 So you’re getting a hot tub? With your weekend plans all set, all you have to do is to install the equipment and soak in the relaxing warm water. But contrary to what you think, putting up a hot tub on your deck entails some hazards. To help you with hot tub deck designs plans, we discussed some of the do’s and don’ts to ensure that you will enjoy your tub to the fullest. Choose the location correctlyWhen it comes to a modern hot tub design, location is the most important thing you have to think about. It’s better if you will place the tub as closest to your home as possible. This way, you wouldn’t have to deal with additional wiring. Also, during the cold season, you’d want your hot tub to be a hop away from your door. It will also save you from shoveling snow just to enjoy a hot dip. Remember that a hot tub installed far away from your doorstep is rarely used. Aside from that, make sure that your hot tub will not obstruct any entryway. A spot with a good view of your yard is also a good choice. Get the right materialsHot tubs don’t come cheap, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to skimp on the installation material. Your deck should be strong enough to handle the weight of the tub as well as the people who will use it. Aside from weight capacity, you have to factor in the moisture. Your deck surface will be soaked, so make sure that the materials you’ll use aren’t prone to rot and decay. Also, opt for treated wood so it wouldn’t become a harborage of pests. Western Red Cedar is the best choice since it looks beautiful and resists most wood-boring insects. Think thrice before opting for recessed installationHot tubs can be recessed halfway under your deck. This may seem like a cool option, but you should think thrice before doing so. A sunken hot tub deck design is challenging to repair. You would have to pull it up when damages occur for proper inspection and repair. Also, this is costly, not to mention a big hassle for you. Aside from that, you should always make room for tech support. If you are to recess the tub, make sure that the side panels of the deck are removable for easy access. Also, you wouldn’t want to make it easy for a toddler to get into the tub when no one is watching. Don’t forget about the neighborLastly, never forget about your neighbors. When designing your deck for a hot tub, don’t forget to place a pergola or a screen to keep your privacy. You can also use this installation to add aesthetics to your deck. ConclusionDesigning your deck for a hot tub should always be based on functionality and quality. It would be best if you consider some aspects so you will enjoy your tub safely and for a long time.
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 Hot tubs come in different shapes and sizes. Aside from that, you can also choose between two designs: in-ground or portable. Both of these installation designs are useful, but you have to consider some aspects before getting one for your home. Some of it includes the price, feasibility, convenience, and other things concerning your property. Below, we discussed the differences between the two hot tub designs and layouts to help you decide which one suit you well: Benefits of in-ground spasIn-ground spas look like typical swimming pools. In fact, about half of all in-ground swimming pools nowadays have an integrated spa system. There are benches around it, so the spa is usually circular in shape. The benefit of in-ground spas is it has more open seating slots. It doesn’t require a cover, which is a big saver than portable tubs. Also, if the in-ground spa was installed beside a pool, a spillover effect can be done to heat the nearby pool. Lastly, in-ground spas are visually appealing and highly aesthetic. It can complement a beautiful landscape really well, especially for those with a large space. Disadvantages if in-ground spasOn the other hand, in-ground spas have some downsides. First of all, it’s much expensive than portable hot tubs. And since it’s larger, it has very minimal jet therapy, which can be a deal-breaker for those who are getting a tub just for this sole purpose. Maintenance and operation of this spa are also costly every month. And when damages occur, you have to prepare your pocket for more expenses. Benefits of portable hot tubsOn the other hand, portable hot tubs are convenient since it has a lower upfront cost. Also, you can use it even if you don’t have ample space for an in-ground spa. And if damages occur, portable hot tubs are much cheaper and easier to repair. Moreover, there are more jet options in this piece of equipment. It’s also energy-efficient and can be controlled using a mobile device. Portable hot tubs are also intimate options and one of the favorites during parties. It’s always hot and ready, so everyone can enjoy consistent temperature and clean water. With the best above ground hot tub, you can also integrate sound systems into a portable tub for a more immersive and relaxing experience. Disadvantages of portable hot tubsStill, portable hot tubs aren’t one without some disadvantages. First of all, it requires a cover, which has to be replaced every 3 to 5 years. Also, if you decide to install the tub recessed into your deck, it would be challenging to repair. Portable hot tubs are also smaller and will last shorter than an in-ground spa, depending on the frequency of use. ConclusionThe answer to inground hot tub vs above ground depends on your needs and preferences. Just make sure that you weigh the pros and cons well so your money will not go to waste. Whatever your choice is, it would surely help you relax.
