Category Archives: Swim Spa

In some parts of the country, the chemical composition of your water can have very detrimental effects on the water contained in your swim spa, pool and even hot tub.

The calcium and other elements found in hard water can cause your swim spa or hot tub equipment to become very gummed up, ineffective and can even cause the water to become scaly and slimy feeling.

These chemical elements can also cause unsightly stains to form on the swim spa or hot tub like the stains you can see form on your shower and bathtub if you happen to live in an area that suffers from this water borne chemical problem.

The stains and irregular feeling of the water when it is hard is a pain, but the bigger concern is the problems that the buildup of these calcium and other elemental deposits can cause in the scaling inside your swim spa or hot tubs plumbing.

The buildup of these elements can cause your equipment to be forced to work much harder to get the job done and can even limit the amount of water that can flow through the gummed up pipes and routes. This can and will lead to the premature failure of these pieces of equipment.

The fact remains also that hard water can have detrimental effect on your skin causing it to dry and prematurely age, while causing flaking, itchiness, hair dryness and even acne.

There are great products available at your local supply store that deal exactly with these problems at the root.

Anti-scaling products are designed to prevent the buildup of scale in the plumbing of your swim spa or hot tub, while helping to clean out any deposits that the hard water may have left behind.

Similarly, the products available on the market to help prevent any stains from hard water are great at helping to avoid any of the unsightly stains that can cause your beautiful swim spa or hot tub to look less than appealing to you.

Talk to your local spa dealer about your concerns and they will point you in the right direction to the products you may require in keeping your swim spa or hot tub in tip top shape now and for years to come.

One of the great benefits of a swim spa is the fact that they require less maintenance than a traditional or full sized pool requires.

One of the obvious reasons for this is due to the fact that a swim spa contains much less water than a full sized pool does. While this is great, the fact remains that we still need to take the proper steps to keep our swim spas clean and free from harmful water born bacteria and other detrimental pollution.

Just like a regular sized pool, the swim spa owner should check their water chemistry at least once to twice a week to ensure that all the levels are within the correct parameters. If any of the numbers are off, you should add whatever chemicals you need to get the levels to the correct amount. This alone will go a long way in ensuring that your water is clean and safe.

Cleaning out your skimmer baskets regularly is another task that must be performed regularly to make sure that they do not become bulked up with leaves or other items that can find their way into the spa.

Cleaning the hair and lint pot in the pump is another necessary step that you should do on a regular basis to make sure that it can operate properly and is not jam packed with stuff, allowing it to operate freely and unimpaired.

In addition to ensuring that the water is properly maintained from a chemical perspective, you also want to ensure to keep the water level at the proper height so the skimmers are able to do their job.

Cleaning all of your filters at least once every few months is very important as well. If you have experienced a storm in your area recently, you might want to give them a quick cleaning after the storm passes.

You should also give the area around your swim spa the same loving care you give to your swim spa itself. If you have any splintered areas on the deck or grout problems on the surrounding tiles, have them repaired as quickly as possible to prevent any injuries and to minimize the chance of them growing into bigger problems down the road.

The benefits of a swim spa far outweigh any maintenance that has to be performed but to enjoy them fully, you must keep on top of the minor amount of maintenance required.

After you have chosen your swim spa, the next step is to prepare for the delivery and installation of your new spa. A very important question to ask your swim spa dealer is if the price you are paying includes delivery, as well as installation. Be sure to get all the information you need to be fully informed as to what the price you are paying includes in order to avoid any negative experiences in your purchase.

Once that has all been determined, you will need to do some preparation work. In order to safely install the swim spa, there is a variety of things that need to be done in order to prepare for the delivery of your new spa. While a swim spa can be installed above ground or in-ground, the vast majority choose the above ground method because the cost is lower for that choice as opposed to the in ground version.

The installation of your above ground spa will require that a concrete pad approximately six inches thick is put in place to support the weight of the swim spa. This choice is much easier and cheaper than the in-ground method that requires excavation of the area with heavy equipment and labour.

After you have your base in place, you will need to ensure that you have all the necessary electrical hook ups that the swim spa will need to run properly and efficiently. If that is your responsibility according to the terms you have agreed to with your swim spa dealer, have a couple of licensed electricians or contractors come in and give you an estimate. Then, pick the best one or the one you feel the most comfortable with and have the work done.

