About Portable Hot Tubs

Archive for the ‘Care & Safety’ Category

You need to have your hot tub properly installed by a professional. Most hot tubs require a 240-volt connection, the same one used for dryers or washers. Read your user’s manual carefully in order to avoid accidents and unnecessary damage to your new hot tub.

Tips for your electrical connection

A state-certified electrician is your perfect bet to take care of your hot tub’s electrical installation. Before jumping into your first dip, read the instructions carefully and do not hesitate to ask the manufacturer or the professional electrician if there is anything else you are unsure of. Read the safety precautions and follow them to the letter.

It takes about six to seven hours to thoroughly heat your hot tub, depending on the size of course. You should always turn off the power while cleaning the hot tub and use only mild and non-abrasive chemicals to remove deposits and other grime. After rinsing the hot tub, open the air valves. Close the drain and start filling it up with water. Keep in mind that the power should be switched off whenever you’re draining the hot tub, as many parts will be irreparably damaged if the power comes on and the hot tub is dry.

Electrical requirements

Hot tubs are run on either 120V or 240V. Proper bonding and grounding must be provided and the circuits should be rated at an appropriate amperage according to your hot tub’s power requirements and electrical codes.

It is also important to note that hot tubs that use lower power can induce the heater to shut down while the jets are running at high speed, causing greater heat loss. The regular hot tubs include systems that run on 120V and 12 amps utilizing a ground fault interrupter. This system requires the expertise of an electrician if your home is not dedicated to outlets of this type. Without observing proper circuitry rules, the hot tub could be a fire hazard and could even void your warranty. It is therefore very important to consult a licensed electrician and completely read your owner’s manual prior to installation.

Hot tubs require proper cleaning and maintenance to maximize their service. There are several products available in the market today that are not as harsh as the regularly used chemicals and are best for the care of your hot tub. Some hot tub chemicals may be more expensive, but are more efficient in cleaning your unit.

Maintaining chemical balance

It is very important to use hot tub chemicals that help in maintaining the hot tub’s water pH and chemical balance. A hot tub is different from a swimming pool in that it is used with high water temperatures and there is a high density of people using it. Because of these, hot tubs may accumulate a greater buildup of deodorants, soaps and cosmetics, apart from perspiration and natural body oils that regularly contaminate the water and stick to the hot tub surface as residue. Have the water periodically tested to prolong your hot tub’s life in order to have years of pleasurable bathing.

Effectiveness of test kits

Always check the expiry dates of test kits available in the market today. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully for proper use and storage. Ensure that the test kit is thoroughly cleaned after every use; otherwise, you may end up with inaccurate results.

Circulate the water first before getting a sample for testing. Take it from a minimum of 12 inches from the water surface and read it at once, using a white background. You must be careful as the oils from your skin may alter the results. Furthermore, never use strips that are old or expired. After use, close all chemicals tightly to keep moisture from seeping in and rendering them inaccurate for future use.

Check the online catalog of Spa Care Center for the most complete line of hot tub stock parts plus a wide selection of hot tub covers. You need not look far when searching for a reliable source of replacement parts for the repair of your hot tub. With over 30 years of service in the industry, Spa Care Center has a fully functional site where you can order parts online via a safe transaction server.

When you’re dealing with Spa Care Center, you don’t have to spend precious time filling in order forms and price demand sheets. Just look for the parts that you need and add them to your cart. You’ll soon get that hot tub working again so you can resume your relaxing hydrotherapy sessions whenever you please.

How the parts are brought to you

Your purchased products are shipped via UPS so you can be sure that they arrive at your door quickly and safely. You can choose standard, 2nd-day air or overnight shipping for every order. In addition, you can send a photo of the part you need as an e-mail attachment, so Spa Care Center can easily help you with your search.

This center carries a wide assortment of accessories and parts including, but not limited to, motors, covers, jets, heaters, pumps, filters and chemicals. If you can’t wait to get back to your relaxing soaking regimen, contact Spa Care Center so they can immediately help you locate the exact part you need.

Other accessories

Covers have become an essential item for hot tubs. Not only are they used for safety, hot tub covers are also important in prolonging the life of your hot tub by protecting it from the elements.

They offer fashionable hot tub covers from name-brand companies; you can find lifts for covers that facilitate the removal of your hot tub cover. In addition, the Spa Care Center also offers hot tub accessories such as protectants, tie-down clip kits and straps. Check out the product information available on the Spa Care Center site to see which products would serve you best.

After you’ve checked out the essentials, you might want to also look at the other hot tub accessories that would truly make your spa bathing a luxurious experience. These are trays for your drinks, plastic playing cards, booster seats and pillows on which you can rest your head comfortably while enjoying the soothing warm waters.

To be able to enjoy your hot tub for years, you should follow a strict regimen of cleaning and maintaining your hot tub. A well-maintained home spa performs best when kept clean and when its jets and filters are kept in good working condition.

There are a few parameters regarding hot tub maintenance that you need to keep in mind:

1. Ph value and water balance

The pH value is actually the measure of a solution’s acidity. Values higher than 7 are considered to be basic, while those lower than 7 indicate acidity. Hot tub water ideally has to have a pH value of 7 to 8.

Water balance refers to the characteristics of water such as softness and hardness. Soft water has a low level of calcium while hard water has a high calcium content. The ideal calcium hardness level for hot tub water is 100 to 200 mg/L. A level that is lower than this could cause corrosion to the hot tub’s parts, while a higher level may give rise to an unattractive deposit buildup on the hot tub’s surfaces. Maintaining an ideal water balance is necessary so that your water is always appropriate for maximum bathing comfort and in order that your hot tub equipment will last as long as possible.

