Protective Case Protection Guide: The Difference Between Waterproof, Water Resistant, and Water Resistant
Aug 04,2024 | FllickerMarine
One of the biggest concerns many people have when choosing a protective case is "Are they waterproof?" The answer is yes, all EliteShield™ cases are waterproof unless otherwise stated. However, it is important to understand what waterproof really means because there are significant differences between water resistant, waterproof and waterproof. This article explains these differences in detail to help you better choose the right case.
Waterproof: short-lived protection
Waterproof simply means that something will not absorb enough water to make it wet for a significant period of time. The fabric or material may have a specific weave or composition that makes it difficult for liquids to penetrate quickly. Water may initially slide off immediately, but eventually the material will absorb the liquid. Most home and outdoor accessories fall into this category, such as patio mats, couches, car seats, and even some mixed-use rugs. They can prevent water from penetrating the fibers for a period of time, but inevitably they will eventually seep through and need to be dried. This means that, as a user, you need to be more aware of liquids in relation to your items, either keeping them away from prolonged rain or quickly wiping up spills.
Waterproofing: a higher level of protection
Waterproof means that the surface of the item will repel water, but that doesn't mean that liquids won't seep underneath it. It's normal for waterproof items to seep through corners or seams. Most products sold as waterproof fall into this category, from raincoats to umbrellas to patio awnings and even the roofs of buildings. Water will slide off the surface, but may pool and seep into areas where the fabric is sagging or the material is worn.
Waterproofing: completely sealed
All parts of a waterproof material must be completely sealed to prevent liquids from entering or leaving. Examples include dry bags, soft coolers, waders and those bags that can hold cell phones and carry them into the pool without damaging them. Watertight seams must be permanently sealed by a process such as heat pressing, heat sealing, or applying an additional sealant (such as caulk), or simply using a non-porous material with no weak spots in the seal. While this may seem like a good idea for a car cover, you must remember that anything that is 100% waterproof will also keep 100% of the water inside. This is actually the worst thing you can do when trying to secure your vehicle.
Why choose waterproof over water resistant?
All EliteShield materials are 100% waterproof, which means that water cannot penetrate the fabric itself. Most of our car covers (and car covers in general) are not intentionally designed to be waterproof. Why? The answer is simple: breathability. Anything that exists outside of a temperature-controlled indoor environment will absorb moisture from the air at night or when there is a temperature difference between the material and the surrounding air. Think of your car windshield, or the dew that covers your grass in the early morning. If the cover is 100% waterproof, any moisture trapped inside cannot evaporate and escape. Trapped moisture can lead to the growth of mold, rust and other substances that damage boats, RVs, cars and other vehicles.
Proper Installation and Maintenance
As long as your boat cover is installed correctly and supported with the proper poles, pads and straps, there will be no leakage problems. Ensuring that any standing water or snow is removed quickly will greatly reduce the risk of water seeping into your vehicle through the seams. We offer accessories that can help ensure your boat cover is supported as well as possible, including extra straps and support rods for boat covers. They can also be used to support any other boat cover that needs a little support, from UTV boat covers to pickup truck compartments and more. It's also important to properly pad the underside of your boat cover with additional support (such as cushions or even inflatable bags) so that the weight of outside precipitation doesn't tear the material or create areas of sagging and waterlogging.
Conclusion.
To make a long story short, waterproof covers are better than waterproof covers in almost any situation because they allow water to evaporate and prevent the outside elements from damaging your vehicle as long as they are properly installed, used and maintained. Choosing the right cover will not only extend the life of your item, but also prevent unnecessary damage and hassle.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)