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

Aftercare For Your Swim Spa

Posted on 7 April 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

The best choice you can make when buying a swim spa is to make sure that you are going to have it professionally installed. This prevents a lot of frustration and headaches on your part and ensures that it is going to be installed properly and ready for use whenever you desire. You also want to consider the deck and patio finishes that you are going to include around your swim spa and you may want to have these developed and completed at the same time, so you’re spa area is ready to use immediately.

Once your swim spa is up and running, you are going to want to have a maintenance plan in mind for keeping it fully optimized. You can either choose to do this yourself or you can quite easily put it into the hands of professionals who will offer you different options.

When looking at your aftercare for your swim spa maintenance, you can break it down into weekly, fortnight, monthly, quarterly, or annually. There will be many different plans for you to choose from and it’s just a matter of determining which is going to work best for you, as well as how much of the work you want to take on yourself.

If an occasion arises where you need repairs done, you want to deal with a service provider that is going to give you the replacement parts that are needed without a long wait. If you have a leak, you may need a leak analysis and repair to be conducted.

Other areas that have to be maintained and monitored are your heaters and your drainage sumps. One of the biggest factors that you need to stay on top of is the condition of the water for your swim spa, so that you never experience any downtime and disappointments.

It takes chemicals to keep the water in balance and you can either have the professional maintenance service providers do this on an ongoing basis or you can purchase the chemicals and complete the service yourself.

A lot of people are now considering the great effects of a ozone disinfection system to add to their swim spa, which helps to keep the water borne pathogens down. This is something that you may want to discuss with your swim spa provider.

Enhancing Your Swim Spa Area

Posted on 5 April 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

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As soon as you have had your swim spa installed, you are in for many hours of pleasure and enjoyment. Prior to this, though, there should be some planning put in place as to exactly where you are going to have your swim spa installed. You are going to have the choice of whether you want to have the spa installed indoors or outdoors. Many people don’t have the room for the indoor swim spa and are restricted to having it outdoors, which is no problem at all because with the proper set up, you can enjoy your swim spa all year round.

This means taking a look at your outdoor space and determining where the most convenient location is. You want it far enough away from the house, so it is its own separate entertainment area, but at the same time, you want it to be convenient located to be able to change and use the showers of the home. Of course, another option is to plan for a gazebo or out building that can be used to enhance your swim spa area.

Some of the most favoured choices you will have for your outbuildings for your swim spa are either gazebos or pavilion style buildings. There are so many to choose from. The first thing you’re going to want to do is determine how much additional space you will need for your swim spa enclosure and then what style you want and what the requirements will be.

You can make the choice to have your enclosure so it covers your swim spa, which ensures that you will be able to use it all year around. Or, you can have a separate building which can be used for changing, as well as for entertaining.

You can keep it as simple or as elaborate as you want, but you want to think carefully in your planning stage, so that you choose the right one and don’t have any disappointments. Gazebos have a beautiful rustic style to them and they are garden buildings that fit wonderfully into the outdoor architecture. Ideally, you want to make sure that it is made of quality materials and that the workmanship is impeccable. One of the reasons that gazebos are the choice of many people is because of its thermal qualities when used with top grade timber.

When choosing the building that you’re going to use to enhance your swim spa, keep in mind that you will often want to entertain and you want it big enough to accommodate your relatively large groups. It doesn’t matter whether you opt for rustic or modern, you are going to find that your building is going to enhance the overall quality of your property and make your swim spa area all the more enjoyable.

Using Your Hot Tub For Exercise

Posted on 30 March 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Most people invest in a hot tub because of the therapeutic and relaxation benefits. They use it to reduce their stress and to relax at various times throughout the day. What many are discovering is that the hot tub is an excellent way to perform low impact exercises that are beneficial physically.

When first entering the hot tub, most people want to sit back, close their eyes and let the warm water sooth the body. Many are not aware that there are some great exercised you can perform in the hot tub.

Rolling the shoulders

As your stress begins to melt away and you relax, consider rolling your shoulders forward, then hold this position for about five seconds, then roll them backwards. Repeat this exercise five times.

