Hot Tub Maintanence

Proper maintenance of a hot tub is important to get the most enjoyment out of the investment. In order to keep a hot tub clean and running properly, the water needs to be treated with hot tub chemicals. Before treating the water, however, the hot tub owner should test the water with Ph strips to test the acidity of the water and to know what steps to take to treat the tub. There are available sanitizers, such as chlorine and bromine, both of which have some strong odors to them. Another option for killing bacteria is the less-odorous biguanide, which is hydrogen-peroxide based. In addition, the hot tub will need shock oxidizers but into them in order to remove dead skin, lotion, and oils. Shock oxidizers also keep the water clear and make the tub look very clean. Also, the water does need to be completely changed every two or three months, regardless of how well the hot tub is treated.

Find the Right Spa Pump

The most important part of any spa is the pump. When the pump is not functioning correctly, you lose some or all of the features of your spa. Many times the malfunction is due to trash or worn bearings and can easily be repaired. However, the pump may need to be replaced.

Choosing the right replacement pump is essential to restoring the spa’s features to their original performance. Installing an identical pump is the best way to achieve those results. If you are unsure about the pump, you may check the owner’s manual, contact the spa parts manufacturer, or find a local representative. . Buying the pump locally has the advantage of professional installation.

If you cannot find a pump that matches the original pump, you should find a replacement pump using the following features as a guide.
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Horsepower determines the force that you will feel when relaxing in the spa. If the original pump was satisfactory, you should find a pump with the same horsepower. If you desire more force, you may want to buy a motor with higher horsepower; however, you should be certain that your control and electrical system can handle the additional power. A good general rule is not to exceed the original pump’s horsepower by more than one horsepower.

Spa Pump Speed controls the amount of water being shot into the pool and is measured in gallons per minute. The distance that the water travels is determined by the pressure and is increased with additional pressure.

Voltage is available in 115V and 230V. Both voltages are available in most homes. However, you must make certain that an electrical connection is available for your spa.

Center or Side Discharge pumps are available. Be certain that the replacement pump is the same type as the original.

PVC Pipe Size is another consideration. Spas use either 1.5” or 2” nominal pipe sizes. The size determines the movement and force of the water flow.

The 1.5” pipe has a circumference slightly below six inches and an outside diameter about 1.875 inches.

The 2” pipe has a circumference slightly over seven inches and an outside diameter of 1.375 inches.

The horsepower of your replacement pump may be changed from the original pump. However, you should make certain that the replacement pump will be a proper fit for the original pump. Changing the other features of the original pump may involve additional expense.

Hot Tubs are Great for Recovery

Hot tubs are great for unwinding after a long day at work, or for entertaining friends. But hot tubs also provide a great way to recover from a hard workout or from a physically demanding day.

The hot water relaxes muscles, easing recovery-inhibiting tension. Sore muscles are soothed. The flow of blood to the muscles is increased, which boosts the body’s ability to heal itself.

Sometimes a heating pad is used to apply heat to a specific muscle. Liquid heat, as in a hot tub, is much more effective. The muscle is completely surrounded by warmth, and the heat is better able to penetrate into deep tissue. Furthermore, you can heat all of your muscles at one time. You may have muscles you didn’t even know were sore, but they will get the same benefit.

Make sure to use the jets, too. If the jets are directly on you they provide a gentle massage. Even if they aren’t, though, they still cause the water to churn and vibrate, which produces a calming effect on the muscles. Just make sure you don’t stay in too long, and that you don’t get in when you’re already dehydrated.

Hot Tub Water Testing

To maintain healthy, clean water it is important to perform regular hot tub water testing. The simplest way to do this is to purchase a small container of hot tub test strips. Before you do that you need to decide whether you are going to use chlorine or bromine to clean the water, because test strips usually test for one or the other, but not both.

Once you’ve determined your cleaning chemical, select a test strip that tests for that chemical, as well as for pH and alkalinity. These are the three most important aspects of the water that must be tested.

Usually the test strip uses a color-coded method of determining the results. On a typical test strip there are three pads. One pad tests the cleaning chemical, one the pH, and one the alkalinity. Dip the strip in the water and then look at the three pads to see what colors they become. Compare the colors with the color ranges on the bottle to figure out the results.

Test strips usually come with a lot of them in a bottle, but they have a short shelf-life. Therefore, don’t be afraid to use them frequently, even daily if you use the hot tub a lot.