Author Archives: Christina Mantoura-Gough

When you purchase a quality hot tub, you will find that it has the capability of maintaining itself in many different ways. Many people find that when they have made a hot tub purchase, they want to be able to utilize it on an ongoing basis and make sure that it is well looked after.

One of the areas that can wear down a hot tub is a poor filtration system. Buying one of the newer models means that you can rely on self-cleaning technology. Even the design of the seating in the hot tub can play an important role in the filtration. If the jets are placed in the unit properly, they will create a continuous flow of water, which helps to push all of the debris towards the filtration system.

While most hot tub owners try to encourage the users of the hot tub to shower before going in to the spa, there are times where body oils and impurities end up in the water. This is why it is important to have an excellent filtering system with the proper pumps that are going to be able to filter out the debris. The responsibility of the owner is to ensure the recycled filters are lifted and cleaned out properly, then replaced when necessary.

By following all of the suggestions and recommendations in the owner’s manual, it will also help to extend the life of the hot tub. Something else that is very important is to utilize a good quality hot tub cover. There are many to choose from that are made of different materials.

Quite often they have a vinyl outer layer that over time can wear out as they are exposed to the UV rays of the sun. You can actually extend the life of the hot tub cover by getting an additional cover to go over this, which is not expensive. Some individuals will use a UV resistant tarp for this, but it really takes away from the aesthetics of the hot tub itself and it can be cumbersome to work with.

No matter which form of protection is used it is important to make sure that some form of cover is used for the hot tub as this will go a long way in extending its life. It is also a way of being energy efficient.

Your hot tub is going to bring you a great deal of pleasure. You are going to find that this is a wonderful source for relaxation and when you have purchased a quality hot tub, you have very little maintenance. Ideally, you will want to have a hot tub cover that is going to protect your investment.

Keeping it clean:

The hot tub cover provides protection from debris getting into your hot tub. You will find that your outdoor hot tub will be subjected to airborne debris. By having a proper hot tub cover to protect it, you will not have to deal with removing the debris and you won’t have to be concerned about the smaller particles creating different forms of bacteria.

Child, pet and sun protection:

Another reason for having a good quality hot tub cover is that it protects the hot tub from children and pets falling into it. A good quality hot tub cover will also protect the hot tub from the exposure to the sun, which can be harmful over time. This is one of the reasons why you want to make sure that you invest in a good quality cover that is going to be able to withstand the UV rays.

Heat retention and energy savings:

Another very important factor that the cover serves is that it helps to retain the heat of the hot tub, keeping the temperature more consistent and energy efficient.

Choosing the right cover:

When choosing your hot tub cover there are a few things at that you want to keep in mind. You want to make sure that the material it is made from is going to be UV resistant as well as mildew resistant. There are many different types of materials that hot tub covers come in and you may want to speak with your hot tub supplier to find out which one would be the most appropriate for yours. It is important that you get to the proper size for your particular hot tub.

You may also find that you want to invest in a hot tub cover lift. This makes removing your cover much quicker and easier which will depend on the type of cover that you have chosen.

Using a hot tub allows you to relax and enjoy the many comforts that warm circulating water can bring. Many individuals enjoy using their hot tub with their partner. This is a golden opportunity to be able to incorporate some massage to enhance the benefits that the warm water is going to bring you. Massage has many benefits. It helps one to relax, reduces stress and anxiety, and it can even improve sleep.

There are specific types of massages that work really well in the hot tub setting. It can begin with a gentle back scratching to help increase the circulation and stimulate the skin. One area of the body that receives a lot of tension throughout the day is the neck. This can affect the upper back and shoulders. To massage your upper back and neck, you can either do this alone or have someone that has joined you in the hot tub do it for you. What you want to do is interlock your hands and use the palms of your hand in the heel area to gently squeeze the neck and pulsate it. You don’t want to apply too much pressure, but just enough that you can feel some firm pressure.

One of the best massages for relaxing and allowing the muscles to unwind is the shoulder massage. When you are enjoying a muscle massage of the shoulders, if you tip your head to one side this helps to stretch the muscles of the shoulders and neck area. A gentle massage using the knuckles should bring some wonderful relief from the tension that is found in the shoulder area. Even a massage of the head does wonders to create a relaxed state.

