Author Archives: Christina Mantoura-Gough

After picking out the perfect hot tub for your family, the right amount of hydrotherapy jets, the placement of those jets, entertainment options, such as a TV and music player, the final decision is where to place your spa for the best possible experience.

Do you want to place it outside and take advantage of that beautiful view, while relaxing in comfort or do you prefer to put it in a dedicated room inside for ease of use in all weather conditions? There are limitless options as to where you can put a hot tub, but there are some things to consider that may make the decision a little easier.

If you have an existing pool or swim spa, you may want to position the hot tub to take advantage of the existing plumbing hook ups. The same can be said if you prefer to install the spa in the house. Consider exactly where the plumbing is in your house to determine if the hot tub would be better situated in one location or another.

No matter where you decide to place your hot tub, you will need to understand that you require ample space around the hot tub, so that you will be able to fully service the spa whenever necessary. Keeping that in mind when laying out your plan will make life a lot easier in the long run.

You also have to fully consider the space required to house the support system of the hot tub, which includes the air blower, the water pump, filter and all other plumbing and hardware required.

If you decide that you want to take advantage of the pristine views offered in your back yard or from your deck, you will have to take in to account if there are any trees or other fauna that may fall into the hot tub when uncovered for prolonged periods.

It is wonderful to sit outside no matter the weather and enjoy the benefits of your spa, but you will curse the tree that continually drops leaves into your spa. So, ensure that you have fully considered all the variables when making your choice of location, whether inside or out. Safety and ease of use should be major considerations in making that choice.

By planning to use existing plumbing and electrical lines you can dramatically reduce the cost of your installation. All of these things need to be fully understood and considered before making a choice and when they are your experience will be that much easier and much more enjoyable in the long run.

If you are thinking about buying a hot tub, there are few things to consider before visiting a hot tub store to buy your spa. Some of the things you will need to consider are quite obvious, while others are not so obvious. One of the primary considerations is the actual size of the hot tub. How many people would you like to accommodate and will that size hot tub fit into the space you have reserved for the installation? This is probably the most important issue to resolve from the outset.

It really doesn’t matter how many people you want to accommodate if your space dictates that you can only fit a certain size hot tub into your space, so figure this out first. Another crucial aspect to consider is comfort. Sit in the hot tubs you like and that will fit your space to determine if they meet your requirements for foot space and seating depth. The requirements are dramatically different for a person who is 6ft 6″ versus a person who is 5ft 5″. Check if the controls are easily accessible. Check for ease of entry and exit. Ask if they have cushioned headrests. Explore what basic options are the most important to you and your family before making a decision.

Another major consideration in a hot tub purchase is the number of jets for hydrotherapy. The amount of jets alone does not equate to a good hot tub. The placement, adjustability and variety of the jets are of equal importance when selecting a good hot tub. Strongly consider if your hot tub is built by a reliable manufacturer with an excellent and long established record of safety and durability. Check to see if the hot tub is backed by a warranty that covers you fully.

Once you have reviewed some of these vital details, look at some of the fun options. Do you want a built in music system or TV? Check to see if the hot tub is self cleaning and energy efficient. You want to take this into consideration as it will save you money in the long run. The easier the hot tub is the better as you will have more time to enjoy your spa.

It should go without saying that you will want a hot tub manufacturer and installer who considers safety a primary factor and will ensure that your tub and installation complies with all safety and bylaw issues that are necessary for your area. Be sure to do your homework before hand and it will ensure that you have many years of fun and leisure.

Most likely, if you have invested in a quality hot tub, it has been designed to conserve energy, but you can enhance its efficiency with a few small steps. What you really want to focus on is preserving the heat of your hot tub. Let’s take a look at how you can achieve this.

Your hot tub cover:

Since heat rises, you want to focus on conserving the heat of the hot tub at this level. This you can be achieved with a well made hot tub cover. With a quality spa, you won’t have to be concerned about losing heat through its shell.

You need to check your spa cover to make sure it hasn’t been subjected to wear and tear where it is no longer performing at its peak. Usually, when heat leaks occur it is at the hinge fold and around the rims. Perhaps, the sealing qualities have been compromised by age.