You will also need to consider how you are going to get the spa into the yard. A forklift, if there is room, or a crane to lift it will be needed in most cases. Many dealers include this service in the sale price, but you need to be sure. If it is not included in the cost of the spa, make the arrangements yourself.

Once the spa has arrived and the final installation procedures are completed, there is nothing left to do but enjoy the benefits of your new swim spa.

Many people have realized the benefits of either purchasing a swim spa and having one installed or converting an existing pool into a swim spa. If you choose to convert a pool into a swim spa from scratch, there are some things you need to consider before heading out to the manufacturer or showroom to pick out one of the many great models that are available.

One of the main things to consider is the size and type of spa you can comfortably afford and realistically fit into the space you have available. The type of propulsion system is another factor that will need to be considered at some point before the sale as well. There are traditionally three types of propulsion systems that can be used in a swim spa. There are the jet propulsion systems, the paddlewheel system and the propeller system.

All three systems have similarities and some distinct differences, but all three do basically the same thing just in a different mechanical way. The Jet system is exactly what it sounds like – a motor propels the current through a pressure system, which can be directed into a specific current depending on the swimmers needs and desires. The paddlewheel system has a large paddle wheel that turns at various speeds to create a current that the swimmer swims or exercises against. The propeller system is very much like the paddlewheel in how it works and is similar to the jet system. The one downside to the paddlewheel system is that the paddlewheel creates a current that runs the length of the spa whereas the jet and propeller system can be directed to change the current to flow in a certain direction, which can be beneficial.

Choosing the right swim spa for you and your family is a very personal choice that depends on a lot of key choices. Propulsion systems, affordability, size and a host of other things are necessary to consider. Be sure to take your time and do some research to ensure that the answers you require are all met. Talk to your local retailer and be sure that you know everything you need to know before making your purchase.

As time goes on many more benefits of the swim spa seem to be surfacing. Swim spas are becoming well known for its ability to help to reduce general aches and pains, while offering a great form of exercise. One of the more recent discoveries is that water therapy is becoming instrumental in helping those with dementia.

Dementia is a widespread problem and the number of those suffering with it is continuing to grow. It is a debilitating illness that takes the joy out of the senior years. There are now some indications that exercise may be able to slow down the progress of Alzheimer’s, which is one of the many forms of dementia. What is even more important is that research is showing that if exercise is carried out through swimming and aerobics, it brings the greatest benefits.

There are continuous studies taking place regarding Alzheimer’s. One of the latest discoveries is that if high levels of a gene called BDNF can be found in the brain, exercise may help to slow down the progression of this disease. The outcome of some of the studies showed that participants in the study who had the highest BDNF levels were showing a 50% slower reduction of cognitive functions.

One of the factors that make this exciting news is that it comes without huge costs. All too often discoveries are made to help enhance one’s health or slow down the progression of a disease that ends up being very costly.

With exercise being a positive approach, especially in water, then the reasonable investment into a swim spa is well worth it. Another great advantage is that the swim spa doesn’t require a large amount of space for its installation. This means even those who have a small outdoor space can take advantage of it.

Perhaps, an additional benefit that hasn’t really been thought of is that using a swim spa to help those with dementia also helps to put them into a safe social setting. The swim spa is something the entire family can use, while spending some wonderful time with the senior who is struggling with this illness. It truly is a wonderful and positive approach to dealing with this ailment.

There are large amount of families who choose to install a pool in their yard or buy a house that has an existing pool. Eventually, they learn that the upkeep and maintenance costs are higher than anticipated. They may also come to the conclusion that the amount of time and effort that they have to invest is simply not worth the amount of time they get to enjoy the pool. When this occurs, what options are they left with? Should they fill in the pool or simply stop using it?

There is another option. One that will give you the great benefits that a pool offers, such as the full body workout and mental health. A swim spa is a smaller version of a pool that uses a propulsion system to create a current from one end that allows one to swim against the current just like they are swimming feely in a full size pool.

The added benefits of a swim spa is the fact that managing a swim spa is much easier and a whole lot less expensive than the upkeep on a full size pool. The fact that you have less water in a swim spa makes it much easier to keep the water at a very comfortable temperature level, which means that you will be able to use the swim spa for a much longer duration seasonally than you could with a full size pool.

The cost of switching from a full size pool to a swim spa would be recouped in just a few years by the savings on heating and maintenance. So, you get all the great benefits of swimming without the great expense and work that a full size pool requires.

When you do the math you quickly come to the conclusion that it makes a whole lot of sense to make the switch from a pool to a swim spa.