2. Daily maintenance

* Conduct regular pH value checks. The most ideal level for hot tubs is between 7.4 and 7.6. * Clean the water lines and get rid of the unattractive and unsafe buildup that forms along this area. * Test chlorine levels to know if it is within the 2 to 5 mg/L range.

3. Weekly maintenance

* Shock your hot tub with a suitable oxidizing agent such as calcium hypochlorite. * Add no-scale agents to prevent the buildup of unsightly scales. * Add anti-foam additives to prevent foam formation. * Drain and refill your tub to prevent the buildup of total dissolved solids (TDS).

4. Monthly maintenance

* Clean the filter using high-grade hot tub filter cleaner. * Add hot tub scale remover if your water is particularly hard.

5. Periodic maintenance

Ensure that your hot tub is completely drained and refilled as there is always a buildup of TDS. The chemicals for maintaining the cleanliness of your hot tub are available in shops or online, where you will find solutions that are specially formulated for the task you want to do. However, make sure that you practice the necessary precautions when using these chemicals. Always read the labels to know the proper dosage; never mix chemicals; and always add chemicals to the water and not the other way around.

Public hot tubs and private spas should strictly follow the regulations regarding the hot tub temperatures prescribed by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

For everyone’s safety, the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The Commission extracts strict penalties on those who do not abide by this standard. This limit has been imposed in order to prevent hot tub related accidents, including drowning, scalding, dehydration and motor malfunction. However, the temperatures slightly vary according to the general climate of the location.

Why high temperatures are risky

In 2005, there were reportedly hundreds of accidents involving hot water tubs. Many of these cases were due to excessive water temperatures. It has been found out that bathing in very warm waters induce drowsiness, and if you fall asleep in the hot tub, there is a great possibility for you to slide down and drown. Moreover, if you are taking a dip in the hot tub after a hard day at the gym, then the hot tub can raise your body temperature to extremely critical levels, which may cause a lot of problems.

What safety precautions can you take?

To play safe, never exceed the maximum prescribed temperature for hot tub water. In addition, do not enter a hot tub immediately after coming home from an especially strenuous workout. Take some time to cool down for a while before bathing. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids before, during and after a hot tub session to replace the water you have lost in the form of sweat.

Other health-related risks aggravated by very hot tub water are lightheadedness, extreme weakness, nausea and dehydration. Pregnant women should be very cautious when bathing in hot tubs.

There is an increasing number of accidents involving the hot tub — drowning, body part entrapment, hair entanglement and even heat stroke. We just don’t know it, but a seemingly harmless appliance can be dangerous if basic safety precautions are not observed. People should be informed of the many risks involved when using the hot tub, and all individuals using it should know what to be careful of even before using it for the first time.

The dangers

Drowning is the number one accident involving spas and hot tubs. It has been reported that there is an increasing number of deaths related to the use of hot tubs and spas, with a great percentage involving children. Children below five years should never come near a hot bath tub without close adult supervision. They may fall into the tub accidentally or get scalded by the hot water.

A number of deaths have also been due to hair entanglement. This happens when the bather accidentally gets his or her hair entangled in the powerful suctions of the hot tubs. At times, a body part such as a hand or finger also gets entrapped by the mechanisms in the hot tub, such as its powerful drain. There are also instances when the bather becomes so relaxed that he or she falls into a deep sleep and accidentally drowns in the water.

Safety precautions

Children should never be allowed to come near a hot tub, and neither should they be left in the hot tub room unsupervised. This is why hot tub covers have become necessities rather than optional accessories — a toddler may venture into a hot tub filled with water when no adult is around. In addition, a toddler’s hair may get sucked in by the powerful drain. In the event that drain covers are broken, the spa should be shut down until the drain cover has been fixed or replaced.

In addition, avoid using the spa while drinking alcohol as you’ll increase your chances of drowning. Make sure, too, that the water temperature would not exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid possible heat stroke.

Your hot tub is a valuable purchase and it is only proper that you devote extra effort for its cleaning and maintenance. Most hot tubs will last a long time but being diligent in keeping your hot tub in good working condition will make it last even longer.

Things to keep in mind

Most modern hot tubs make use of state-of-the-art sanitation processes, which are engineered to work hand-in-hand with water treatments. These treatments balance the water, but other products are also useful in removing the minerals present in hard water and help adjust the water’s pH level. This is especially important in preventing scum buildup and unattractive scaling. Other water care products also aid in sanitizing the water and keeping it clear.

While it’s relatively easy to fill a hot tub with an ordinary garden hose, experts advise against using softened water as the salt in it can give rise to calcification and unsightly mineral buildup on the hot tub’s heating equipment.

Care and maintenance

It is essential that minute amounts of chemical additives are carefully used and consistently applied to hot tubs to prevent scaling or staining. Create a weekly cleaning schedule to remove anything that needs to be scoured off the tub surface. Check the water in your hot tub every three days and clean the filters monthly. This can be done by pulling the filters out and soaking them or spraying them with mild disinfectants. It is normally not necessary to replace the water often unless the hot tub is frequently used.

Extending the life of your hot tub

It only takes 15 minutes a week to see to it that your hot tub is well maintained. Most manufacturers also offer after-sales service and assign maintenance specialists to respond to any questions you may have about caring for your hot tub. Some companies also assist you with water sampling. All you need to do is bring in a water sample to have it tested by experts. Through the aid of computer systems, you will be given a diagnostic printout and recommendations on how to perform an effective cleaning process. Remember, too, that if not used for long periods, your hot tub would have to be protected with a hot tub cover or antifreeze added to the water if it isn’t drained out. Otherwise, your hot tub would be irreparably damaged.