Author Archives: Christina Mantoura

Once you have a hot tub installed in your home and start putting it to good use, there probably won’t be a day that you won’t want to use it. Hot tubs have so many benefits that the majority of people who get to use one often compliment on how it helps them to feel better physically and mentally.

There may be some instances where you should refrain from using your hot tub, and this is when you are dealing with health issues. If you have a cold or flu, it’s probably a good idea to wait until it passes to use the hot tub. Sometimes for various reasons people suffer from diarrhea, and even though they don’t feel generally ill, it is not wise to use your hot tub. The cause of your problem could be simply because you ate the wrong thing, or it could be bacterial. You don’t want to take a chance of transmitting germs in the hot tub.

If you are pregnant, make sure to ask your doctor about using your hot tub and follow his or her advice.

One of the benefits that comes with a hot tub that it’s a lot of fun! It is not uncommon for hot tub owners to invite guests over to spend some time relaxing together. You want to use common sense in avoiding any potential health issues. Of course, you are not going to come right out and ask your guests if they are healthy or have diarrhea, yet because you know it is not wise to allow people with these conditions into your hot tub, it can be a little perplexing to make this known. A simple solution to this is to post a small, attractive and easily readable sign concerning hot tub use near your unit.

Ideally, you or your guests should not use your hot tub if they have open sores or wounds, or any type of skin rash. Pre- hot tub showering for everyone should be a rule of use, and will help to keep your water healthy and fresh.

Finally, you should know that you should not use your hot tub after adding chemicals until the water has been properly tested. Naturally, you should be unlikely to make use of the hot tub if the water doesn’t look pristine and clear.

There are not too many reasons that can prevent you from using your hot tub, but knowing when you should not use it will ensure that your hot tub experiences are always happy ones.

In the past, one of the main things that prevented people from buying a hot tub was the problem of maintaining it. When they first came on the market, it is true that there were a fair amount of maintenance and servicing requirements and problems to be dealt with. However, with advancements in modern technology, many of these requirements and problems have been eliminated. Most problems that surface these days can be easily avoided.

Water Issues

Cloudy water or algae formation:

One of the common problems that may arise is issues with the water. Some complain that the water is cloudy, or they have to deal with algae. These are easily prevented and corrected with a little bit of maintenance and using the proper treatment chemicals.

If lack of chemical additions and water balancing doesn’t solve the problem, another area to focus on is the filter itself. Many people fail to realise that the filter itself needs regular cleaning, and comes with instructions for the specific model of hot tub.

Foaming:

Some people are surprised to see foaming in the hot tub. Some may think it was caused by their chemicals or cleaning agents, yet that may not be the case at all–especially if you have used the proper products as recommended. Foaming can be a result of the residue that comes off the skin of the users, such as body lotion. To help reduce this, have users take a quick shower first before using the hot tub. Otherwise, it could be a soft water issue for which there are anti-foam products. If you do decide to use an anti-foam agent, make sure you follow the directions, because adding too much can create the previous problem we talked about concerning cloudy water.

Slime and odor:

Nobody likes to get into a hot tub where the sides and bottom feel slimy or the water has an odor to it. Aside from not keeping up with the maintenance regime to keep the water balanced and clean, it could be the result of a water circulation problem. You want to make sure that the hot tub system is in good working order, so you may consider servicing to make sure.

The water in your hot tub is the main feature, and to continue enjoying your hot tub, it is important to prevent and correct any water problems you notice as soon as possible. Keeping up with your maintenance and having the proper chemicals on hand will allow you to address any water problems quickly and effectively.

Now that you have had your hot tub installed and you are ready to begin using it, there are a few things that you want to keep in mind. You are going to have to follow a maintenance routine and have regular servicing as suggested. You may also want to invest in a hot tub cover if your unit did not include one for several good reasons, which we explore below.

First of all, you want to have to do the least amount of maintenance as possible so that you can spend your time enjoying your new home addition! After all, the purpose of buying a hot tub is so you can fully enjoy it and not just have another thing to clean around the home. While a good quality unit requires very little care -(as many models are conveniently self-cleaning) you can help it along by keeping it free from debris and the elements, especially if it has been installed outdoors and is not being protected by any enclosures.

Keeping the hot tub clean also helps to maintain the heat of the water, which means you spend a lot less time having to adjust the temperature. Plus, you are not wasting money constantly having to bring the water up to temperature.

Not only does the cover cut down on your maintenance, but it can also ward off serious problems that require repair services. This could be because of debris damaging your filter system.