Bicycle kicks

Sitting on the edge of the seat, while support your hands and arms on the top of the hot tub, lift your legs and pedal just like you would if you were riding a bicycle. Start slowly if you do not exercise regularly. Start by doing it for 30 seconds, then increase the amount of time with your ultimate goal being to work up to one minute.

Arm rotations

Immersing yourself back into the water of the hot tub, partially submerge your arms and roll them forward, then reverse the rotation, so you are rolling your arms backwards. Your ultimate goal is to build up to three sets.

Rotating your torso

This time you’re going to kneel on the floor of the hot tub making sure that your back is straight. Put your hands on your hips and tighten your abdominal muscles. Then, rotate from the waist side to side. Do five of these and increase the number each time you use your hot tub.

Thigh presses

While sitting in the hot tub, put your knees together. Now, put your hands on the outer part of your knees and push your knees against your hands. You should be able to feel this in your inner and outer thigh muscles. Do this three times.

Once you have completed your exercises, you want to sit back and relax once again. Not only is the stress going to melt away a but you are going to feel revitalized.

How to Stop Hot Tub Foaming

Posted on 28 March 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

There is very little maintenance that you are going to have to do with your new hot tub. You want to make sure that you use the proper chemicals to keep it in pristine shape and that you keep it properly covered to keep the debris out of it. You also want to watch for symptoms of problems, which in most cases, can be corrected quickly.

One of the common issues that can arise with your hot tub is that it will begin to foam. There are several reasons why this can happen and often it is due to body lotions and other products that are on the skin of the hot tub users. It can also come from shampoo, hair gel, and even laundry detergent that is left on clothing that is being worn in the hot tub.

For these reasons it is highly recommended that hot tub users shower first. Also, you want to ensure that you don’t wash your bathing suit too often, especially if they are made out of cotton. If you are going to wash your bathing suit, make sure that you give it an extra rinse after the wash cycle.

Try to encourage everyone that has long hair to wear their hair up, so it is not touching the water. This way, it minimizes the shampoo, gel and other hair products that contaminate the water. Try not to use a lotion prior to using the hot tub.

You also want to make sure that you check the pH and calcium to make sure that they are correct. If the pH is too high or low or calcium is occurring, this can cause foam as well. It may take a little while after you get the water balanced to see a difference in the water. There are some excellent products that you can purchase to correct the foaming. Contact us for more details and if you have any questions at all.

Sauna Versus Steam Room

Posted on 24 March 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

If you are looking for a new form of relaxation, you may be considering either purchasing a sauna or steam room. They both have some great benefits and it is going to come down to the purpose that you want to use the sauna or steam room for. Both of these have the ability to produce a high level of heat, which enhances your health. Letâ€™s take a look at the difference between a sauna and a steam room.

Saunas

Saunas are able to reach a temperature of about 160& even infrared saunas are available. In general, most people will utilize a sauna session from anywhere between five to 20 minutes. They will make sure that they drink plenty of fluids, such as water before utilizing the sauna because of the high dry heat.

Steam rooms

The main difference between a sauna and steam room is that the steam room has moist heat. It produces many of the same benefits and usually comes down to a person’s personal preference regarding whether they like dry or moist heat. The temperature reached in the steam room is around 120 degrees.

There are a few factors that may help you choose between the two units if you are undecided. If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, you may find that the sauna brings the most benefits. This is based on the dry heat.

If you are suffering with skin conditions, such as acne, you may find that the steam room is really beneficial for helping to cleanse your pores and reduce acne breakouts. Generally speaking, a steam room is ideal for cleansing the skin. For those that suffer with chronic congestion, you’ll find that the moisture in the steam room really helps to loosen up the congestion and allows the sinuses to drain easier.

Considering all of these factors, it then comes down to what your personal preference is and which you feel you and your family will enjoy more.

Hot Tub Aromatherapy Increases Relaxation

Posted on 22 March 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Many people use hot tubs to relax. Aromatherapy is a great way to enhance your experience. Aromatherapy uses oil from certain plants to help enhance your relaxation through smell. You can set up a hot tub aromatherapy regime that you can use on a regular basis that is going to bring you many different experiences. Depending on the type of oil that you choose, it will dictate what kind of a sensation you are going to experience.

