Saturday, March 7, 2009

Relaxing In A Tub Even Though Your Budget Is Tight!


By Andy Go

So you want to relax in a hot tub but you're just can't afford it? What do you do? Having a tight budget doesn't necessarily equate to the fact that, you can no longer enjoy the soothing feeling offered by hot tubs because you can now make the most out of used hot tubs on the market.

Retailers and used hot tubs
Not having thousands of dollars will no longer hamper your desire to treat yourself with a nice soak in a hot tub, because you can now find a lot of retailers who are selling used hot tubs. In case the retailer that you dropped by wasn't selling used hot tubs, then you could probably ask him where to find one because he is among the best sources you can get.

If you are the shy-type in terms of asking information from a professional, then the best thing for you is to check the classified ads in your newspaper and see if there are other sources. However, the safest option that you can take in purchasing used hot tubs is to seek an 'expert opinion', or to find an expert who is well-informed regarding the model of hot tubs. So that you can be guided accordingly during the time that you are to purchase your used hot tub.

Evaluating the hot tub
It is indispensable that you fully inspect the tub first for flaws. Among the first things that you should check are the pumps, and the jets which could be checked by turning the tub on and off. In doing this you will save yourself from the possibility of buying rubbish which might not even last a week or two. It is also important that you check the tub for cracks or drips because it is the topmost problems of tubs.


Clean the used tub
As soon as you have purchased the tub, the next thing is to give your hot tub a good bath in order to give it a new look. Use disinfectant for to kill the bacterium that have resided in the tub and then you may also put in some chlorine and bromine. To finish off the cleaning you must use shock treatment in order to overcome the other impurities such as dirt, oils, perspirations and some soap films.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Safety tips on using hot tubs


By Andy Go


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.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Protecting Your Spa Cover


By Andy Go

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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Make your hot tubs sparkle with clean


By Andy Go

Cleaning your hot tub is mandatory since your tub is a breeding ground for bacteria that could cause diseases. Legionella and Pseudomonas bacteria are some that lurk in a dirty hot tub. Legionella bacteria can cause a fatal disease called Legionnaires disease. Meanwhile, Pseudomonas can trigger skin rashes, pneumonia, and eye infections.

Get that laziness out of your system and clean your hot tub! Here are some guidelines and instructions on how to clean your hot tub.

Replace your water once a month

Have you ever seen a pool where the water was not replaced in a year? It could get dark and muddy from dirt. As for hot tub, you can get the same results when you let the water stay for a long time. So replace it once a month and no longer. Dirt and bacteria can stay in the water for a long time which could harm you and your family. Safe and clean water is always the best.

Scrub, scrub, and rinse!

After draining the water from the tub, don't just refill it with clean water! The real place for bacteria to lurk into is on the walls and the floor. Get your cleanser, whether a recommended cleanser for hot tubs or a bleach solution. Get your muscles going by scrubbing the walls to release the dirt. Also include the surfaces and the deck on scrubbing to maintain a clean tub once someone dips in.

After the scrubbing is done, rinse the walls and floor with water. Make sure no bleach solution remains since it could produce bubbles in the hot tub water or make the water muddy and unclear.

Puts disinfectan. Read: Chlorine

Chlorine is the most popular disinfectant used in hot tubs and in pools. They reduce the harmful effects of water for the users safety. It is recommended to put chlorine tablets in the tub once a week for it to be fully sanitized.

Clean the filters

The filters should be cleaned once every two weeks, especially when the hot tub is used regularly. The filter can be cleaned by using a garden hose and spraying the filter to remove unwanted dirt. You can also use commercial cleaning solutions after rinsing it with water. These filters should be replaced once a year.

Hot tubs are most enjoyable to dip in when they are in their cleanest state. You can soak without worry and let the troubles and all your problems slip away as you relax with the massage provided by your hot tub.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Improving Your Home Spa As An Investment


By Andy Go

If you were to scrutinize the design of a spa, you would notice that the basic element would be the pipes, which could be the source either water or steam. This is the same element that is absent in portable spas and tubs, because in these models you no longer need to have a permanent source of water. The only thing that would be indispensable is the source of electricity.


Spa piping and circulation system


Putting in place a spa or pool circulation arrangement involves not only filters, disinfection tools and pumps. All of those elements should be attached to a piping system. Ideally, states along with local codes demand that the materials to be used must be licensed to ANSI/NSF Standard 14 which covers the clean water products.


Piping certification procedure


The licensing procedure done for plastic piping materials has several common elements which are also employed in the certification of the spa and pool circulation apparatuses. The program includes the unexpected audit of the product resources, the launching of minimum quality control prerequisites and of course the yearly testing in order to confirm the sustained compliance of the product.


The actual process


Throughout the inspection of the production service, a NSF crew validates that every element of the product and the procedure that is employed for the creation of the product observe the requisites of the NSF and Standard certification principles.


The validation includes the evaluation of the particular preparation information on the substances that are used to create the by product. The auditor is also responsible in conducting a physical assessment of some products which are currently created and on the process of inventory. These materials would be tested in NSF laboratories.


Maintenance


The maintenance of your spa's piping system should be included in your ongoing cost budget. Together with the chemicals which you must determine the amount beforehand, where they should be bought and the estimate cost of the chemicals. Filters, electricity, water costs and the repair costs are also included together with the maintenance of the piping system.


Overall, it isn't appalling to invest on some features which will surely make the spa last longer and in the end assure you absolute relaxation. For if taken care of accordingly, home spas are a good investment which could help raise the cost of your home.