In order to get the most out of your hot tub cover, it will require a small amount of care itself. Of course, you want to make sure that it is kept clean. You may discover that all of the debris that it is preventing from getting into your water unit is now accumulating on the top of your cover. Occasionally you will want to clean your cover, and what compounds you use to do this will depend on the material that the cover is made of. It could be vinyl or wood, and most likely came with its own instructions for cleaning.

Your hot tub is going to bring you many years of wonderful pleasure, so you want to take good care of it! Having a high-quality cover will assist you in doing this.

Whenever you are going to make a major purchase for your home, the first question you usually ask yourself is: what are the benefits? Purchasing a hot tub is definitely no exception, and with all of the benefits you’ll experience, you’ll have no trouble answering that question!

Let’s talk about hot tub therapy

Yes, you can look at your hot tub as a means for some great therapy, both physically and mentally. Just the thought of being able to get away from the hassles of life and soaking in some wonderfully warm water, perhaps on a starlit night – now that’s what we’re talking about! And as enticing as this sounds, the benefits go far beyond this. Just take a look back in history and you will see that hot water served many purposes when it came to health and wellness. The father of medicine, Hippocrates himself prescribed this as a worthy treatment for various ailments. While our ancestors may not have had the convenient access in the form of the hot tubs that we have today, the benefits found way back then are still supported by modern day studies of today.

Living better and living longer

Being able to soothe aches and pains and reduce your stress aids in allowing you to live longer. It has been commonly said that “stress is a killer”. Some studies have shown that immersing yourself up to your neck in warm water is good for your cardiovascular system.

Feel better, look better

When you feel rested and rejuvenated, which is another benefit of the hot tub, you will automatically look better, too. Nobody likes to look tired or run down. Soaking in a hot tub prior to turning in for the night can also assist with providing a good night’s sleep. As an added bonus, if you have stiff joints and muscles they will become relaxed in the hot tub, so you won’t have to deal with discomfort as you are trying to drift off to sleep.

Indirect weight loss

Losing a few pounds is something a lot of us are interested in, but not many people think about how a hot tub could possibly assist with this. A study once showed that for some people who soaked in a spa for 30 minutes each day for 6 days a week were able to lose weight more easily. This particular study utilized individuals who suffered with type 2 diabetes.

While we have focused on some pretty significant benefits of the hot tub, let’s not forget about the pure pleasure of just sitting around in a wonderfully warm body of water with a few friends and enjoying some great company and conversation!

Having a hot tub doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of time keeping it in prime condition. So go ahead and put it to good use, and just follow these quick tips for keeping it maintained.

First, set up a plan for keeping your hot tub optimized year-round, considering daily, weekly and periodic maintenance. It may sound like a lot of work, however, if you stick to the plan you will find that maintenance goes quickly and smoothly!

On a Daily Basis

Water quality is the main priority here. Part of the enjoyment that comes with the hot tub is the clean, inviting water you see as you are about to step into it. The water should have the proper pH levels and be properly sanitized, which can both be checked easily with good quality test strips. Often, you will find that nothing needs to be done, but if there are indicators that the pH or sanitization are not up to par then you will need to treat the water accordingly. This takes just a few minutes each day, and by keeping up with this, you are going to avoid potential problems such as scale build up and unsightly water.

Once a Week

You need to follow the manufacturer’s directions when it comes to shocking your hot tub. This is normally done with your chosen sanitizer which may be chlorine or bromine. A common problem that some hot tub owners experience is foaming, but this is easily corrected with the proper amount of foam reducer. The components of the water that you use to fill your hot tub may need some adjusting as well. Some water contains higher amounts of calcium and minerals which can lead to scaling in the tub, but again there are some great products on the market to easily correct this and bring your water to the proper levels. If you don’t tend to this, you are going to run into potential problems with the pumps and hoses and even scale buildup on the tub walls.

Throughout the Year

Your specific water conditions and how often you use your hot tub will determine the periodic maintenance that is required. Even if you have had no need to provide a de-scaling treatment to your water, you may want to do this once or twice a year anyway to quickly handle small amounts of mineral residue. The main filter of the unit should be cleaned at least a few times a year. Your owner’s manual should give you specific details about cleaning the filter. You should also completely replace the water several times a year to ensure optimal water conditions.

The time it takes to perform these maintenance tasks is minimal, and by capitalizing on preventive measures, you can avoid unnecessary corrective measures and repairs.