme, enzyme additive, together with a chlorine or bromine regimen works just as well without any possible health hazards.

On my tub, 550x the mixing tube is just 6 feet long,  in other designs I have seen mixing tubes as long as 25 feet.

Ozination works best when used in conjuction with a 24/7 dedicated circulating pump, (Beachcomber calls theirs a Hush pump), as the ozination is exposed to the water continuously, 24 hours a day.

Ozination does help to reduce the TDS, Total Disolved Solids, by not having to use as much chemicals to maintain water quality.  But it should not be a major factor in deciding whether to purchase Ozination or not.  Water Quality is just as good in Spas that do not use Ozination as long as the manufactures water maintenance directions are followed..  Most new Hot Tubs are sold as "Ozone Ready", and  an Ozinator can be added later if you wish , perhaps when better systems are developed and proven of greater benefit.
In other words you may have to change your water slightly more often if you are not using Ozination. (Depending on bathing load, the average period being three months).

Yes Ozone gas as well as chlorine can have a deleterious effect on your Hot Tub Cover.  Using a Spa Blanket can help decrease this.  
On everything I have read on Ozination, in theory it appears to be a good idea, however there is no definitive proof (that I can find), on how effective it really is in Hot Tub applications.  You can buy a lot of chemicals for the price of an ozinator.

An Ozinatior is expensive to buy and to maintain.

With all that said, I do have Ozination on my Hot Tub.  I expect to have to replace it after 2 years of Service at a cost of $150 - 200 cdn.

There have been some new developments in Ozination recently.  Marquis is using a plasma UV system (made by Balboa), which appears to have a long life cycle (Up to 7 years).  

It is early in the development cycle and we will have to wait and see if Ozination is the right system for Spas in the long term.

Marketing seems to drive the popularity of Ozination, but only in the long term are we going to learn if it is truly beneficial.

Regarding Spa Pillows.  I am not an advocate for them as they tend to be expensive, high maintenance items which are subject to degradation from chemicals in the water as well as ozone.  If you check the warranties you will find they have a very short warranty period and cost from $25 to $50 each to replace.  I am for easy maintenance and low cost upkeep.  Beachcomber and Marquis are two Manufactures who were wise in not using Pillows.

Regards Zz

Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: Jordy on October 16, 2004, 09:46:39 pm
Hi ZZ,
Just two quick points about your last post:
1.) You won't have to replace your ozonator after 2 years of service, you simply have to purchase a replacement chip. This should cost you about $40. You will easily save much more than that in reduced chemical purchases over the next 2 years.
2.) The materials used in headrests today (Jacuzzi, HotSpring, and others) is much more durable than the materials used in the past and say what you will, many people agree that it makes for a more comfortable, relaxing hot tub experience.
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: rocket on October 16, 2004, 09:51:25 pm
Mr. Top has some good points on ozone.  As a Marquis dealer, I like what Marquis has done in an effort to use the ozone in their contact chamber.   U.L. has rated this system as a zero gas off system.  No gas off creating maximum safety for the user and no deterioration of covers.

I don't think that there is a system out there that would
produce enough ozone gas to be harmful to people.  However, it sure has a bad effect on covers and pillows.

This has been a fun website to be able to participate in.  I do see most of the posting as infomative, honest and helpful.

Rocket
Title: Re: How to Preserve and Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Post by: ZzTop on October 17, 2004, 12:27:05 am
Quote
Hi ZZ,
Just two quick points about your last post:
1.) You won't have to replace your ozonator after 2 years of service, you simply have to purchase a replacement chip. This should cost you about $40. You will easily save much more than that in reduced chemical purchases over the next 2 years.
2.) The materials used in headrests today (Jacuzzi, HotSpring, and others) is much more durable than the materials used in the past and say what you will, many people agree that it makes for a more comfortable, relaxing hot tub experience.


Jordy the type of Ozinator I am using uses an UV Tube which useful life is about 2 years.  I could replace the tube however the cost is almost as much as a new unit.
CD Chips have there problems too.  They require servicing ie cleaning, and chip replacement which can run $75.00 or more on a yearly basis.

Regarding headrests it is a personal thing, so I plead no contest.

Happy Hot Tubbing


Regards, Zz