Arms and hands are important to massage as well. Raising your arm and having your partner gently massage the arm starting at the wrist and working down to the forearm with a gentle squeezing motion feels fantastic. This encourages the immune system to function properly and helps to increase lymphatic flow.

At the end of the entire massage session, there is no doubt that you are going to feel totally relaxed and have enjoyed a great experience that massage brings, especially when it is combined with a hot tub session.

Athletes find a massage to be excellent following a sports activity as it helps to stretch their muscles and reduce soreness. For older people that have irritation from stiff joints and tight muscles, this is a great treatment. Hot tub massage is something that anyone can enjoy, while helping to reduce stress.

A hot tub provides a great deal of fun, relaxation and enjoyment. But, when you add some of the various hot tub accessories, you can really enhance your hot tub experience and customize it to your specific needs. There are many hot tub accessories to choose from and some are designed for convenience, while others enhance your pleasure. Let’s take a look at some of the options that are available.

Cover removers

You will want to keep your hot tub protected when not in use and you can do this with a quality hot tub cover. To make it convenient to easily remove your cover, you have a variety of cover removers that you can buy. You can get a standard cover remover or you can get the type that is mounted to your deck. Some even come with hydraulics for easy removal.

Spa steps

For an easy way to get in and out of your hot tub, spa steps are a great solution. There are many different types of steps that you can purchase that come in a variety of shapes and styles, as well as materials and colors. It’s just a matter of choosing the set of spa steps that goes best with your particular hot tub.

Pillows

Aside from convenience, there are many accessories that are going to add to your pleasure and enjoyment. One of the greatest benefits that a hot tub affords is the ability to be able to relax in the warm soothing circulating water. You will want to sink down and enjoy every moment of this and to add to your comfort there is a selection of pillows that you can choose from. These will give you the support that you need and add to your relaxation.

Ice buckets

When relaxing in your hot tub, many people like to enjoy some refreshments. To keep these cool and enjoyable, an ice bucket with a cover is ideal. There are many different types to choose from. You can even get a hot tub spa caddy, which sits on the side of the hot top and swivels in and out, so you can reach your refreshments easily.

Aromatherapy oils

Another great accessory for your hot tub is aromatherapy. There are specially designed oils that are compatible with the hot tub. It’s a matter of choosing those scents that appeal to you most as the aromatherapy oils each have the ability to create a specific sensation. You also want to use the proper diffuser.

These are just a few of the very common accessories that can really make your hot tub experience all the more enjoyable.

The great thing about preparing your hot tub for the cold weather is that it doesn’t mean that you have to close it up for the winter. Instead, you simply have to take some simple steps to protect it so you can utilize it during all seasons.

If you have decided that you don’t want to use your hot tub during the cold weather, you will need to winterize it. You have a couple of choices here. You can have your hot tub dealer perform this service for you or you can do it yourself.

If you are doing it yourself, you will need to begin by draining your hot tub entirely. Then, you want to take out the filter and clean the filter element. It is important that you have removed all of the water, which includes the water in the jet openings, the housing for the filter cartridge, and the foot well. You can do this by using a wet dry vacuum.

You are then going to want to add some antifreeze to the pump well, jet channels, the housing for the filter and the blower channels. Try to ensure that you are using antifreeze for RVs and that you do not use the automotive antifreeze. Also, when adding the antifreeze, add some to the bottom section drain, which will ensure that any water that may be trapped there in the false floor of the hot tub will not freeze.

Once you have added the antifreeze, you want to turn on the pump to circulate this. It only takes a few seconds. You want to make sure that you disconnect all the unions that are in the support equipment area.

When looking at your pump, you will see that there are some winter drain pump plugs. You will need to remove all of these plugs. The next thing you will need to do is look at the plumbing connections that are exposed. You want to protect these using plastic bags secured with duct tape. If it’s possible, you really should disconnect your hot tub support equipment and store this indoors.

Once you’ve completed all of the steps you can cover your hot tub with its safety hardcover and can even place a tarp to protect the hardcover itself. If you are in an area that receives snow throughout the winter months, make sure that you do not allow the snow to build up on the hot tub.

There are a lot of very important steps to winterizing your hot tub and you really should follow the specific manufacturer’s directions for doing this. You can also have professionals perform this service for you as you don’t want to miss a step or do it incorrectly, which could lead to some type of damage to your hot tub.