Best Hot Tub, Spas and Whirlpools Guide

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Safety Tips on Using Hot Tubs

Hot tubs are a wonderful addition to a home since they provide relaxation from the massage. Furthermore, it has wonderful health benefits for the user. However, just like any other swimming pool, a hot tub is a place where safety precautions should be exercised. Here are some safety tips when using your hot tub.

Maintain the tub clean

Any water-containing facility can be a breeding ground for bacteria such as Legionella bacteria and Pseudomonas bacteria. Legionella bacteria can cause a fatal disease called Legionnaires disease. Meanwhile, Pseudomonas can trigger skin rashes, pneumonia, and eye infections. That’s why its essential for the hot tub to be clean all the time.

Make it a point to drain the tub and scrub the walls of the hot tub monthly or twice a month, depending on the use, to remove dirt and bacteria. This could be done with a bleach solution. The same goes with the filters and pumping systems, which should be cleaned regularly. Also scrub the surfaces and decks around the tub clean.

Also use the right level of disinfectants to guarantee clean water in the hot tub. Chlorine can be used, as it is the most common disinfectant used in hot tubs. Monitor the level of disinfectant since when the tub is often used, the disinfectant level goes low.

People who use the tub should shower before dipping in the hot tub. We are dirty from pollution, dust, and everything else caught in city life. Therefore, we are a source of bacteria. So a shower with soap to wash away the dirt would be good to decrease the level of bacteria in the tub.

Hot tub temperature and its disadvantages

Since these tubs operate on a high temperature, it could cause overheating which triggers dizziness, rashes, burns, heat-related diseases or even death. The temperature should never exceed 104ÝF or 40ÝC.

Pregnant women and children are also at risk when using hot tubs. As for pregnant women, they shouldn’t stay more than 10 minutes in the water as it would be detrimental to their health. Lowering the temperature to 102ÝF or 39ÝC would be best when pregnant women are using the hot tub. Meanwhile, children are more prone to overheating and drowning. They should stay in the tub not more than five minutes. Parents should always supervise their children for them to stay out of harms way.

Also don’t soak for a long time because heat would cause dizziness and when you are dizzy you could faint. Fainting would be fatal since it could trigger heart attack or even death.

Proper use of every household appliance would ensure your family’s safety and yourself as well. Take these tips into consideration to make sure you are out of harms way.

Tags: , , ,

Popularity: 99% [?]

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Nifty Accessories for Your Hot Tub

Now that you have a hot tub, you can fix it up by getting those accessories, making your bathing time more fun and relaxing for you.

Wind Up Swimming Tools
You see these on TV and you want your children to have their own in order to make bathing time worthwhile and enjoyable for them. You wouldn’t have a hard time dragging them into the tub with these.

They come in various animal designs like fish, crabs, ducks, frogs, hippos, lobsters, piranhas, red wheels, seals, swans and turtles to name a few. Not to mention, they come in various colors as well.

Toys and Games
If your children reach the stage where merely floating animals are no longer engaging, then try these toys and games.

1. Plastic Playing Cards
They come in a complete deck. You don’t have to worry about them getting wet because they are made of plastic.

2. Floating Radio
Your child can dance as much as he or she wants in the tub, with the music blasting from this nifty gadget.

3. Duck Cup Holder and Tumbler
This one is very helpful in spas. Most children bring their drinks while they take a dip. This time they can do so. Imagine having a relaxing time in the tub and taking a sip of their favorite drink in between. That’s kiddie heaven.

Wooden Accessories
This is for the obsessive compulsive homemaker who wants to protect other bathroom equipment from getting wet. By installing decks or squares, planters or benches, the spa area will be a place of relaxation and not just somewhere you can bathe. You can make your own bathroom like that of what you see in the hotels, poolside, country club or saunas with these wooden accessories.

There are towel trees and tables for your benefit. Think of all the possibilities and there are probably accessories for it.

Vacuums
Clean your hot tub once every week. One of the best vacuums is the spa and pool vacuum from Game. It effortlessly cleans your hot tub with just one push of the button. If you want something to fit your hand, then get the grit-gitter. You don’t have to worry about batteries, cords, hoses or getting electrocuted.

You should also have those Spa Scoop Nets so that you can remove the unwanted debris in the water.

Cover Lifts
The life of your spa lengthens every time you cover it with a cover lift after each use. It reduces the wear and tear of the equipment.

Filter Cartridges
For hygienic purposes, filters must be replaced as often as possible. It also helps to have extra filters which you should use whenever you are drying the other one. A hot tub or spa must always have filters.

Filter Cartridges Cleaner
For hygienic purposes, you also have to clean the filter cartridges. Here are the best products you can use in doing so.

1. Water Wand Filter Cleaner
It makes cartridge cleaning fast and easy. It cleans the multiple pleats with its rubber fingers. It gets in the areas that are hard to reach. It has a handy on and off button.

2. Filter Blaster Spa Filter Cleaner
If you are tired of cleaning the filter and sick of the mess and the time you have to devote to do the chore, you can just get the Filter Blast and it’ll do the work for you. It automatically rotates the hot tub filter as it jet sprays the filter pleats, making it clean. You just have to hook the Filter Blaster to the hose you use for your garden and those pesky debris and dirt will be out of your filter in a matter of minutes.

Thermometers
This is very helpful if you have to check the temperature of your hot tub. You wouldn’t want to step in and scald yourself or freeze your tush off now, would you?

The basic thermometer comes with a shatterproof lens and is very easy to read. You can choose between floating or the multi-purpose kind. Then there are the wireless thermometers that come with sensors. This is great for both indoor and outdoor use.