 Hot tubs are excellent equipment for relaxation. You can also integrate it into your regular routines as part of a healthy lifestyle. Soaking your sore body in a hot tub will help ease stress and pains. It’s a very useful piece of equipment that you can enjoy with your family. With the undeniable health benefits of a hot tub at home, it’s easy to make it complement your healthy lifestyle. Hot tubs help you fall asleepIf you are finding it hard to sleep, soaking for a few minutes in your hot tub will help a lot. The warm water will help wind down your mind and energy. It’s beneficial, especially on chilly days. Many people use their hot tub as a pre-bedtime ritual. The only thing you can do inside a hot tub is to relax and let your tensioned body loosen up. This slow and mellow transition will help you fall asleep in just a few minutes. After a hot tub, you can also drink hot milk or tea to relax your body further. This is surely a great way to combat insomnia. It’s a healthy form of relaxationDo you want to relax healthily? If so, take a dip in your hot tub. It’s a great motivation to quit your vices so you will have a healthier life. Benefits of hot tub therapy will also help you jumpstart your day if you feel a little groggy and lazy. And if you have a massive hangover, soaking in a hot tub will help you shake the feeling away. You can also add a small amount of peppermint oil on the tub to reduce your headache. It helps you recover from exerciseThere are also many hot tub benefits after the workout. After a tiring session at the gym, you can take a dip to start your recovery. It’s a great way to ease sore muscles and joints. You can also use your hot tub as a pre-exercise routine to prepare your body for the strenuous training. The jets will give your body a massage, which is an excellent addition to your warm-ups. You simply have to tweak the placements of the hydro jets to target your muscles well. After every dip, you will come out more relaxed and less sore. It improves circulationOne of the main benefits of hot tubs is it boosts the circulation in your body. This is the reason why it’s effective in alleviating muscle and joint pain. For those with edema, soaking in a hot tub is a great way to flush out the trapped fluids. This benefit will complement your overall wellness. It’s also a great way to help reduce the pain due to arthritis, tendonitis, and other similar conditions. ConclusionHot tubs offer a lot of health benefits. It helps reduce body pain by boosting blood circulation. It’s a safe and convenient way to relax and beat your stress. Paired with a healthy diet and lifestyle, hot tubs will be your go-to spot every night.
 We all know that hot tubs help a lot in relaxing and healing our bodies. But the question is this: when should I use it, before or after a workout? You can actually dip in a hot tub both before and after a workout. The hot water will warm up your muscles while the hot tub benefits after workout will help your body heal from the strenuous training. The key here is knowing how to use the tub and how to perform your exercises properly. This way, your body won’t be overused. Soaking in a hot tub before a workoutBefore you head to the gym or perform your home workout, you can take a 15-minute dip in your hot tub. It will increase the blood flow in your body to make your muscles are more relaxed and stretchy. This will help reduce the risk of injuries while making it easy for you to perform your routines. Aside from that, the warm temperature complements your warm-up drills. This is very useful during winter when your joints and muscles are all tight due to the temperature. Still, hot tubs are not a substitute for proper stretching. It’s only a complementary treat that you can enjoy before your exercise. You should always stay hydrated when using a hot tub before exercise. This will keep you in shape as you work out. Using a hot tub after a workoutAfter your workout drill, you can also take a dip in the hot tub. However, you should let your muscles and heart rate cool down first before you do so. For your safety, it’s best to let your body recover for at least 36 hours before taking a hot tub dip. This way, your body will not be overused by the high temperatures of workout you’ve done on the same day. A hot tub session will help ease your sore muscles by boosting the circulation in your body. A hot tub or sauna after workout is an excellent complementary treatment to help your body recover. Nothing beats relaxing on warm water after flexing your muscles on a tough workout. Additional remindersAs much as hot tubs are safe, you should keep in mind some tips when using it as a pre and post-workout ritual. First of all, you must stay hydrated. Dipping into the warm water will increase your perspiration, which means you’re losing fluids in your body even before you work out. Aside from that, never dive into the hot tub right after your workout ended. Let your body cool down for several hours first to prevent any adverse effects. If it’s a hard workout, you must wait for at least a day or more before taking a dip. ConclusionHot tubs help condition your body before working out while it also aids your muscle recovery afterwards. As long as you know how to use the equipment, you will enjoy its benefits. Remember to stay hydrated and to perform necessary stretches to have a safe and rewarding workout drill.