There are a wide variety of reasons why swimming is such a fantastic activity, such as the health benefits that can be realized from the amazing workout that swimming provides.

There has been much written about the benefits of teaching your kids to swim at the earliest possible age. Here are some of those benefits.

The single most important reason for teaching our children to swim at the earliest possible age is safety. In the world we live in, the simple fact is that our children are going to encounter water. Whether they are swimming in pools or natural bodies of water, they can and will be subjected to times where they are around water.

The biggest cause of accidental death among children under the ages of 5 years old is drowning. That is a staggering and sobering statistic. The absolute best way to ensure that they are safe around water is to teach them to swim.

The physical benefits mentioned above are also heightened by the mental health benefits and the confidence that learning to swim can provide to our children.

Studies have proven that the benefits of learning to swim go far beyond just the workout for the body. The cardiovascular benefits are incredible and the act of swimming enhances the use of the five senses in addition to helping build their coordination and strength.

Experts suggest that starting to teach your child to swim from birth is the best way to get them comfortable around the water, while giving them a lifelong love of swimming and all the benefits mentioned above.

By installing a swim spa, you can begin teaching the basics at the earliest possible age. The spa eliminates the need to travel and the hassle traveling can create. It also allows you to teach at your own pace.

You simply cannot put a price on the benefits that learning to swim will provide to your kids. And their love of the water will carry on for a lifetime!

When it comes to choosing your next swim spa, there are a lot of things that you want to keep in mind when making your choice. Swim Spas have a lot of benefits to them and they are something that can provide exceptional exercise, as well as relaxation and enjoyment for many years to come.

There are several manufacturers of swim spas that are available to you and one of the leading brands is Hydropool. While every manufacturer will focus on something that is unique about their brand, Hydropool has focused on developing the best swim spa on the market, while providing great value both short and long-term.

One of the areas that Hydropool really excels in is their attention to energy efficiency. They have implemented a HydroWise Thermal Shield Cover, which not only reduces the energy consumption that comes with the heating of the spa, but also helps the swim spa to retain its temperature. They have also made cleaning much easier by creating the only self cleaning spa in the world.

This manufacturer has really stepped up by offering several different swim spa models. In total, it has 12 in their lineup, which is comprised of three key types, including the Aqua Play, Aqua Sport and Aqua Trainer.

When choosing the swim spa that is going to best suit your family, there are a few things that you want to consider when making your choice among these selections. One of the greatest advantages that a swim spa offers is the ability to do various types of exercises. If you are taking a look at the Aqua Play, you are going to see that it has been well designed for cross training. It is compact and easily fits in to most areas as do the other models of swim spas. The spa comes with the standard safety steps, but you have the ability to upgrade these if you wish. Another great feature of the Aqua Play is that it is compatible with the different types of equipment that would be beneficial in cross training.

The Aqua Sport comes with seven different choices and is an ideal family orientated swim spa that allows for various forms of exercise, as well as swimming of course.

The Aqua Trainer comes with six different choices and is geared towards swimming up to advanced levels. No matter which of the Hydropool spas you decide on, you are going to find that it is going to meet all of your needs and expectations.

With the coming winter just around the corner, getting ready for the winter months by readying your swim spa properly is vital. There are different things you need to do to prepare your swim spa, hot tub or pool for the coming winter months regardless of whether you live in an area that gets snow or not.

The first step is to get all of the proper supplies you will need to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible. This will include all the relevant chemicals and any other items you may require. Next, add your chemicals to your spa water one at a time to balance the PH and alkalinity properly. Then, add your algaecide and then a chlorine free shock. It is recommended to add each chemical separately and let the filter run for about an hour before adding the next one. Next, thoroughly vacuum your pool and brush all the walls and the floor as best you can to make sure that the pool is as clean as it can be for closing.

The next step is to lower the water to about three inches below the skimmer. You can use a cover pump to get the level down or whatever method you prefer. Next, close up your skimmer properly and remove all your hoses and properly store them.

You will also want to “winterize” all of your equipment, including your pump and heater, especially if you experience temperatures that dip below freezing. Simply clean and thoroughly dry all your cleaning equipment, then store them indoors. It only takes a small amount of water left in your spa to freeze and cause great damage, so ensure it is properly emptied if you are not using it.

Next, cover your spa properly. Be sure to follow all of the manufactures recommendations in order to be sure that you spa is properly protected for the winter months.