Category Archives: Hot Tub

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.

Owning and keeping a hot tub in good shape doesn’t take a lot of time or money, but it does take a commitment on your part. Following a few simple steps can keep your maintenance to a minimum and allow you to spend more of your time enjoying what your hot tub has to offer!

Step 1: Keeping the Water Clean

(a) Preventative action is the best step toward clean water, and you can do this by making sure that it is kept free of debris and oils. Body oils can be greatly reduced by ensuring that everyone takes a shower prior to using your hot tub.

(b) Choosing the location of where you have your hot tub installed is important, as you don’t want it close to an area where dust from the roads or debris from trees and bushes will make it difficult to keep clean. This is a great reason for using a good quality hot tub cover.

(c) The filtration system is critical in assisting you with keeping your water clean from a lot of the contaminants that can affect the water but are difficult to see with the naked eye. Aside from buying a high-quality spa which should possesses a good filtration system, your responsibility will be to clean and change the filters as necessary. On a weekly basis, rinse your filter by running it under warm water. Once a month, give filters a good cleaning with appropriate filter cleaning products.

Step 2: Keeping the Water Balanced

(a) You should strive to keep the water components of your home spa perfectly balanced. You will find it much easier to keep it balanced than to bring it back to its optimized condition.

(b) Your concern is keeping the pH balanced, and with a good pH testing kit and the proper chemicals you can keep the water chemistry in good condition.

(c) When you are choosing your chemicals, most professionals prefer to use bromine rather than chlorine simply because bromine is kinder to your tub cover.

Step 3: Changing the Water

(a) You may reach a point where it is quicker and easier to completely replace the water than to try to reverse issues that have arisen, especially when the hot tub is being used frequently. This is a little more time consuming than the preventative and ongoing treatments and monitoring, but it is worth it. Some people make it a habit of changing the water every three months, whereas others will do it more frequently, if necessary.

There are many additional steps you can take to optimize your hot tub water, but if you don’t want to take on this responsibility then you can always arrange to have our experts here at The Hot Tub and Swim Spa Company do the job for you. There are several options to choose from such as weekly, fortnightly, monthly and yearly. These services include additional maintenance measures outside of the water optimization.

While there is no reason why you can’t have your hot tub indoors, many people enjoy having their hot tub in an outdoor setting. There are several factors you want to consider when choosing the one that is right for you! Let’s take a look at some of the things to take into consideration.

The Starting Point

Many people wonder if they should pick the spot for the hot tub first or if they should pick the brand and model first, then find a spot for it. You may want to review the areas that you have available that will accommodate a hot tub first, while determining the largest and most appropriate space available for your hot tub. This will help you avoid the disappointment of choosing one that you cannot house properly.

How Important is Size?

Naturally, you may be thinking that if you are going to go through the time and expense of purchasing a hot tub that bigger is better. It is well worth giving this some real thought as a top quality hot tub is going to last you for many years, so you want to think of the future as well. If you have young children now, your hot tub will not be of much interest to them, but it certainly will as they get older. Also, while you are considering all of its benefits to you on a personal level, don’t forget that it is something that you can enjoy with friends and family. So, you want it to be big enough to accommodate additional people. Your choices can range from seating three people right up to ten people.

The Quality

If you are new to hot tubs, you will soon discover that it has many benefits in terms of both therapy and entertainment. You want to spend a little extra money to buy a good brand, such as a Hydropool hot tub. This is going to allow you to really discover all that hot tub has to offer, with few hassles in regards to maintenance and repairs. Good quality also means reliability when it comes to components, like the power efficiency and pump performance.

The Features

There are so many features that are available to you, which make selecting the right hot tub a fun and interesting experience. We talked about size and seating, but there are other important features to consider, like the self-cleaning feature. This feature enables you to spend less time taking care of your hot tub and more time enjoying it. Plus, it ensures that your water is providing a healthy environment. You want to rely on a reputable hot tub sales representative that can explain the benefits of the various features as well, such as the number of jets and the positioning of the jets.

Rely on Experience

When you are going to buy a hot tub or any other large item for the home, you really want to know you are making the right choice. If you have limited knowledge of hot tubs, be sure to rely on an established dealer who has experienced staff on hand to answer all of your questions, determine your needs, and offer you a good selection that you can choose from.

If you have any questions at all, contact us today or simply leave a comment below!

Everyone enjoys a holiday and, for most working people, a week or two off only comes once a year. But, a hot tub can provide a mini vacation whenever you want or need it!

