Quick verdict
An inflatable PVC disc, 30 inches across and 8 inches high when full, with an electric pump, that sits under a patio furniture, grill or hot tub cover to raise the centre so rain and snowmelt run off instead of pooling. A puddle on a cover is what stretches, stains and eventually tears it, and what freezes into a block in winter. The bag inflates in a minute, adjusts to the cover size by how much air goes in, and deflates flat for summer storage.
Strengths
- Lifts a sagging cover so water runs off
- Adjustable height by inflation level
- Electric pump included
- Thirty inch disc spreads the load on the cover
- Deflates flat for storage
Weaknesses
- PVC can puncture on sharp furniture edges; pad the contact
- Large covers may need two bags
- Pump needs mains power or a charged battery
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
The Puddle That Ruins Covers
A patio cover over a table and chairs sags in the middle, rain collects, and the puddle stretches the fabric, grows algae and freezes into a slab in winter. The fix is a peak in the middle. Covermates’ support is an inflatable PVC disc, 30 inches across and 8 inches high, that sits under the cover and lifts it into a slope, with an electric pump to fill it in a minute.
This review is based on the maker’s specifications and on how inflatable cover supports perform on outdoor furniture generally. We have not used this support ourselves.
Using It
Set the bag on the table top or the seat cushion at the centre of the furniture, inflate until it stands firm, and pull the cover over. The cover should slope away on every side with no flat spot. For a long sectional or a large dining set, a second bag at the other end gives two peaks and no dip between them. Tighten the cover straps so the fabric stays taut over the peak.
Why It Beats a Bucket
An upturned bucket or a box makes a hard point that wears a hole in the cover. A 30 inch disc spreads the lift over a wide area and the rounded top has no edge to chafe. The height adjusts by how much air goes in, so the same bag suits a small table and a large one.
Winter
Snow slides off a peaked cover. Snow on a flat cover melts and refreezes into a block that no one can lift without tearing the fabric. For furniture left out through winter, the bag is the difference between a cover that survives and one that does not.
Durability
PVC at 0.3 mm is tough but a chair finial or a table edge will find it. A folded towel or a square of cardboard under the bag protects the underside. Deflate and store it flat in summer out of sun.
The Pump
An electric pump fills it in a minute and the same pump deflates it. It needs a socket or a battery pack near the patio.
Who Should Buy It
- Anyone whose patio cover holds a puddle.
- Owners leaving furniture out through winter.
- Grill and hot tub owners with sagging covers.
Common Owner Complaints
Punctures on sharp edges. Pad the contact.
Alternatives to Consider
A pole-and-dome cover support for a fixed peak. A second bag for long furniture. A pitched furniture cover with built-in supports.
Verdict
For a cover that collects water, a wide inflatable peak is the cheapest fix and the kindest to the fabric. Pad it, inflate it just enough and pull the straps tight.
Full specifications
Covermates Inflatable PVC Air Bag Cover Support with Electric Air Pump, 30 x 8 Inches FAQs
The bag sits on the table or seat under the cover and raises the centre into a peak. Water runs to the edges and off instead of collecting in the dip between the furniture.
Enough to lift the cover into a slope on all sides, no more. Overinflated, it strains the cover seams; underinflated, a puddle still forms.
Yes. Snow slides off a peaked cover and does not freeze into a block in a dip, which is the main winter cover killer.
On a sharp table edge or a chair finial, it can. A folded towel under the bag protects it.