 Your hot tub's cover serves as a shield against outdoor elements. Over time, it will sustain damages that will require a replacement. But the question is this: how long do spa covers last and when should I change it? Below, we listed some tell-tale signs to help you decide if it's time to get a new one. Take note that the frequency of use, installation area, type of tub, and other factors will affect the lifespan of a spa cover. The key here is regular inspection and repairing minor problems as it arises. There are obvious damages on the spa coverRegardless of the types of hot tub covers, one of the guaranteed signs that it needs replacement is physical damage. Large cracks, stitching coming off the material, fading color, and tears are signs of regular wear. You should consider changing your spa cover at this point. If not, your hot tub will fail to receive ample protection against outdoor elements. Wear and tear will damage your hot tub, which causes more expensive repairs. The cover absorbs waterWaterlogging is also a sign that your spa cover is no longer efficient in protecting your tub. This happens when the vapor barriers are already dysfunctional that it lets water get into the foam layer. And as the foam absorbs moisture, molds, mildew, and bacterial growth will ensue. This is very dangerous for your health, especially those with respiratory problems. Once your spa covers absorb water, it would be difficult to reverse the damage. The cover became too heavyDoes your spa cover feel way heavier than its original weight? It may have absorbed large amounts of water and dirt already. At this point, the cover will start to cup as the heavy load pulls the material down. The corners of the cover will lift away from its shell, which will result in further damages. Take note that you should replace a cupped spa cover because it will likely break the tub's edge seal. When this happens, steam will escape, and your tub will have less heat while in use. The tub cover is already saggingSagging is a sign of waterlogging and extreme wear and tear. If the cover is installed correctly but still sags, you should consider having a replacement. Water might be causing some spots of the cover to become lopsided. Also, the uneven surface may take its toll on the seal of the hot tub's edge. There's a foul smell coming off the coverLastly, if there's a foul smell coming off the material, you should consider buying a spa cover for replacement. This means that bacteria, molds, mildew, and other organisms have overtaken the spa cover. Such smell will only become worse, so don't dismiss it as a mere case of off-gassing.
Trapped water will start to form a bad smell, which will also compromise the cleanliness of your hot tub. When that happens, your filter will waste away faster, and your hot tub will become less appealing to use.  One of the most important components of hot tubs is its filters. The best hot tub filter system will keep the water clean even if multiple people are using it at a time. Like most filters, it works by trapping dirt so it will not recirculate on the water. Still, hot tub filters aren’t made equal. The following are some of the things you need to know: They differ on filter system typeHot tub filters come in a variety of filter system types. Each type has a different configuration which filters out contaminants in different processes. There are two main types of filter systems: Pressure type - In this system, the filter cartridge is much smaller and not usually found in most modern tubs. This system is much durable against pressure and does not require frequent maintenance. Suction type - This filtration system is the most common type you’ll see on modern tubs. It’s mounted on the top of the tub so users will enjoy easy access. The trade-off here is that you have to perform regular maintenance to keep the filters functional. Filtration cycles vary as wellThe filtration cycle of a hot tub refers to the amount of water that passes through its filters within a specific time. Usually, this is measured by minutes. The higher the filtration cycle is, the more efficient the cleaning process will be. Modern hot tub filtration systems can filter twice the amount of water than old models. Circulation pumps play an important roleA circulation pump is a secondary pump which is responsible for running small amounts of water to the filtration system. This is separate from the jet pump and main pump. Circulation pumps continue to run even if you turn the tub off. It keeps the water clean all day long instead of just letting the water stand. This pump is essential, especially if you can’t use your hot tub for several days. Control systems differ on each tubControl systems are the portion you navigate to change the settings of the filtration system. It usually has panel anywhere on the tub so you can easily access the features of the equipment in a few clicks and press of a button. During heavier baths, you may need to increase the filtration cycle of the hot tub. With the control system, you can change the filtration cycle of the filters as well as turn the jets off. If your tub has a pH level control, the control system will also let you change the settings for that. Replacement/cleaning mattersMost hot tub filters last for years. Still, you will need to replace the filter material to prevent the dirt from recirculating. If your tub has a paper filter, it should be replaced every 2 to 3 years, depending on its frequency.
