Winter Hot Tubs
When the temperatures drop, our instincts tell us to get inside and stay there. The thought of just walking down to the corner shop or walking the distance to our cars sometimes makes us cold just thinking about it. We don’t do well in the extreme cold here in the UK but over the last few winters we have experienced more snow and cold weather than we have in a while.
However, winter is also an ideal time to have a hot tub. Not just indoors to warm you up after walking in the cold, but outdoors! Having on a hot tub in your back garden or on your back porch is the perfect way to enjoy winter. People in other countries that endure long winters such as Scandinavians and North Americans have long been enjoying this winter treat.
Many hot tubs come with settings for winter, and built in timers so that you do not have to spend a lot of energy warming up a bunch of cold water to hot every time you want to use it. These in built timers just maintain the temperature so that it can be quickly heated up. However if your hot tub does not have these winter settings then it is worth just having an electrician come and install a timer for it.
Many people immediately cannot imagine the cost of using as hot tub in the winter. As we pay much more for our fuel in the UK than those in the USA, and stress about our own basic indoor heating bill, it may not be a financially practical thing to do using our hot tub outside, during the winter. However you can save money but turning off the jets as they use up more energy.
Those who have experienced sitting in a hot tub while the snow is falling will tell you it is an experience well worth having, and repeating! There is nothing nicer than a hot bath after a cold day, but a soak in a hot tub outside on a cold evening is even better.
Anyone looking for Hot Tubs For Sale should head to the Vita Spa Hot Tubs website.
Are Hot tubs just a luxury?
We assume anyone who actually buys a hot tub for their own personal use is being pretty decadent and luxurious. Yet hot tubs are not just about how good they feel. They have several health benefits and can help improve the health of people suffering from several conditions. And admit it, you thought about it the last time you sunk into one at the gym.
Yet hot tubs have health benefits. It’s not all just about the luxury. In fact, hot tubs are one of life’s indulgences that actually leaves you better off afterwards. It’s no wonder ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used hot baths for therapeutic as well as medicinal purposes. Sitting in moving hot water helps the blood vessels in your body to dilate. This results in better circulation, and is good for the heart and overall health.
There is nothing like hydrotherapy in a hot tub if you have any sort of chronic pain, arthritis, or rheumatism. Instead of taking pain killers, you can float in hot water where the heat makes collagen tissue more malleable and eases movement, reducing the symptoms of these conditions.
Even if you don’t have a physical reason for using a hot tub regularly, there is no disputing that hot tubs help with stress. At the end of a stressful day, which is most days in this culture, a quick fifteen minute soak can really help you unwind and relax, and lead to a better night’s sleep. It’s a mental relaxation as well as a physical one.
Hot tubs can be a great place just to spend quality time. Put away the image of wild parties and drinks flowing. They can be a great place for a couple to just relax and chat or for family members and friends to chill out. Much better than the TV or computer. They are great for when you feel you are coming down with an illness, just what you need for a quick detox as the raised body temperature will flush any illness right out of your system.
Anyone looking for Hot Tubs For Sale should head to www.vitaspa-hottubs.co.uk.
Use These Tips The Next Time You Have An Outdoor Furniture Project
Outdoor furniture is different from those found indoors because they are made with the weather in mind. Changes in weather, from sunshine to torrential rain, will always happen and such should be considered in the construction. There have been quite a lot of techniques accumulated through the years of woodworking and let us find out what these are.
Experienced woodworkers know that there are types of wood that work great outdoors. If you are able to source them, the best wood for such projects are tropical species. Such include teak and mahogany because they contain oils that repel water or discourage the growth of decay-causing micro-organisms.
Pressure-treated wood can also be used in outside applications. Such wood is impregnated with poison that deters the growth of bacteria. This makes the wooden fibers unpalatable to bacteria and fungi, thus preventing rot to develop.
Not all treatments are the same. Those with a rating of LP-2 are good enough for making furniture. They should not be used in water immersed applications instead a rating of LP-22 or higher should be used.
Moisture in wood, aside from causing decay, will corrode attached metals such as nails, hinges, and screws. For outdoor use, metals should be treated accordingly. Everyday nails and screws will only rust and discolor wood and worse, will eventually weaken the structure. A common treatment for metals to make them suitable for exterior applications is galvanizing. A coating of zinc is applied to the metal. This makes them resistant to corrosion but only in applications exposed to freshwater
When it cannot be avoided to place your project near seawater, then fixtures such as nails, screws, and hinges should be made of stainless steel or brass. Because they are commonly used in nautical conditions, using stainless steel and brass in your projects will make them robust near seawater.
