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.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Tips In Selecting the Best Hot Tub


By Andy Go


Your own hot tub? Most people would love to have one, readily available to soak in after a hard day at work. Lucky are those who can afford to have one at home because a hot tub has both mental and physical therapeutic effects. The water pressure on different parts of the body improves blood circulation, soothes minor sore muscles, eases minor ordinary pains as well as discomforts from arthritis.


A hot tub is expensive, so anyone planning to have one installed at home should try to select the best hot tub. The best hot tub is one that fits your budget, the space available and the operating cost and is one that makes the user feel that he or she got what they paid for.


The following should be considered in selecting the best hot tub:


1. Budget

How much is available to spend for a new hot tub?


2. Location and the size of the hot tub

Check the needed space for the hot tub and the accompanying accessories and plumbing. Check also if after the installation there is enough space for the user to move around. Are the passageways big enough to bring the tub to the space where it will be installed?


3. Ventilation

Hot water will make it humid, so plan for exhaust fans unless you intend to install the hot tub outdoors.


4. Outdoor tub location

Is it convenient for the user? If the tub is to be installed on a deck, is it strong enough and safe?


5. Hot tub and accessories

- Water Jets which are of different types. Discuss with the supplier so you get what you really want.
- Safety rails for safe entry and exit from the tub.
- Storage cabinets for the chemicals and other items needed for the hot tub.
- Panel locking for safety
- Automatic shut off feature for cost saving.
- Remote Control to set the bath condition up to a certain distance from the tub.


6. Operating cost

This mostly concerns the cost of electricity. Know the difference in cost between an outdoor and indoor hot tub.


7. Test Drive

Even small electrical appliances are tested before they are sold, so ask the retailer for a test drive. An important feature to check is the actual effects of the jets you plan to choose.


If the hot tub functions as expected, is within the intended budget, and fits the place well, then it is the best hot tub.