Christina Mantoura, Author at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company

Hydropool Swim Spas Provide Three Exceptional Options

Posted on 14 October 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

When it comes to choosing your next swim spa, there are a lot of things that you want to keep in mind when making your choice. Swim Spas have a lot of benefits to them and they are something that can provide exceptional exercise, as well as relaxation and enjoyment for many years to come.

There are several manufacturers of swim spas that are available to you and one of the leading brands is Hydropool. While every manufacturer will focus on something that is unique about their brand, Hydropool has focused on developing the best swim spa on the market, while providing great value both short and long-term.

One of the areas that Hydropool really excels in is their attention to energy efficiency. They have implemented a HydroWise Thermal Shield Cover, which not only reduces the energy consumption that comes with the heating of the spa, but also helps the swim spa to retain its temperature. They have also made cleaning much easier by creating the only self cleaning spa in the world.

This manufacturer has really stepped up by offering several different swim spa models. In total, it has 12 in their lineup, which is comprised of three key types, including the Aqua Play, Aqua Sport and Aqua Trainer.

When choosing the swim spa that is going to best suit your family, there are a few things that you want to consider when making your choice among these selections. One of the greatest advantages that a swim spa offers is the ability to do various types of exercises. If you are taking a look at the Aqua Play, you are going to see that it has been well designed for cross training. It is compact and easily fits in to most areas as do the other models of swim spas. The spa comes with the standard safety steps, but you have the ability to upgrade these if you wish. Another great feature of the Aqua Play is that it is compatible with the different types of equipment that would be beneficial in cross training.

The Aqua Sport comes with seven different choices and is an ideal family orientated swim spa that allows for various forms of exercise, as well as swimming of course.

The Aqua Trainer comes with six different choices and is geared towards swimming up to advanced levels. No matter which of the Hydropool spas you decide on, you are going to find that it is going to meet all of your needs and expectations.

How to Maintain Exceptional Hot Tub Water Quality

Posted on 13 October 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

There is probably nothing worse than going to enjoy your hot tub or spa with friends or family, then you pull off the cover and find that the water is less than appealing in either smell or texture.

It is probably something every hot tub owner has experienced at one time or another, such as milky, foamy or exceptionally cloudy water. Furthermore, at times, you can’t figure out exactly what is causing the issue.

Depending on what you are experiencing, there is usually a pretty definitive explanation for what is occurring.

If your water is exceptionally cloudy and seems to have a whole lot of very small particles floating in the water, there are a variety of reasons for this occurrence. It may caused by insoluble particles suspended in the water, dead algae particles, organic debris or even detritus from a poorly running filter.

The best way to deal with this issue is to check your filter to be sure that it is running properly as this is the first suspect, especially when the water has particles floating. Be sure to clean the filter or even replace it if you suspect that they are performing less than optimally. You can also check and ensure that the balance of the water is correct with regard to PH levels and be sure to check your sanitizer level as well as this can be the cause of this symptom as well. You can also try and perform a full shock of the water with a non chlorine shock. As a last resort, empty the hot tub and begin again. While this may seem extreme, sometimes it is the best way to go, especially if the usage has been very heavy.

If you find the water to be very milky, while lacking the particles mentioned above, you can try the same techniques described earlier, while omitting the clarifier as it’s not necessary.

The easiest one to pin down is the foamy water issue. The primary cause of the water to become foamy and leave a greasy type film on the edge of the waterline is the interaction between the deodorants, make up and detergents on bathing suits and the chemicals in the hot tub.

The simplest way of dealing with this is to have your guests take a quick shower before jumping in the hot tub. This may seem like a pain, but the hassles it causes down the road can be limited by this simple process. You can also use an enzyme based product to counteract the reaction. Both of these are preferable to using products like No Foam as these types of products are simply a quick fix rather than a long term solution.

Getting Your Swim Spa Ready for Winter

Posted on 11 October 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

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With the coming winter just around the corner, getting ready for the winter months by readying your swim spa properly is vital. There are different things you need to do to prepare your swim spa, hot tub or pool for the coming winter months regardless of whether you live in an area that gets snow or not.

The first step is to get all of the proper supplies you will need to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. This will include all the relevant chemicals and any other items you may require. Next, add your chemicals to your spa water one at a time to balance the PH and alkalinity properly. Then, add your algaecide and then a chlorine free shock. It is recommended to add each chemical separately and let the filter run for about an hour before adding the next one. Next, thoroughly vacuum your pool and brush all the walls and the floor as best you can to make sure that the pool is as clean as it can be for closing.

