Hi Pros,
I am going to order a new hot tub cover and the cover I have now is very heavy and waterlogged. I was thinking that I could order a cover lifter and it would help me to lift the cover the next time it gets waterlogged and spare my back pain. Would you recommend a cover lifter for this? If so, what kind?
Harold from Atlanta, Georgia
Hi Harold,
Good question! The first point The Pros would make is to suggest an initial focus on getting a cover that will not easily water log, so you can extend the life of the cover. A cover lifter is definitely a great purchase to save you from back pain when lifting the hot tub cover on and off. To The Pros way of thinking, anything that makes it easier to use your hot tub – which means you will get in more often – is well worth it.
When a cover gets waterlogged you need to replace it without delay. A waterlogged cover actually pulls heat out of the hot tub and will increase your heating costs. A waterlogged cover will also begin to grow bacteria and can be quite unhealthy. To answer your specific question, you should not use a cover lifter as an aide to help you lift a waterlogged cover. We have heard many times about both the lifter and the cover breaking in this situation.
For more information, search above for “How to keep my cover from getting waterlogged? “ to locate our post on water logging and how to prevent it. The typical new cover weighs approximately 45 pounds.
A cover lifter is very nice to have and will also help with the storage of the cover as well. Look for one that is telescopic and can be easily mounted and adjusted. The cover lifters actually extend the life of most hot tub covers because they reduce the wear and tear from taking the cover off and dragging it around.
Happy Tubbing!
Ethel Elliott