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Safe and Responsible Disposal of Your Old Hot Tub Cover

Posted on January 13, 2012 by jessica

creative ways to use old covers

So you’ve found the perfect new hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) for your hot tub. You old cover is heavy and waterlogged, and ready for the dump. But is a landfill the best way to dispose of it? There may be a better way.

First, can you reuse your old hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/)?

Back in September we covered some creative ways to reuse your old hot tub cover. We suggested using it to transport something across water, or to cut a boogie board out of it, or even to reuse the foam as insulation somewhere else. Reusing it is definitely more environmentally friendly than throwing it away, and if you can find a new use for it you’ll be saving money you would have spent on something else.

If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, or have no reason to reuse it, can you recycle it?

Yes, you absolutely can recycle parts of it, if you take it apart and separate the different materials. You can cut the seam with a box cutter, open the zippers, and pull out the foam insulation and metal stiffeners. Cut up the vinyl and any plastic vapour barrier (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/our-spa-covers NULL.html) that still exists between the vinyl and the foam (vapour barrier (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/our-spa-covers NULL.html) tends to break down over time). Cut the foam into smaller pieces and bag it. The metal pieces can be taken to a metal recycling facility and usually recycled for free (metal recycling is usually available at or near your local landfill. This vinyl and foam may be able to be recycled in your area, or it may need to go in the garbage bin.

Check with your municipality for local landfill information and recycling initiatives.

If you’re unable to reuse or recycle a hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) for any reason, should you just throw it out?

As with most items these days, it is usually preferable if you can find a way to reuse it or recycle it in some fashion. If this is not possible, your local landfill will likely accept it as waste material.

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Hot Tub Winterizing

Posted on September 21, 2011 by jessica

Winterizing Cover Cap

The air is getting colder, and in a few months, winter will be here again (but don’t worry, you’ll have your hot tub to keep you warm!). While hot tubbing in the winter is wonderful, it’s important to keep a few tips in mind, so Mother Nature doesn’t interfere with your fun.

Firstly, if you prefer to retreat inside for the winter, and plan to drain your hot tub, it’s important to ensure that this process is done properly. Residual water left in the hot tub and pipes can freeze and cause severe damage to your hot tub, which will be expensive to repair come spring.

If you plan on keeping your hot tub in use to keep the chill away throughout the winter, then you don’t have to worry about this problem. However, you should check your owner’s manual and ensure that the settings are properly chosen to avoid possible freezing or unnecessary energy costs.

Using your hot tub jets in the winter will greatly increase energy costs, because they pull cold air into the water. Consider not using them in the winter, or at least ensure that they are off when the hot tub is not in use.
Ensure you have a high-quality and well maintained hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/). An old or poor-quality cover can lose you a great deal of money in energy costs, or could even collapse when covered with snow! Consider purchasing a “cover cap (https://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/accessories/other-accessories/cover-caps NULL.html)” to protect your cover from the elements, and extend its life-span.

It is also important to think about hazards that snow and ice can cause in terms of entering and exiting your hot tub. This is especially important if children or seniors are using the hot tub. Ensure the area around your hot tub is regularly shovelled, and remove any dangerous ice build-up on paths or decks. If you have steps leading up to your hot tub, installing a hand rail is a sensible decision. A slip or fall could ruin your winter!

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Your Hot Tub Covered by High-tech

Posted on March 30, 2011 by david

In the days of the cavemen, everything was exactly as it appeared. A stick was just a stick. No micro-thin lamination designed to emit or attract energy, sound, waves, moisture, microbes, rays or anything else. No chemicals to alter durability or absorption or sustainability or pliability or viscosity or some other ability or ity or tion. No compounds, hybrids, alloys, mixtures, blends or fusions.  No glue, staples, bolts, zippers, hooks, Velcro, screws or fasteners.

In the 21st century everything is high-tech. Yes, even your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/). You might just assume, without thinking, that a hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) is some form of plywood, wrapped in a synthetic material like plastic or rubber or vinyl for protection. Give it a moment’s thought, however, and I am sure you will realize that it is so much more.


