Choosing the Right Custom Covers for Harsh Water Park Environments to Protect Against Chlorine and UV
Equipment will eventually wear down—but what if you could get ahead of that damage and significantly extend equipment lifespans with custom protective covers?
In places like water parks, which operate in one of the most aggressive environments for equipment, there are a variety of key stressors that could be causing damage to your equipment, such as corrosion from chlorinated water, constant UV exposure, humidity, and mold. Equipment degradation isn’t just costly—it also leads to downtime and safety concerns.
Instead of allowing the elements to damage assets like digital monitors, outdoor signage, retail kiosks, and even attractions themselves, give your water park an operational advantage by adding custom water-resistant and weatherproof covers to your daily shutdown and seasonal shutdown timelines. Covers are not just an accessory—they are essential infrastructure that prevents damage and lengthens the life of your equipment.
Why Water parks Are a “Perfect Storm” for Equipment Damage
From chemical exposure to high-traffic use, there are a variety of ways that water park equipment can become damaged and require maintenance, such as:
Chemical Exposure: Chlorine & Treatment Agents
Chlorine causes corrosion of metals, fading, and material breakdown
Higher impact on electronics, kiosks, and ride components
UV Radiation & Heat
Sun exposure weakens components and plastics over time
UV exposure causes discoloration and brittleness
Moisture, Mold & Mildew
Constant humidity accelerates mold and mildew growth
Leads to hygiene concerns and material degradation over time
High Traffic + Operational Wear
Frequent use of equipment means more operational wear
Increased handling = higher risk of damage
Material Matters: Matching Covers to Harsh Conditions
Material considerations are one of the first things to keep in mind when selecting custom protective covers for water parks. Sewn covers are only as strong as their fabric. Choosing an inferior or inexpensive fabric that will not hold up to the elements will not provide the level of protection needed.
Rather than utilizing thin tarps or plastic sheeting to keep costs down, look for materials that are UV-resistant, which can prevent fading and structural breakdown in your equipment. Water-resistance is another important factor—this can protect against splashes, rain, and humidity while also preventing mold and mildew from degrading equipment.
At Equip, we select materials and engineer each custom cover based on the actual environment that the cover will be protecting against—not just guesswork.
Why Custom Covers Over One-Size-Fits-All Solutions?
Why not just purchase a one-size-fits-all solution? Generic covers come with a myriad of limitations. From poor fit, which leads to gaps and exposure of equipment, to faster wear and tear and limited material performance, one-size-fits-all covers and generic tarps don’t work in high-stakes, high-traffic environments like water parks.
Custom solutions, on the other hand, provide a precision fit, even for unique equipment shapes. They also can come with integrated features, such as lockable zippers, cutouts, and even mesh panels for cooling electronics. When you go with a custom cover over a generic solution, you also have the opportunity to brand—printing on custom covers couldn’t be easier.
The Equip Advantage:
With Equip Inc., each cover is designed around your exact equipment, environment, and operational needs. This ensures a precise fit, long-term durability, and seamless day-to-day use.
A Quick Checklist of Custom Cover Design Considerations for Water Park Operators
☐ Identify What Needs Protection
Pumps
Ride control panels
Electronic kiosks
Retail displays
Digital monitors
☐ Assess the Environment
Indoor vs. outdoor exposure
Level of UV, moisture, and chemical contact
☐ Consider Usage Frequency
Daily use vs. seasonal shutdown
How often covers will be installed and removed
☐ Evaluate Security Requirements
Do you need lockable covers or cable systems to prevent tampering or theft?
☐ Prioritize Ease of Use
Quick installation and removal for staff efficiency
Lightweight vs. heavy-duty balance
☐ Account for Fit & Accessibility
Custom sizing for unique shapes and configurations
Access panels or openings for cords, controls, or ventilation
Beyond Equipment Protection: Brand & Guest Experience
While durability and extending the lifespans of high-value equipment are important factors to consider before purchasing a custom cover, covers can be visible to guests, and appearances matter just as much as function. Custom covers can be branded and imprinted with logos or messages to inform guests, allowing water park and attractions operators to present a clean, uniform appearance across the park that is consistent with their brand.
Covers can also be used to improve guest experience, as they can reinforce professionalism and safety. For instance, in our work with Water World, Equip imprinted barricade covers to direct guests through entry lines—this allowed the park to make the guest experience smoother while directing guest flow in a safe manner.
Why Equip Inc. for Water Park Covers?
Not every custom cover manufacturer is built the same, and in a water park environment, that difference matters. Equip Inc. has spent over 25 years engineering and manufacturing custom fabric covers, bringing those years of expertise to high-traffic, high-demand settings like water parks, stadiums, malls, and other attractions. With everything designed, cut, and sewn in Colorado, you won’t have to deal with any outsourcing, leading to faster turnarounds, clearer communication, and a manufacturer who you can hold accountable from first measurement to final delivery.
Protect the Experience, Not Just the Equipment
Equipment will eventually show wear—there’s no avoiding it. But how much wear and how soon it happens are factors that are within your control. In a water park environment, the combination of chlorinated water, UV exposure, and humidity create aggressive conditions that causes equipment to degrade much faster than it would otherwise. In addition to shortening the lifespan of equipment, this degradation also drives up replacement costs, causes downtime, and can introduce safety risks to guests and employees.
Rather than waiting for monitors, signage, kiosks, and attractions to show damage, custom protective covers can save your park from the whims of the elements. The right covers do more than just protect equipment from weather—they also support smoother operations and guest experience, reinforce your branding, and extend the life of assets.
FAQs
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Generic covers or tarps come with many limitations, such as improper fit that may cause gaps and faster wear and tear due to cheaper materials. Custom covers provide a precise fit that helps to protect your equipment better than off-the-shelf solutions while also giving you the opportunity to brand as well as integrate helpful features, such as lockable zippers.
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For water parks, it’s important to utilize materials that can stand up to the aggressive environmental factors that are at play. Things like chlorine and UV exposure as well as constant humidity can degrade materials quickly, so choosing a UV-resistant fabric that’s also water resistant is the way to go.
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Yes, branding is easier than ever when you utilize custom covers. Because covers can be visible to guests, a branded cover can help to provide a clean and professional appearance that can reinforce your park’s identity.
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It couldn’t be easier! Custom covers are made to order, meaning that they can come with helpful features such as zippers and cutouts that make them a cinch to install.
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Once we have dimensions confirmed and a design in place, Equip’s lead times typically range from 2-4 weeks.
Start Your Custom Cover Project
Looking for custom covers for water parks, zoos, and other attractions? We specialize in custom commercial covers built for attractions.
📧 Email: info@equipinc.com 📞 Call: 719-599-0300
Request a quote today and keep your assets covered, protected, and ready for anything.