When one thinks about booking time for a vacation to some wonderful far away place, it usually takes at least three days before they unwind enough to completely enjoy this relaxing time. For those that have chosen to add a hot tub to their home, they really do have an advantage.

Total Water Emersion

One of the important factors when planning a retreat is the thought of warmth. This is why most people opt for a warm climate when choosing a vacation destination. With a hot tub in your home, you never have to be concerned about your environment. You can totally immerse your body in a pool of hot water set to the perfect temperature that suits you best.

Lay Back and Enjoy

Lounging is always key to being able to let your body unwind, and good quality hot tubs will not disappoint you there. When you are ready to step into your hot tub, it should have the right ergonomics to allow you to sit and relax in total comfort.

Water Massage Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

With any vacation package, one of the real perks is having a massage, and this is not something you need to give up with your mini vacations! You will find that you have lots of options when it comes to the number of jets that you want in your hot tub, which provide you with a warm water massage and the ultimate enjoyment.

Vacation Ambiance

Your surroundings are important when you are relaxing, and hopefully you have chosen a secluded spot for your hot tub. Having built-in LED lighting on your hot tub allows you to add a little more ambience to your surroundings in the evening.

The Non-Stop Mini Vacation

By taking the time to have a mini vacation in your home hot tub, just think of the money you are saving. No flights, no hotel rooms, and no having to wait until your holiday time arrives. You can have a mini vacation whenever and for as long as you want. This is just one way of getting the most out of what a hot tub has to offer.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. We are here to help!

Once you have your hot tub installed, you will be excited about putting it to use. Once it’s up and running, it’s worth taking the time to book professional servicing to ensure that it’s well maintained for years to come!

If you live close enough to a professional hot tub service provider, you can take advantage of the many different types of service packages that are available. Ideally, when purchasing this type of unit, find out the distance that the company will travel to provide maintenance service. Maintenance requirements will depend on the hot tub you have and how often it is used.

Regular Servicing

One of the priorities of regular servicing is ensuring that the hot tub is cleaned properly. This includes cleaning of the filter, strainer baskets, spa shell and floor, as well as the water line. By keeping these items clean, the water will remain stable. You also want to ensure that your spa water is cleaned and sanitized before it is properly balanced with the right chemicals. At times, the water will need to be shocked and then followed with a water clarifier, which allows the water to be sparkling clean.

During servicing, the professionals will also check and adjust the jets as necessary, as well as take preventative actions to ensure that the hot tub is properly filtered. While it may seem like a big task, it comes easy for the pros because they do it all the time. They will also advise you on how often your hot tub should be serviced.

Extended Care

You may soon discover that regular maintenance is something that you can easily do yourself, and all of the required chemicals are easily purchased. However, there will be times where extended care is required, and this may be something you would want the hot tub service providers to handle.

Extended care typically includes full draining of the hot tub, including its hoses and pipes, as well as flushing the pipes with a commercial cleaner and checking all major components of the system. Many packages even include cleaning of the hot tub cover and accessories to ensure that the hot tub looks great!

Yearly Requirements

Once a year, you may want to give some serious thought to calling in the hot tub service experts to give your unit a top to bottom cleaning and inspection. This servicing focuses on the inspection of the pumps, lighting, filtration systems, and a review of how the jets are functioning. During this once a year servicing, each and every hydro jet should be removed and cleaned, including their housings. Once the unit is refilled with the water, it should be treated and balanced. These are typically the highlights of a yearly hot tub cleaning and inspection. You will have peace of mind knowing that your hot tub is in peak condition!

Please leave a comment below if you have any comments or questions. We are happy to answer any questions you may have!

Anything that can have a positive impact on one’s health is certainly a good thing. But, when it is combined with additional pleasures, like those that come with using hot tub, it’s a real bonus! Below you will find both the short and long-term effects that a hot tub can have on your health!

Short Term Effects:

Melting Stress Away

One of the biggest problems with stress is that we readily accept it as a way of life and, for many of us, we don’t even recognize when our body is being adversely affected by it. Many people say that their body feels different the moment they slip into a hot tub. It seems like all the tightness and tension decreases. This is one of the first and most immediate benefits that people experience when using a hot tub.

A Sense of Awareness

With the busy lifestyles that most of us have, it’s easy to lose sight of the little things that go on around us. Just being able to take the time to listen to the sounds of nature or enjoy the beauty of the night stars is rare for many of us. When you have a hot tub in your yard, you get to enjoy these small elements in life that are so relaxing.

