A plate heat exchanger includes a head, a housing, a frame, a pack, a follower, and a first tie bar. The housing has a driving mechanism. The frame is disposed between the head and housing. The pack includes a plurality of heat exchange plates. The follower is configured to slide along the frame and compress the pack between the follower and the head. The follower has a nut with internal threads. The first tie bar is disposed between the head and the housing. The first tie bar has external threads configured to mate with the internal threads of the nut. The driving mechanism is configured to rotate the first tie bar and the follower is configured to translate along the first tie bar in response to rotation of the first tie bar. A first telescoping cover is disposed between the head and the follower. The first telescoping cover is configured to cover the first tie bar and control the ingress and egress of fluid coming into contact with the first tie bar disposed within the first telescoping cover.