Hot Tub, Pool and Spa Advice

This is a common problem for many spa users. The problem can usually be attributed to one or a combination of four things:

1) High pH/Alkalinity
2) Reduced filtration
3) Heavy usage
4) High total dissolved solids (TDS)

The problem is usually one of the first three listed above.
Solution:
Step 1: Check and adjust your pH and Alkalinity as needed using pH decreaser.  pH decreaser will lower both your pH and Alkalinity. Always balance pH prior to adding other products to your tub. If you seem to be consistently fighting pH, have your water tested.
Step 2: Chemically clean filters by soaking with an approved filter cleaner or degreaser, then rinse thoroughly with high water pressure.
Step 3: Super-chlorinate. Technically this means raising your total chlorine to 10 ppm over your free chlorine, but most people don’t have the means to measure this. For most tubs, a little more than ¼ cup of chlorine usually will do the trick. After following these steps, give it a day. 80% of the time your water will clear up. If not, you need to get rid of dissolved solids.
Step 4: Dissolved solids build up over time from debris entering the water. The best way get rid of them is to empty the spa and start over. If time or weather doesn’t allow you to empty the spa completely, you may want to partially drain the tub which will dilute the waterl.  Otherwise, use a water clarifier. Water clarifiers coagulate small particles so that the filter can more easily catch them. When using a water clarifier, be prepared to rinse filters and clean along the water lines for best results.

Posted by Jon Moir

The way we speak to hot tub shoppers on the road or at a home show is the same. Generally, “Hot tubs are good!” Many brands have unique features and styles that set one apart from another. But, regardless of the aesthetics, the bells, or the whistles, we tell everybody, “You should buy a Hot Tub somewhere, from somebody…Soon!” Hot water therapy really will make your life better.

So as you gather the brochures, but before you entomb yourself in a mound of excessive research, here are three things a legitimate hot tub brand absolutely must have.  If you gather this information, you will surely enjoy years of relaxation in your own personal oasis.   Gather not, and you risk being swindled by a stereotypical spa salesman sporting spandex shorts, a mullet, or beer-breath:

Efficiency
Recent research suggests that, more than anything else, consumers want a hot tub that doesn’t require the installation of a separate electric meter. But, believe it or not, there are only a few hot tub brands that continually use third party testing for energy efficiency. If a company makes a bold energy claim, ask for the source of the information.

News flash!…Some hot tub manufacturers actually print bogus claims in their literature. I know, hard to imagine. But, in an industry of copycats, it is a widespread practice to plagiarize research and regurgitate brochure language.  If you already own a hot tub and you are paying more than an average of $25 per month to run it, you are paying too much. There are tubs that can be run for less than $10 per month…in the Winter! Bottom line: Only look at those brands that can produce scientific proof that you will save money. If their claim sounds far fetched, they better be able to back it up!

Public Ownership
Did you know there are more than 250 hot tub brands? Guess how many are privately owned? Almost all of them. I don’t mean to frighten anybody, but let me ask this: What do you think those private companies will do in the wake of an ailing economy, a large lawsuit, or tanking sales? You guessed it…Bail out! And leave their customers to fend for themselves.

I talk with consumers every day who bought tubs from a regional or local manufacturer who can’t find any support for their product. We are watching many of those regional manufacturers go out of business in Arizona, Florida, California, and Georgia. There is, however, a silver lining in all this. Since Enron and Tyco, new laws protect buyers of products whose manufacturers are owned by publicly traded companies. As mandated by these laws, an amount of money per hot tub must be held in an escrow-like account for the duration of the spa’s warranty period. Only buy a hot tub that is, or is part of, a publicly traded company.

Tradition of Service, Support & Endurance
Beware of a hot tub company who can’t tell you where to go to service one of its own hot tubs. We speak with customers every day, who complain, “I bought it from _______, but the company who made it isn’t in business anymore.” Or the classic, “After a few months the spa didn’t work, and we couldn’t contact the company we bought it from.” You should be able to contact the manufacturer of the product, who should be able to direct you to your local service center where you will find replacement parts, service personnel, and other new products for your hot tub.

When stacking up dealerships against each other, ask yourself these questions: Are they free with their information? Do they make it available online? Does the dealer offer free in-store support for things as basic as water chemistry? Is there a forum for you to share your opinion with management about the staff? Can you get a replacement part for one of their 25-year-old spas?

by Rich Moffat

The good feeling you get when you relax in a hot tub is mainly because of the way your body reacts to the heat and jets of water. Our bodies are very complicated, and many different therapies and drugs can work. Hydrotherapy, or the therapy of water, in a home hot tub is one way to benefit our health.

Hot tubs are great for those with high blood pressure (aka hypertension). High blood pressure is ordinarily defined as being greater than 140/90. For those with this condition, time in a spa or hot tub is one particularly beneficial therapy as it can help out prescribed medicines.

Blood pressure is a requirement for us to survive, and it is produced in 3 different ways: heart rate (how quickly the heart is beating); how much pressure the heart is pumping against (the more relaxed blood vessels are, the easier it is to pump blood into them, the tighter they are, the harder it is); and the volume of blood in the arteries and veins.

Hydrotherapy in a hottub or spa provides benefits for high blood pressure because it dilates, or opens up, blood vessels so the heart doesn't need to pump as hard. This lowers blood pressure and it reduces the amount the heart has to work by up to 20%. Your body dilates the blood vessels because it registers that you are getting too hot and the ones near the surface of the skin relax in an attempt to release heat.