If you’ve had one of those days where you’re really feeling down for a variety of reasons, turn to the lavender oil. This is an oil that has often been recognized for making one feel happier. There are various selections of lavender oil that you can choose and some are stronger than others.

If you find that you are just totally worn out and you need a real energy boost, the oils that you want to choose are rosemary or peppermint. You can either use these separately or combine the two oils. Both of these oils have been recognized for their ability to enhance memory and concentration and allow one to focus. These oils possess many cognitive benefits. When they are classed as energy boosters, they help boost circulation when combined with the action of the hot tub.

If you are feeling anxious or a little hyper and would like to just take some time to calm down, you can go for the more citrus type oils, such as lemon balm, mandarin, bitter orange, or even the orange blossom oils. Another favorite of many is the chamomile oil. All of these oils help relax the muscles.

Aside from the therapeutic benefits that these oils and many others bring, many of them are also wonderful for leaving the skin soft and moisturized. As you can see by choosing the right oils for your hot tub, you are going to get many additional benefits that really enhance the pleasure that the hot tub is going to bring you.

While these are just a few of the most common types of oils to be used in your hot tub, you want to make sure that you use them according to the hot tub manufacturer’s directions. A little bit of these oils goes a long way when it comes to their scent and you don’t want them to be overpowering.

Enhancing Your Hot Tub Ambience

Posted on 18 March 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Once you’ve had your hot tub installed, you are going to find that you are going to be spending many hours enjoying it. You can really step it up a notch with some of the accessories that make this experience even more enjoyable.

Many times people like to use their hot tubs late in the evening after a hard day’s work and they just want to relax. By having some wonderful lighting added to your hot tub it will enhance your relaxation and the ambience of your surroundings.

Depending on the make and model of hot tub, you may be able to take advantage of an upgrade to LED lighting that illuminates off of the top mounted control valves. With this type of lighting, which is called the Northern lights, you can either enjoy a selection of colors or set it to one color of your preference. Added to this lighting is another selection of LED lights that will illuminate the waterfall jets, creating a beautiful lighting atmosphere. This type of lighting is available for the self-cleaning and Serenity hot tubs provided by Hydropool.

Something else that really helps to create a nice ambience is when you light up the garden area that is surrounding your hot tub. Again, if you are purchasing one of the self-cleaning and Serenity hot tubs, you can take advantage of the deluxe LED and garden affects lighting. This is a lighting package that can be utilized around the perimeter of your hot tub, lighting up your garden decor.

Having soothing sounds or music to listen to while relaxing in your hot tub is also really beneficial to helping you unwind. You can do this with various sound systems that can either be built in to your hot tub or used separately, depending on the brand that you are buying. You are going to find that once you have started to enjoy your hot tub and are spending a lot of time using it, you are really going to want to focus on enhancing the area where it is located.

You will find that, not only are you using the spa for yourself and your family, but you are also using it to entertain. In this case, you are going to want to look at what is available to you by way of the various styles of cabinets for your hot tub, as well as easy access to your hot tub with steps.

There are many smaller accessories that you can get to add to your enjoyment, such as a mini bar that can clip onto the side of your hot tub. For extra relaxation, you can even use aromatherapy oils.

One thing is for sure, you are going to want to make the most of your hot tub. With these accessories, you are going to find that it is an investment that truly enhances your hot tub experience.

Using the Swim Spa to Keep the Family Active

Posted on 16 March 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

One of the greatest benefits of having a swim spa is that it is an ideal spa for the entire family. Many of those with young children find it most difficult to keep the kids entertained at home in a healthy manner. It is not hard to get them to a play video games or watch TV, but it can be a little more difficult to get them outdoors. Once you have a swim spa to entice them, it becomes much easier.

As soon as the swim spa is installed, it won’t take much convincing to get the kids out to enjoy it. Like anything, however, the novelty may begin to wear off and this is where you want to encourage the kids to utilize the swim spa for more than just a form of water play. You can encourage them to use all of the exercise features that come with the swim spa. You can also illustrate how this type of exercise is going to keep their body healthy. For the young ladies, they will want to focus on maintaining a slim appearance, while the young fellows will be keen on building their physique.