The next step is to lower the water to about three inches below the skimmer. You can use a cover pump to get the level down or whatever method you prefer. Next, close up your skimmer properly and remove all your hoses and properly store them.

You will also want to “winterize” all of your equipment, including your pump and heater, especially if you experience temperatures that dip below freezing. Simply clean and thoroughly dry all your cleaning equipment, then store them indoors. It only takes a small amount of water left in your spa to freeze and cause great damage, so ensure it is properly emptied if you are not using it.

Next, cover your spa properly. Be sure to follow all of the manufactures recommendations in order to be sure that you spa is properly protected for the winter months.

How to Deal With Snow on Your Hot Tub Cover

Posted on 7 October 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

A common question as the weather begins to turn is what to do if you get snow on your hot tub cover. The biggest fear people have is how much weight can the hot tub cover take. There are different ways to approach this question and they are determined mainly by the type of cover you have for your spa. Of course, a mesh cover will perform differently both a solid cover and a safety cover. There is a general rule of thumb for snow on the cover which is if there is only a foot or two of snow, the cover should have no problem holding that amount. However, If you get to the two to three feet of snow, you should stay clam but begin to take notice. If you get over three feet, you should definitely take some action.

As we said above, there are different things to consider depending on the type of cover you have to protect you pool or spa. If you have solid type covers the best thing to do is simply let nature takes its course and let the snow melt over time. You can invest in a cover pump that will remove the melted water, but there is not much else to do overall. The cover should hold the snow reasonably well.

A safety cover may look as though it will break from the weight of the snow but there really is not much you can do other than wait for the snow to melt and then pump the water off just as you would with a solid cover. The main reason to avoid trying to shovel the snow off the cover is that you can cause much more damage to the cover.

How to Prevent Stains in Your Swim Spa

Posted on 5 October 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

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Stains can form when your swim spa is not in use, which can make your spa lose its luster to a certain degree. There are ways to combat this, however, and keep your swim spa looking as good as the day it was purchased and installed. According to the experts, the absolute best way to keep stains or any other degradation from happening is to invest in a really good cover for your spa for those dormant or winter months. There are different types of covers to consider. The mesh safety covers or solid safety covers with drain panels serve a certain purpose, yet they still allow a certain amount of contaminants, such as oils and dirt to accumulate in the spa all winter long. A solid safety cover is considered the absolute best way to prevent those contaminants from entering the spa and causing the stains that can form when they are allowed to enter.

Another very important factor to consider and action to perform is to fully ensure that the water remaining in the spa is properly balanced. As the colder weather comes, the water will change and it can have a very negative impact on your spa. The colder water will allow the formation of crystals from the salt if the ph, alkalinity and calcium are not properly adjusted to counteract this simple chemistry reaction.

The third thing to consider is the final cleaning of the spa for the winter close up. Be sure to take the time to thoroughly clean the spa, so that it is virtually spotless. By doing this, you will be sure that there is nothing that can give rise to the problems outlined above.

The maintenance does not end there either. Be sure to keep the cover free of any debris that may blow in over the course of the fall and winter months. Always keep the water level below the rim of the cover as well to prevent the water from touching the cover as it can trap debris like leaves. Also, be sure to clean any snow off the top and use a leaf catcher to reduce the amount of leaves and debris from sitting on the top.

These are just a few of the tips needed to maintain your spa during winter. You will also need to consider using scale inhibitors, stain inhibitors and possibly enzymes as well, depending on your particular climate and type of filtering system. Be sure to do your homework and follow the advice of your manufacturer to ensure that your spa looks great for years to come.

A Soft Tub can be the Right Hot Tub Choice

Posted on 30 September 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

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For some people, a soft tub is the ideal choice for a hot tub. One of the greatest advantages with the soft tub is its portability. While the materials are considered to be soft, they are extremely strong and some of the additional advantages, such as its ability to be able to be installed easily in a limited amount of space.

For those that are on the go, perhaps travelling between their main home and summer home, taking the soft tub with them should pose no problem. Some individuals that have a large balcony have soft tubs installed in because the weight allows them to do so.

Once it decided that the soft tub is the best choice for you, you are going to find that there are some great choices available to you. If you are a couple that is looking for just a high quality smaller version of a hot tub, a small two-seater soft tub is a great solution.

Aside from the size and portability, there are some other great reasons for choosing the soft tub. Most often, they are used in small areas.

Energy efficiency is important with any type of hot tub, including soft tubs. Although, soft tubs are lightweight and soft, you can count on it being weather resistant. It can take both the heat and the cold, as well as the warm sunshine or the rainy weather quite easily. Keeping the soft tub clean is never an issue as it has an automatic cleaning system built into it.