The other thing to keep in mind is that if the cover is quite old, it may become water logged. This will be evident if you find that the cover seems to be getting heavier.

Proper placement of the cover is really important. Make sure to take the time to ensure that cover is in its proper position and, if necessary, use tie down straps to keep it in place and stop it from shifting.

Proper location:

Another big factor that can really help with your energy conservation efforts is where you place the hot tub for use, while creating a windbreak, if needed. Not only does this help with energy savings, but it provides a level of privacy. There are lots of options for windbreaks, such as shrubs, privacy panels, or even a spa enclosure.

Vacation settings:

If you are going to be away for a period of time, there is no need to keep your hot tub at its optimized setting. Most vacations are taken during the warmer months, so you can safely turn down the thermostat settings until you get back.

Finally, don’t forget to turn off the air jets, lights and blowers when you are not using the hot tub. All of these energy savings tips are small but are accumulative when it comes to saving on energy, which in turn saves you money.

As a hot tub owner, you know about all the great benefits that a hot tub has to offer. You have probably discovered how easy it is to maintain and this is partly thanks to your hot tub cover. In order to continue experiencing these great benefits, there are some steps that you can take regarding your hot tub cover maintenance that will really help to preserve it and extend its life.

It is going to depend on the type of cover that you are currently using, such as if it’s a hard cover or a soft vinyl cover.

If you have a vinyl cover, you will find that it is comprised of a PVC layer that is backed with fabric. To make the outer layer strong and weather resistant, it is usually top coated with special compounds called plasticizers. Then, softening agents are added to keep it soft and easy to work with.

Over time, this top coat can end up getting damaged, especially from UV rays. Although, some of the better quality hot tub vinyl covers have UV protectors built into them. You can seek out vinyl protection products that contain UV inhibitors that you can apply to enhance the protection of the cover. Just make sure that it is designed for use on hot tub covers. Many of these products that have been designed for this use allow it to be used on the underside of the cover as well to help protect against mildew.

One thing to really be on the lookout for is vinyl treatment products that contain any oils or petroleum distillates. These can be really harsh on vinyl. You also don’t want a product that leaves a coating that looks like dried wax.

While adding extra protection to your vinyl hot tub cover is important, so is the regular cleaning of it. You really should include this as part of your hot tub maintenance program. You can easily clean it with your garden hose and a quality vinyl cleaner. Make sure the run off is not entering the hot tub.

By taking good care of your vinyl hot tub cover you are extending its performance and longevity. This, in turn, is providing the ultimate protection for your hot tub.

Your hot tub is no doubt bringing you a great deal of enjoyment. Chances are, you are finding that you are spending a great deal more time outdoors thanks to your spa. Now, you may be considering enhancing the area of the hot tub and this brings to mind some decking installation.

Enhancing you hot tub area with decking is going to give you some exciting choices both in styles and materials. You really want to make sure that you make the choices that are going to best suit your needs.

You are soon going to find that your new deck is going to be an extension of your indoor living space. It will not only provide a great setting for your hot tub, but will be a place where you can sit and relax after enjoying a session in your tub. It will also be a great location for entertaining friends that have come to enjoy your hot tub with you.

There are so many different types of materials that decking is now comprised of. When it comes to the hardwoods, the favourite choices include teak, mahogany, redwood, cedar and cypress. There are some concerns about the over use of these woods as demand continues to grow. This is leading some to other alternatives, such as man made materials including composite and vinyl decking. Although these can be more expensive initially, they are low maintenance, which compensates for the extra cost. One issue that arises with composite decking is that it will age over time and tends to fade.

You want to pay particular attention to the decking you are going to use around your hot tub because it is going to be exposed to water. You also want to pay attention to the look and feel of the decking, so that it enhances your swim spa, but at the same time is comfortable to walk on. Aside from woods for the decking, you can also consider concrete or stone.

All of the decking materials have pros and cons, so you want to review each of these carefully when making your choice. It must possess all of the safety features like being slip resistant and easy to clean and maintain.

Not only do you have to decide on which decking materials you want, but you also have to consider the size and design. Once you have finished with your decision making and go ahead with your new decking plans, you will love the results and how it enhances your hot tub area.