8 FAQ
* How do I measure my spa for a new cover?MEASURING FOR A WELL-FITTING SPA COVER
SUBMIT all orders on the supplied order form.
MEASURE THE SPA! NOT THE ORIGINAL SPA COVER!!!Spa covers can warp, stretch, shrink, etc over time and cannot be relied upon to provide accurate measurements.
IT HAS TO BE BIG ENOUGH TO FIT! A spa cover that is slightly oversize will function effectively. A spa cover that is slightly undersize will not. Better to err on the OVERsize side of caution!
Most spa owners choose to cover only the acrylic shell. In this instance, measure from the outside of the acrylic shell at the widest point of the "lip" (many lips are curved and the spa "'skirt" must be wide enough to sit completely over the lip).
Occasionally, spa owners would like to cover both the shell and the wood lip. If so, the measurement should be taken from the outside of the wood skirt. And make sure to advise us that we are making it to cover the wood skirt!)
The "Acrylic Shell Size" will be used to determine the size of the finished spa cover. The "Lip Height" will be used to determine the cover's "Skirt" length.
SPECIFY "Hinge" direction. Which way will the cover fold? The dotted lines found in the diagrams on our order sheet indicate the fold direction. Make sure to take this into account when entering the spa's "A" and "B" dimensions.
SOME covers have ROUNDED CORNERS. Be sure to measure all corners to determine if they are ALL the same size! (Note: A slightly smaller radius will slightly over hang the spa while a larger radius will not cover the spa completely). One method of determining a spa's corner radius is to use a "carpenter's framing square". Hold it up against the corner of the spa as you see in the diagram below. The radius of the corner is the distance between "A" and "'B".
Alternatively, it is acceptable to place a sheet of white 8 x 11 paper over top of the corner, draw a line (tracing) of the corner, and fax it along with the order sheet.
SOME covers have CUT CORNERS. The diagram below shows the measurement required for the cut corner. Be sure to measure all corners and that they are ALL the same size. (Note: A slightly smaller cut-corner will cause the cover to slightly over hang the spa while a larger cut will not cover the spa completely):
* No cover manufacturer that I've contacted has the cover I want in stock! Why is that?
Did you know that there are many hundreds - perhaps THOUSANDS - of different spa makes, models, and variations of models in existence today?! Not only are tubs all different shapes and sizes - but spa owners like yourself also want specific colours and styles for their covers. Factored together, you can see that it would be impossible to stock pre-constructed covers for all the different tubs out there. Can you picture the warehouse room required to store them?
That is why we, the cover manufacturers, custom-build your cover to the exact dimensions you provide...and in the colour and style you select. Here at ALPINE SPA COVERS, we pride ourselves on having the fastest custom service in the business!
* My spa came with my house... I don't know the make or model and I don't know how to contact the original owners... Is there any way I can find this information out?
Many tubs are constructed with what is referred to as a "Wharnock-Hersey" label. It can be found at or near the "spa pack" (the spa's equipment center, where you'll find the pump, heater, etc). It might even be on the "door" of the skirt. On the label you should find the manufacturer's name, and often the model number as well.
My cover isn't old, yet the liner on the underside is bleaching out. What's happenning?
Sounds like you are seeing some chemical damage. Are you using chlorine or bromine as a sanitizer? It may surprise you to note that chlorine "gasses off" at 97 degrees, whereas bromine is stable at much higher temperatures. So, you might have a lot of your sanitizer burning off, costing you money in wasted chemical AND shorter cover life. Bromine is the recommended sanitizer for hot tubs.
Another thing to note: Make sure to leave your cover off the tub for several hours after "shocking" the water (gassing off is highest after shocking).
Below is an example of the damage chemicals (and ozone!) can cause to a cover...Yes, those are pictures of a spa cover...at least what is left of one after overexposure to chemicals and/or harmful ozone (This particular cover is only one year old)!