This vasodilation (opening up of blood vessels) allows oxygen to travel more freely to places where it generally does not go in great amounts. Due to the fact that oxygen is an important part of healing, hot tub hydrotherapy enhances healing.

Vasodilation serves a second purpose because the blood cleanses away wastes from different parts of the body in the same way that it distributes nutrients. When it's been a demanding day and your muscles are fatigued, it is often because there is a build up of lactic acid. The quicker blood gets to the muscles to remove the lactic acid, the faster they will feel better. This also allows your muscles to relax.

Don't waste any more time - finish your research on which size of hot tub you can afford to buy, install and operate, and enjoy the remarkable health benefits. You won't be disappointed.

NOTE: It is important to see your family physician before starting any kind of treatment.

Information in this post was provided by by Karen Naylor.

Your Hot Spring spa has been designed for year-round use in any climate. Here are some steps you may want to take this time of year to ensure maximum energy efficiency.

If you live in an area which has freezing temperatures, you should purchase a Winter Blanket which is available at your local Hot Spring spa dealer. This vinyl-covered, fiberglass insulated blanket, which installs inside the equipment compartment door, provides an additional precaution against partial freezing of some of the components and maximizes the spa's energy efficiency.

Also, make sure your cover is at peak performance level. Check for signs of wear and tear-make sure the seal is still tight and intact so heat doesn't escape. If you see signs of sagging, fading or cracking, it's time for a replacement. Be sure to remove snow from the spa cover before large amounts accumulate. Condensation might occur around the cover locks which could create ice build up to remove, splash with warm water; don't try to pry the ice off.

If you are going away for a few days during the winter months, remember these tips:

1. Before you go, adjust the pH according to the Owner's Manual.
2. Sanitize the water with super chlorination or the new Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer according to instructions.s.
3. Lock down the cover to prevent access.
4. Lock the light and jets feature on the control panel (on 1998 models).
5. Upon your return, balance the pH and sanitize the water prior to using.

If you are planning to be away from home a week or longer, call your local dealer for more tips on winterizing your spa, or refer to the Owner's Manuall for additional instructions.

Sanitizer is extremely important for killing algae, bacteria and other unwanted impurities in your spa water. While it is important to maintain the sanitizer levels, you do not want too much, because it can irritate your skin, lungs and eyes.

Hot Spring recommends only the following sanitizers:

1. EverFresh Water Care System with Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer
2. Sodium Dichlor (chlorine)
3. Granular bromine
4. FreshWater® Biguanide Water Care or Baqua Spa™ For 1998 to current spa models only
5. AutoFresh™ Water Care System

DO NOT use tri-chlor chlorine, any type of compressed bromine or chlorine, acid or any type of sanitizer which is not recommended above. If in doubt, please contact our Customer Service Department.

 

For more information on the care and cleaning of your spa, refer to your Owner's Manual. Call us if you have any special questions. We're here to help make your spa maintenance as easy as possible. If you have technical or customer service questions, please contact our Customer Service Department.

To clean the spa shell, use a mild non-abrasive, non-sudsing cleaner and a soft rag or nylon scrubber to remove dirt build-up. Common baking soda can also be used for minor surface cleaning. After cleaning and drying your spa shell, apply FreshWater Spa Shine to keep your spa looking new. Also, the spa pillows can be removed and cleaned by following the instructions in your Owner's Manual. The hot tub vinyl cover is best cleaned and conditioned by following this step-by-step method: first, remove the cover and spray it lightly with a garden hose to loosen any dirt or debris that might have accumulated. Using a mild soap solution (1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid with 2 gallons water) or baking soda, scrub the vinyl in a circular motion with a large sponge. Promptly rinse with a garden hose. Rinse the bottom of the cover (do not use soap), and wipe it clean with a dry rag. To condition the cover after cleaning, apply a thin film of Hot Spring Cover Shield™.

HELPFUL HINT:: Showering without soap prior to entering the spa, and using only the rinse cycle when laundering your bathing suit, will help avoid detergent and soap residue in the spa water.

Cleaning your filter cartridges is simple. As with any water filtration system, your spa filter cartridges can become clogged with mineral particles or calcification from hard water, which may result in reduced water flow. We recommend that you clean your filter cartridges every month. Using a garden hose, spray each cartridge and rotate while spraying to thoroughly remove any debris lodged between the filter pleats. For HotSprings brand hot tubs, wse either FreshWater Instant Filter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner to keep your filters clean and in good operating condition. Keep in mind that your filters should be replaced every three years with genuine Watkins replacement filters. We provide filters at all three Salt Lake City locations or through our online store.

Water it's the essential ingredient in your spa, and it's important to keep it fresh, clean and ready to enjoy. We now offer two accessories that make your water care routine easier, and keeps your spa water fresh and pristine.

Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer
Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer dissolves instantly and eliminates unwanted impurities which accumulate in your spa water. This chlorine-free oxidizer increases sanitizer efficiency, enhances water clarity and is compatible with bromine, chlorine and most alternative sanitizers. Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer is recommended for use with the EverFresh water care system for the best quality water possible...fresh, safe, and free of odors and irritation.

Hot Spring Spa Vac
The Hot Spring Spa Vac cleans dirt, gravel, leaves and other debris without draining your spa. This self-contained, simple-to-use water vacuum requires no pumping, batteries or water hook-ups. The telescopic aluminum pole makes it easy to remove debris from hard-to-reach areas. Use it on your swimming pool steps and in fountains, too.