Meanwhile, a more modern TRI-X Ceramic Filter can last for up to 6 years before it requires replacements. Even if you are not replacing your filters, inspecting the filtration system from time to time is advisable.  Hot tubs are complicated pieces of equipment. If something goes wrong, it can be challenging to go through an entire hot tub maintenance checklist. But thanks to the new technologies nowadays, maintaining and repairing a hot tub just got easier. Your tub can sustain stains, cracks, scratches, leaks, electronic failure, and other problems. In this case, you need the help of professionals for a long-lasting and guaranteed fix. The fun and relaxation don’t have to stop just because of hot tub problems. You can now manage it easier and with fewer headaches with the following technologies: Remote hot tub monitoringChecking the temperature and setting of your hot tub just got easier. Many modern hot tubs are now equipped with a wireless connection and mobile app where you can control it. It also allows the dealer to check for problems in the tub if the owner calls back. In just a few clicks, you can run some troubleshooting steps in your hot tub. There’s no need to get off the water and do it manually. pH level controlpH balancing is an important aspect, especially for those with very sensitive skin. It could be a little complicated and technical, but with a pH system installed in your hot tub, you can set it right away. Such a pH balancer device provides instant measurements on your hot tub water. If the pH level is off, the device will normalize it for you in just a few seconds. This way, you will be soaking in a fresh hot tub without the need to pour any chemicals into the water. Hot tub water cleaningHot tubs, like swimming pools, can get really dirty. Instead of manually scrubbing and changing the water, you can try a sanitization device that takes out the extra salt, dirt, and other particles in your hot tub. The system itself will generate chlorine using the small amount of salt on the tub. Through this, the water will be cleansed so you can hop into a fresh and relaxing hot tub anytime you wish. This device allows you to maintain the hot tub water easily and with less waste. Hot tub filtersHot tub filters are very important components of this piece of equipment. It ensures that the water remains clean by filtering out particles. Instead of using typical paper hot tub filters, you can get a modern option like a ceramic cartridge. With this filter, the water passes through the device twice within a minute. This means that the water is cleaner even if multiple individuals are using the hot tub at the same time. Ceramic cartridge filters can last for up to six years of regular use. The best part here is that it’s easy to clean on the dishwasher. You no longer have to call for hot tub maintenance service all the time. ConclusionFull-sized and inflatable hot tub maintenance is a serious business. Still, you can use new technologies that will make the task easier and faster to accomplish.
 Due to regular use, your hot tub will sustain cracks and scratches. If not repaired right away, such damages will become bigger and more prominent. This will affect the look of your tub, not to mention that it will cause further issues on your tub in the long run. Knowing how to repair a hot tub when minor problems occur makes a big difference, regardless if you have a new or used tub. If you notice shallow scratches and crack stains on your tub, you can do the following as a solution: Materials you need
Once you have these supplies, you can now move on to the steps. Here’s what you can do: Step 1. Prepare the areaBefore you do anything, make sure that the hot tub is thoroughly drained, dry, and unplugged. You can use a towel to remove the remaining moisture. You can also take this opportunity to clean your hot tub thoroughly. Next, get the acrylic repair kit and follow the instructions on the packaging. Small scratches will not consume the entire kit. If there are large cracks, you have to drill it first until you create a ‘V-shape’ slope. After that, fill it with the acrylic solution. Step 2. Let it dryOnce you have applied the patch, let it dry thoroughly. Some kits need to be dried overnight or for a few days for the hot tub crack repair to be effective. After the patch material has dried, it’s time to sand the rough bumps and edges. This will make the repair look natural without the abrasive surface. You can also use a buffer for a shiny finish so the repairs will not look obvious. Step 3. Clean upOnce done, clean up the area and make sure that no dust remains. If there are still cracks on your tub, just repeat the hot tub blister repair process until everything is smooth. For scratches, there’s no need to drill. Just clean the area first and then apply the patch material. Step 4. Fill the tub with waterAfter the repairs, fill the hot tub so you can check for leaks. After that, drain the tub and check the repairs you’ve done. Make sure that the patch material is fully dried, or it will only melt in hot water once you fill the tub.
If you are not a handyman, you can call for a hot tub repair service instead. They have the right materials and skills to fix just about any hot tub problem. A hot tub repair service will repair it for you, from shallow scratches, cracks, and leaks. Here at Calgary Hot Tub Repair & Service, we provide a full range of hot tub repair solutions. Regardless of your hot tub size, technology, and make, we can fix it for you. Call us and we will give you an instant, zero-obligation free quote. |
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