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How to Stop Hot Tub Foaming

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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.

Hot Tub Aromatherapy Increases Relaxation

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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

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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.

Understanding Hot Tub Chemistry

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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 – 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.

How to Extend the Life of Your Hot Tub

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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.

Choosing the Right Hot Tub Cover

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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.

Hot Tub Massage Tips

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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.

Choosing the Right Hot Tub Accessories

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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.

Preparing your Hot Tub for the Cold Weather

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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.