Rejuvenation

While we often put relaxation at the top of the want list, hot tubs can actually create the opposite in a good way. It can rejuvenate you by releasing many of the negative effects that are taking place in your body, like the day-to-day aches and pain, stress and tension, and even fatigue. You may find that once all of this leaves your body and you step out of the water, you are ready to take on the world in a renewed and refreshed way.

Long Term Effects:

While the short term effects only seem to last for a limited amount of time because we have to jump right back into our regular lifestyle, consistent use of a hot tub can also lead to long term improvements in health.

Faster Recognition of Stress

Once you have really tuned into the physical effects stress is having on your body, you will recognize these signs quickly and be able to take measures to prevent and reduce the stressors.

Better Long Term Sleep

You may very well find that when you use a hot tub at the end of a long hard day, it relaxes you and prepares you for a good night’s sleep. Repeating this experience will surely help you feel more rested and equipped to handle the day’s events.

When You Look Good, You Feel Good

The emotional effects that a hot tub can offer you can really help improve your appearance, as you will look less stressed and more relaxed.

These are just a few of the many benefits that hot tubs provide and you will surely discover many more. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below or contact us today!

Whether you want to call them hot tubs or an indoor spa, they a real hot item for many homeowners throughout the UK for more reasons than one. Many of you can remember a specific time when you and some friends spent time socializing in a hot tub and as much as you enjoyed their company, what really stands out is that fantastic feeling of slipping into the warm water of the spa.

For some this memory may come from your last vacation where you had the opportunity to just kick back and relax. What many people are realizing is that you can really have this very same experience in the comfort of your own home and this is why hot tubs are on the rise in the UK.

Great for family and entertaining!

Whether you are single, a couple, or have a family, a hot tub is a fantastic way to spend quality time with friends, loved ones, and family. It’s a great place to entertain and, if you have kids, it will give you the opportunity to spend more time with them without having to take them out all of the time to show them a good time.

Turn back the clock!

As we get older, we acquire a lot of things some which are good like memories and experiences, and some that are not so good like aches and pains. Many of us have come to learn to roll out of bed in the morning with a grimace as we try to work the kinks out of our body. For many hot tub owners they now wake up with a smile because those aches and pains were left in their spa the night before.

A simple way to relax

We all know that stress has become common place in our lives and with it comes many side effects both physically and mentally. Soaking in a tub that has been specifically designed to allow one to become fully immersed in hot soothing water can help you ward off the side effects and become more mentally calm.

While these are some of the perks that come with owning a hot tub, there are several other benefits. If you have any questions about hot tubs, please leave a comment below. We would be happy to help!

While price is always an important factor when making any type of purchase, it should not be the main priority when buying your first hot tub. Here are a few things to consider!

Where is the location?

Like many hot tub users, you may want to position your hot tub outdoors. If this is the case, take the time to determine the most ideal and convenient spot for it. The one major requirement will be a solid foundation, such as a cement pad or a solid deck. If you have kids, you may want to keep it away from their play area, so you can enjoy time both together and separately!

Where is your power source?

When choosing your location, you also want it to be near a power source that can accommodate the hot tub. Discuss this requirement with a spa dealer, who will advise you on the power needs as they pertain to the different hot tubs that you may be interested in.

What are the legal requirements?

Residential areas may have their own specific laws and rules regarding outdoor water features, so check in your area to see if there are any regulations that pertain to owning a hot tub.

Compare your options.

While you are looking at the different hot tubs that are available to you, compare each of them according to the features they offer that are going to be most important to you. For some buyers, they are most interested in size as they are really looking forward to sharing the spa experience with family and friends. For others, its features, like the number of jets and lighting. As a family or couple, you may have some different opinions as to which hot tub is the right choice for your lifestyle needs. That’s why there are several models available. Take the time to visit the showroom with the family to make a group decision.

Think about the future as well.

When you are buying a good quality spa, you can look forward to many years of enjoyment and relaxation. This means that you may want to give some thought to your future use as well. If you have a growing family, for example, you will soon discover that they want to use it with the family and with their friends. This means that you really want to consider size.

Know the credibility of the company you are buying from.

Where you make your purchase is just as important as the brand of hot tub that you buy.

While you may have done some research into buying a hot tub, you want to get honest advice that you can rely on from a reputable, well-established company.

Warranty and Service.

When you deal with a good pool, spa and hot tub company, you should be getting the best warranty available. You also want a to select a company that can properly service and maintain your hot tub, so it functions the way it was designed to for years to come!

There are many more things to consider when purchasing a hot tub. Feel free to come down to our showroom to learn more or contact us if you have any questions at all!