Hi Pros,
Indentation in top of spa cover from foam melting
Have you ever had this question before? Do hot tub covers melt?
Yes, it seems strange even as I write this but it sure seems my cover has melted. See my picture.
Is this even possible?
Mike M. from Napa Valley California
Hi Mike,
Yes, The Pros have had this question before and it does happen from time to time. Your picture may be the perfect picture for The Pros to perform a forensic review, CSI style!
First, lets review how the foam cores inside hottub covers are manufactured. Small beads are poured into a form. Then, the form is closed and steam is jetted through the form. The steam causes the beads to swell and expand to completely fill the form. Once the steam and heat is stopped, the foam cools and stays permanently in the shape of the form.
Ring shaped melt, most likely from an inflatable tube
In the right conditions of sun and heat, laying something on top of the spa cover will cause the internal foam core to become hot enough for the foam beads to then deform. Without a form to hold the shape, melting can disfigure the foam core as your photograph plainly shows.
As your picture also shows a pool in the background, The Pros would venture to guess that an inflatable round tube of some type was laid on top of the cover, to cause this. Sadly, this damage would not be covered by any manufacturer warranty, as they will correctly determine this to be abuse.
In short, do NOT place anything on top of the spa lid, and leave it there for any extended period, or this damage can occur. The Pros have even seen pictures showing foam melt caused by a towel laid across the hot tub cover to dry in the sun!
Happy Tubbing!
Ethel Elliott