There is never any reason for any individual or family to have to do without the benefits of a hot tub as the soft tub is the perfect alternative.

How Saunas Provide Therapy

Posted on 28 September 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

A lot of people are beginning to look for more natural ways to improve their health rather than having to rely on traditional treatments, such as medications. One of the alternative ways people are treating themselves is through sauna therapy.

Many individuals like to use their sauna year round as they have found that their are many benefits. People use them for different reasons, such as improving relaxation, while some use it for pure enjoyment throughout the year and cold winter months. In addition to this, there are the many health benefits that have been accredited to saunas, such as helping with cold symptoms, reducing stress and pain relief. Many athletes find that it is a great way to help improve their performance.

When it comes to which type of sauna is a best for the home, there are several choices. There is the dry sauna, infrared sauna, and even steam rooms. The biggest differences between the different types of saunas is the differences in breathing dry sauna air versus wet steam air.

In the steam room the humidity is much greater and many people that have respiratory problems or colds find that this increased humidity really helps with breathing. For those that are focusing on raising their core body temperature and inducing sweating, they tend to go for the dry saunas.

One of the most important factors about saunas no matter which is chosen is that they help to detoxify the body, which helps to strengthen the immune system. Saunas have also been proven to help improve the health of the heart, while helping to reduce inflammation that can often be created from sports activity.

Many individuals that are suffering from different types of muscular pain or injury have turned to saunas for relief. Those that have fibromyalgia and arthritis will often say that they find that the benefits that the sauna brings them far supersedes anything else that they may be doing for these conditions.

How Saunas Help With Athletic Performance

Posted on 19 September 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

Saunas have been around for a great many years and with the modern day technology, the advancements that have been made in these is significant. The most common uses for the sauna is for relaxation, to detox the body, and for the treatment of many different types of common ailments.

Athletes have learned that the use of a sauna can help lead them to much better performance. The sauna has the ability to increase the core temperature of an individual for a short period of time, which helps to improve athletic performance. This is typically called hypothermic conditioning.

Hypothermic conditioning is being researched further for its potential ability to stimulate the growth of new brain cells, as well as having positive effects on the body in general. Being able to increase one’s level of endurance in any sport usually acts as a great bonus. Most often, the athletes exercise at a high intensity, while using this as their main way to build their endurance. When doing this, it usually will increase the body temperature during the session.

Wen an individual is acclimatizing to the heat in the sauna, it helps the body adapt quicker during body temperature elevation. This is normal heat stress, which creates some positive affects in the body. There was a study done where individuals were subjected to a 30 minute sauna session twice a week for a period of three weeks after they had completed their workouts. The end results indicated that there increase in time to run until they reached their exhausted level was increased by 30%.

There is further research being done in regards to the possibility of a sauna being able to produce a mass release in the human growth hormone. A reduction in the HGH usually comes with age and being able to increase these levels tends to make one healthier and stronger.

Aside from athletes, many others find that the benefits that the sauna offers by way of relaxation and reducing muscle soreness in itself is a great benefit.

A Closer Look at Swim Spa Enclosures

Posted on 12 September 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura

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Having a swim spa installed at your home is a great addition. It is something that is going to bring many hours of entertainment, as well as fun and relaxation to the entire family. Once you have your swim spa installed, you may want to go a step further and think about one of the many enclosures that can make this space even more valuable.

Your enclosure can be based around pools or swim spas. When making the decision for your enclosure, you may want to get one that is electronically controlled. These are super easy to use and usually all they take is a touch of a button on a handheld remote to open and close the enclosure. This gives you the best of both worlds. When it’s a bright and sunny day, you can open the enclosure, so you can enjoy the warmth of the sun. When the weather is not cooperating, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take advantage of your swim spa, as you can easily close your enclosure to provide you with the extra protection that you will want.

When choosing your enclosure, you’re going to want to think of some of the variations in colours, as well as shapes and designs. You also want to look for an enclosure that is going to fit in with the aesthetics of the area where your swim spa is located.

If you want to go even more elaborate, you can look at the fully retractable pool enclosures. Again, you have the option of having it open or closed which really makes the use of the swim spa versatile. Before making your decision, you really want to look at what is available to you, as a well as your budget.

It is not unusual for many people, when first starting out with a swim spa, to not consider adding an enclosure. However, after they have enjoyed the fun and all the other benefits that the swim spa has to offer, they don’t want to lose any time throughout the year of not being able to use it. Making the extra investment for an enclosure is a good one because it allows you to use your spa all year round.

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