Experienced craftsmen always account for wood expansion when it becomes moist. For every foot across the grain, there is an accompanying quarter inch expansion. When your construction plan does not account for changes in width when wood becomes moist, such will result in a failed structure.
Another technique passed down through the ages is to never expose end grain to rain. Wood is very porous at its ends. When such cannot be avoided, cut it at an angle so that it sheds water faster.
Good examples of construction show spaces between wooden boards. These spaces allow wood to safely expand and permit water to drain rapidly. For tabletops, common spacing range from a quarter to half an inch.
End grain of legs of tables and chairs will always come in contact with the ground. It is a good idea to seal them so that water will not wick up through the wood fibers. Common seals of end grain are varnish and wax.
The techniques mentioned have been acquired by craftsmen of the past. They have been found to be effective that is why they are still practiced today. You should use them in your projects to ensure that future generations will enjoy them the same way you do today.
Find which patio furniture Woodbridge and/or Toronto resin wicker patio furniture will suit your needs. At hot tubs we carry a variety of products and brands that suit your needs.
Keeping Above Ground Pools Safe during Winter Season
Once you start to feel the cool breeze of winter air, it is a sign that fun days in swimming pools are coming to an end because it needs to be protected from the cold season. Winterizing is the procedure that is done in order to get pools ready. It is an important task especially because the iced cold water could cause damage to your swimming pool. This also ensures that the pool water will be free from any dirt and debris, making your cleaning task for upcoming spring relatively easier.
Above ground pools are easier to winterize and in doing this, homeowners could save time on their routine maintenance when pool season starts again. The good news is that there is no need to pay for this type of service; this is something that anyone could do. Learn these easy steps on how you can protect your own above ground swimming pool:
1. Set a date on when you plan to close the pool and about a week prior to this start checking the water’s chemical content. The following chemical components should be balanced: Calcium hardness, pH and alkalinity. This step is necessary in order to protect the surface of the pool from etching. You could also add a winterizing chemical kit that will help preserve the quality and color of the water.
2. Follow the instructions on shocking your pool. This term is used to describe the form of water treatment that is done by raising the water’s chlorine level in order to kill bacteria and other organic compound present in the water.
3. Start removing the different parts of the pool such as the ladder, skimmer basket and chemical feeders. This is in preparation for the next step which is to lower the water level just right below the mouth of the skimmer. Remember that water tends to expand when it freezes and this could cause damage to the pool’s filtration and plumbing system.
4. Using a wall brush, start cleaning the flooring and the walls in order to remove dirt buildup. Doing this step now could save you a lot of time during spring time. Scrub it thoroughly and remove debris from the water.
5. Follow the steps on how to properly drain water from the pump and filtering system. This could require a little work as it may require disassembling some of its parts. It will be ideal to remove the pump, filter and pressure gauge and have it stored on a room with a warmer temperature.
The last step is to secure your above ground pool with a cover that is sturdy and air tight that way no debris can get into the pool. An air pillow can also be placed at the center in order to absorb the pressure from the water and an added protection for the walls. Ensure that is can withstand the cold environment by securing that the cover is well placed.
Looking to find the best deal on swimming pools, then visit Mark Carson’s site to find the best advice on pools and pool pumps.
How to Replace a Hot Tub Pump
Spa owners should accept the fact that there hot tub pump will fail. The damage of this failure can be much larger than a new pump. Routine inspection of your hot tub pump will help prevent damages. A good spa pump will last 6-8 years so be prepared to replace your older pumps.
A good rule to follow is to inspect your hot tub pump every time you clean your spa filter. You should be checking for water leakage, loud noises and hot pump motors. If you find any of these symptoms then it is time to repair or replace your pump before the pump fails and damages other parts such as the heater.
Water is a sure sign of trouble. Look closely at the spa pump and determine where it is coming from. It may be leaking from the ports and simply need to be tightened or require new o-rings. It may be coming from the motor shaft and pump housing. This is usually a sign of a leaking bearing and will need to be fixed before the bearing fails completely and you have a flood to deal with. Also check the pump housing for small cracks. A cracked housing will get bigger with vibration and should be fixed or a new housing purchased.