(https://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/images/HTCC-Infographic_lg NULL.jpg)

Click on graphic to enlarge » (https://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/images/HTCC-Infographic_lg NULL.jpg)

anatomy of a hot tub cover (https://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/images/HTCC-Infographic_lg NULL.jpg)

On the Outside…

The diagram above shows a cut-away of a hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/). As you can see, the outside wrapping is indeed vinyl, but it is much more than just a “wrapping”.

The surface itself is treated to resist corrosion from UV rays and to resist mildew.

The fold that makes it easy to remove and replace has double reinforced hinges, so as to remain durable even with heavy use of your hot tub.

The tailored skirt around the edges provides extra prevention against snow drifting in and heat leaking out.

Because the cover is not shrink-wrapped, there is stitching. This diagram shows the double-stitched threading – and once again, notice how high-tech even this detail is. Then there is the zipper. And the gasket. And the tie-down straps. And the padded handles.

On the Inside.

But the magic really happens inside. The foam core is the main portion, and you can imagine the technology that goes into creating the foam and shaping it. The shaping itself is clever; a tapered hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/cover_foam_cores NULL.php) helps ensure that rain, ice, hail and snow slide off the cover, rather than accumulating on top and weighing it down.

The reinforcements are made from high quality aluminum. They strengthen the center and won’t rust in what is, after all, the most humid environment around your home. Aluminum, like the foam itself, is fairly light, making it easier for you to lift off the hot tub and back on when you are done.

The foam and its reinforcements are then wrapped and heat-sealed in a polystyrene layer to keep moisture out of the core.

Outside of all this, but inside the external layer, is another layer – an industrial grade double-ply liner that serves as both another moisture protection and also a mildew inhibitor.

You would think with all these layers and moisture barriers and defences, that there is no way moisture could ever get in. However, there is a back-up plan. See the hole in the middle of the double-ply liner – the “drain grommet”? If any moisture does somehow get past the layers of protection, this mechanism filters it out, keeping the inside of your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) dry.

We’ve come a long way from the days of cavemen wielding sticks. I wonder what a caveman would think if he saw today’s hot tub covers? Hmmm. Probably the same thing you and I do – ignore the technology and just hop on into the spa.

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Dos and Don’ts of Hot Tub Cover Care

Posted on January 14, 2011 by david

Have you ever thought about preserving the value in not just your hot tub, but also its cover? It goes without saying that a properly maintained hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) will last much longer than one that is poorly maintained. The biggest benefit of properly caring for your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) is saving you money on repairs and maintenance. Although they may not be difficult to maintain, there are a few Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to caring for hot tub covers.

Continue reading “Dos and Don’ts of Hot Tub Cover Care” »

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Caring For Your Hot Tub Cover

Posted on October 10, 2010 by jessica

It is important to take proper care of your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) as poorly cared for covers will begin to crack and fade over time causing damage to your hot tub and potential injury to your family. Not only are hot tub covers essential for protecting the inner workings of your hot tub by keeping dirt and debris out of the water, they will also help to protect your children and pets from falling in and harming themselves.

The following 7 tips will help you to extend the life of your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/):

#1  Cleaning – it is very important to regularly clean your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/). In order to protect the vinyl from wear do not use any detergent based soaps, alcohol products, dishwashing soaps, or any cleaning products containing bleach. It is best to use the products recommend by the hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) manufacturer or simply use water and some elbow grease.

#2  Inspection – periodically inspect the cover for any signs of wear or damage. Small cuts or holes in the vinyl will damage the inner foam core by allowing moisture to build up, which will in turn cause mold growth. You can simply repair the inner plastic layer by using clear packing tape to cover the holes and you may even want to purchase a vinyl repair kit to patch up any cuts or holes in the outer vinyl layer.

#3  Preventing mold – Exposed to the elements, hot tub covers are susceptible to mold growth. Most quality covers are already treated with a anti-mold agent, however you may need to apply additional protection depending upon your environment. Consult your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/) manufacturer for specific products to use on your hot tub cover (http://www NULL.hottubcoverscanada NULL.ca/).

Continue reading “Caring For Your Hot Tub Cover” »

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