When it comes to the teens that are athletic minded, the swim spa is perfect for swim training. For those that are not into any form of exercise, they can certainly be encouraged to utilize the other benefits of the swim spa, such as the hot tub features.

For the adults of the family, taking the time to use the swim spa on a daily basis is going to help to increase their energy level and reduce their levels of stress. They will also find that this is going to offer them a great form of exercise that they have not been able to find time for in the past. Being able to quickly utilize a swim spa in the home is far easier than having to travel to a gym or to utilize a public pool.

Another way of getting all of the family members to utilize the swim spa is by encouraging them to use it socially. There is no doubt the kids would love to have a swim spa party and the adults would definitely enjoy having a hot tub party when their friends come over for the evening.

The seniors should not be left out of the many benefits that that the swim spa is able to afford as well. They can use the spa for simple exercise as well as take advantage of the soothing circulating water to help increase their circulation and deal with some of their joint stiffness and pain.

A swim spa is certainly something that can be well utilized by every member of the family and put to good use year round.

Understanding Hot Tub Chemistry

Posted on 11 March 2016 - 00:00 by Christina Mantoura-Gough

Owning a hot tub is a lot of fun for the entire family and when you buy a good quality hot tub, you will find that there is very little maintenance that is required. However, you do want to take the few steps that are necessary to keep your hot tub pristine and fully optimized. There are a few chemicals that you may want to use in order to be able to achieve this.

One of the priorities is to keep your hot tub sanitized. Sanitizing your hot tub means killing the bacteria and any potential viruses that may be present, as well as preventing the growth of algae. There are some common products that can be used to assist you with this.

Chlorine

This is something that many people are familiar with as it is used commonly in swimming pools. It can be used in hot tubs as well, but it is important that you buy good quality chlorine and you also follow the manufacturer’s directions for using chemicals in your hot tub. You will find that it comes in many different forms, such as tablets or granules that dissolve as soon as they have been added to the water. These are the best types to use for hot tubs and you really want to keep your chlorine levels between 3 to 5 MG/L.

Bromine

This is a mixture of chlorine and sodium bromide. Bromide is also another product that works very well as a sanitizer and has been approved for hot tubs. One of the advantages of using bromine is that it does not have the strong odor to it that chlorine does. You will want to follow your hot tub manufacturer’s directions regarding the ideal level of bromine for your hot tub, but it is usually between 3 to 6 MG/L.

Shockers and oxidizers

Following the proper maintenance program to sanitize your hot tub is going to mean that you are going to very rarely have any issues with the water that it contains. On occasion, you may need to shock the water if the hot tub is being used on a consistent basis by many people. When you shock the hot tub it helps to get rid of any odors that may be forming and any organic material that has not been removed by your sanitizing system. Individuals that use the hot tub often have body oils on them and perspiration or cosmetics which often end up in the water of the hot tub. When you shock the hot tub it helps to get rid of all of these substances. There are several different products on the market that will do this job for you. Most likely, your provider of your hot tub carries a selection of hot tub products that you can rely on.

Alkaline

You want to know the level of alkaline in the water as this is the buffer regarding changes in pH. You want to make sure that you test regularly for the total alkalinity level, which should be between 125 â€“ 150 MG/L. If you don’t stay on top of this and you allow it to drop lower than these measurements, you can end up with some corrosion of your hot tub equipment. If it gets too high, the clarity of the water is affected.

PH level

Measuring the pH level is going to tell you what the level of acidity or alkalinity is of your hot tub water. 0 to 6 indicates that the water is acetic and seven is neutral, while anything between 7 to 14 is standard. There are handy test strips that you can use for testing this.

Calcium

You will have to constantly be adding fresh water to your hot tub as it dissipates through use and evaporation. Each time you are adding water, you are going to want to check calcium levels. This is going to depend on the type of water that you’re using as tap water in some areas can be soft, while in other areas it can be harder, which means it has a higher level of calcium. It is suggested that the calcium level of the hot tub should be capped between 100 to 200 MG/L. Calcium levels that are too low will lead to equipment corrosion. If the calcium is too high the water may look milky or cloudy.

As you can see, it takes very few chemicals to keep your hot tub working at its best and it is well worth the few minutes of effort and investment that it takes to maintain it properly.

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