There are also thermometers that have animal designs. These will be fascinating for your children. They come in alligator, shark, pelican, duck, and turtle to name a few. With these animal thermometers, your child will definitely check the thermometer first before dipping into the hot tub.

Tags: , , ,

Popularity: 76% [?]

Monday, April 28th, 2008

The Ultimate Socializing Hot Tubs

With the continuous popularity of tubs installed in modern homes, the shapes have also evolved into various sizes and shapes. On the market, you may choose from various kinds like the round hot tubs or rectangular hot tubs, there are also small ones which accommodate only a couple of persons and many other shapes depending on the caprice and interest of the manufacturer.

Why the shape?

Since you are choosing from various shapes of hot tubs, there may be instances when you experience confusion in selecting your hot tubs. But you need to be reminded that the shape of the tub that you buy should fit in to the purpose you have for the hot tub. The reason behind that is because, the shape and size of the tub determines the amount of gadgets and jets attached on the tub.

Main purpose of the round hot tubs

The usual types of tubs are either rectangular or square in shape, but there are some round hot tubs now on the market. This particular type of hot tub is said to offer a wider array of benefits as compared to the conventional square hot tubs. Since hot tubs these days are included in the options of people who want to socialize, the round hot tubs enable the people to enjoy an effortless position as they splash in the bubbling hot water.

So you can just imagine that every one in the tub can converse easily because they are facing each other. This is the most basic problem encountered by group of people who want to socialize in the square hot tub. It is because there is high probability that everyone will face in a different direction, along with different elevation which makes it more difficult to chat.

Plans with the round hot tubs

In the event that you want to have a hot tub party with some of your friends it is ideal that your hot tub have room for six persons or more so that there won’t be people left outside the tub. The best area to place your round hot tub is in the garden, where it will be the center of attention while relaxing inside your tub.

Tags: , ,

Popularity: 100% [?]

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Buying Spa Equipment Online

If you need spa equipment for your business or for personal use and if you are extremely busy, buy the spa equipment online. Hot tubs and water-proof sound equipment are the hottest in spa equipment these days. Whether you’re on a limited budget or the sky is the limit budget, buying online would be a good choice. Here are some tips and tricks in buying spa equipment online.

Is my budget enough for my spa equipment?

In buying online, there are a LOT of stores to choose from. Not all stores are the same, however. There are some which offer second-hand equipment and some have varying prices. Research and canvassing can be done without a hassle. This isn’t a taxing experience at all, compared to personally going to the stores.

If you are on a budget but want a complete set of spa equipment, you might try second-hand equipment. As I’ve said, there are tons of online stores and you can find a second-hand store on the Internet.

However, don’t rely too much on the price if you are going for quality. Search for price guarantees for items available online. There are some sites which offer factory-direct equipment. This means that the store only sells products they make.

Look out for the guarantees

Look out for guarantees or returns for the product to ensure maximum quality and to determine the stores aim to satisfy the customer. This is a good sign that a store isn’t just going to run away or ignore you after you’ve purchased their product. Know what the guarantees cover with the product. Furthermore, determine how you can get free service from the guarantees. Also, is it realistic enough for the customer to use their service.

Looking on the website itself

The best spa equipment shopping websites offer a simple navigation and easy buy and checkout methods. The website also gives a clear view on the categories and prices of each product. This means that the online store is serious about pleasing the customer by providing a functional website for the buyer.

Shipping fees

Shipping fees add to the overall cost of what you buy online. Shipping fees could be based on the weight or the volume of the product. Oftentimes, the better option is per volume of the product since it would be a better deal for really heavy items. Paying for this is no problem at all since in a typical store, you pay for sales tax, but on online stores, you don’t.

Buying online could be tough because of the Internet risks, but it definitely is heaven in terms of going shop to shop with just a tap of your finger.

Tags: , ,

Popularity: 93% [?]

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Protecting Your Spa Cover

The spa cover is an essential appliance to protect your hot tub from dust, debris, and even from your neighbor accidentally taking a dip. This is also measures to keep the water in the hot tub clean and ready to be used. However, even if its a protective cover, it still gets dirty and needs to be cleaned. Here are some tips in protecting your spa cover.

Clean your spa cover!
A clean cover will keep a clean tub. Get a garden hose and spray the water on the surface of the cover. Do so until the debris and the dirt come off. Get a soft brush and a large sponge to scrub on the spa cover. Do it with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water. The vinyl top should be scrubbed in a circular motion and don’t let it dry with the soap! Rinse it well with water. As for the underside of the cover, wash it with water and dry with a rag.

Never, let the soap get into your hot tub! It will be a lot of trouble if it happens since you have to get it out of the tub.

Remedies for unwanted dirt

Anything can get on your spa cover such as tree sap, paint, grease, or grime, especially when your hot tub is under a tree or in your backyard. Tree sap can be annoyingly hard to get off, but a little bit of lighter fluid will do the trick. Don’t use too much because it will damage the vinyl cover. Right after the application of the fluid, apply your preferred spa cover conditioner or soap.

As for paint - sorry, but there’s no way to get it off. Once it dries, it remains there forever. Yes, there are solvents used to remove paint, but its a different story once you apply it on the spa vinyl cover. Solvents used to remove paint can damage your vinyl cover permanently.

Damages, blisters and whatnot

Sometimes fading color, blisters, or puddles show up on your spa cover. When the bottom vinyl of the spa cover sags like blisters, it means the water chemistry of your tub water is off. Improper water chemistry may manifest on your spa cover by color change, its being easily ripped, or falling into the water. The best remedy for this is to replace your spa cover.

These are just some tips on how to protect your spa cover. Treat your spa cover with care to make it last for a long time. It saves money and it saves a heck of a lot of worry.

Tags: , ,

Popularity: 93% [?]

Close
E-mail It