If you hear excessive noise you may find it is coming from the pump’s sealed bearing or the motor. If the spa pump bearing is worn, this means the pump is working harder to overcome the worn bearing. It is also a sign that leaks will follow. Take care of this right away! if the pump is making excessive noise then chance are the motor windings are failing and it is time for a new spa pump.
Poor water flow in your spa is generally not caused by pumps. A pump either works or does not work. however the impeller can become clogged or a something might be lodge inside the pump housing. Remove both ports and physically look inside the pump. Check for obstructions. Try and spin the impeller, it should not turn freely as there should be resistance from the spa motor. If you are experiencing poor flow, I would suggest looking at your filter and suctions as the leading cause.
A normal hot tub motor will give off heat under regular conditions. However, you should be able to place your hand on the pump motor. If you find that it is very hot, then there may be internal motor problems. A very hot pump means energy is being wasted and can be costly. The cooler a pump motor runs the more efficient it is.
A spa pump has a starting capacitor that gives it extra juice when starting. If you pump hums and or the main breaker trips then the capacitor may be shot. However, there are a couple other things to check first. Make sure the impeller is free to move and that nothing is lodged. Also make sure no ice has formed inside the pump housing causing the impeller to stick.
If you decide for a new pump, make sure you choose a quality pump. You need to match port sizes usually 1.5″ or 2″. Also you need to determine whether you need a 1 speed or 2 speed pump (check the label). Also you should match the voltage, is your pump 110-120 VAC or 220-240 VAC? Finally, ensure you match the amps listed on your pump with similar amps. Never assume HP listed on the pump is accurate (often used as marketing gimmick by manufacturers), use the Amps rating as a proper guide.
When looking for new pumps consider quality. Remember your old pump failed so try and buy a pump that will last even longer. All manufacturer’s make replacement pumps so don’t feel you need to replace your spa pump with the same brand name. Paying a slight premium can be a great investment versus the cost of a failure! Premium pumps will last longer, run quieter and consume less power.
Replacing your Hot Tub Heater.
There becomes a time in every hot tub owners life when your spa pack and hot tub heater will eventually fail. The dilemma will then be whether you replace or repair your heater. This is a question that I guarantee all spa owners will eventually come across. No matter how well built your spa heater is, it will eventually fail. There are a few tips that I can share with you that will help you make this decision.
The first thing that has to be considered is the age of your existing spa pack and spa controller. If your hot tub heater is older than 5 years, I would suggest you look at replacing it with a new heater. As a heater ages, the internal parts become worn and also if your tub heater is past 5 years of age, chances are you will continue to experience multiple failures in the coming years.
If your older spa pack is analog, then you should really think of upgrading to a digital spa controller. A digital spa pack comes with a LED or LCD top side controller providing many advantages. You can change the temperature right at the hot tub without getting out of the tub. The digital controller is much more accurate meaning your water will stay at the temperature it is set for. The topside display will also give you the exact temperature of the water. Digital spa packs have solid state construction meaning there are no moving parts to break down.
Replacing a failed heating element is perhaps the least expensive spa repair. A heater element can be repaired by most spa owners without calling a service technician. If you are comfortable with this type of repair you may find the cost is around $100.
Operating cost savings! Most new spa packs manufacturer’s such as Balboa have programmable energy savings options built into their spa pack. This means you can set you tub temperature to economy modes when you are away. The programmable advantages of a digital pack could pay for itself just in operating cost savings.
Are you a handy man? Can you troubleshoot electronics? If not then you are looking at hiring a spa repair shop to fix your heater. This can quickly escalate the repair costs. On site visits can run $70-$100/hour. If they have to take your spa pack back to the shop then you are looking at most expenses. In the end you may pay more than a new spa pack to replace a $20 part.
Look at the cost to repair versus replacing your spa heater. Most brand new state of the art spa packs start in the range of about $500 and up. This means a new warranty and all new parts. The average repair bill for a hot tub heater is around $400 and up. Do the math, and in most cases you will find in the long term, you may be throwing away good money.
Spa packs are universal. Most dealers will not tell you this, as they want you to replace your spa pack with the same one you had. This is the same as a GM telling you, you need to use only their brakes? Shop around and don’t be scared, spa packs all do the same thing. When looking for a replacement pack always consider quality and the warranty.
I hope this article has provided you with the information needed to make a decision to replace or repair your spa pack.