Buying Your First Hot Tub

Based on the years of experience in repairs and installations on hot tubs here’s some things that I think would like to know prior to purchasing one.

Do You Want to Buy the First Hot Tub?

Are you thinking about purchasing the first spa, right? (Yes, I’m Canadian.) The entire article should be your first correct move. According to the saying”knowledge is power.

It is likely that you will enjoy your hot spa. Based on the years of performing repairs and installations in many most frigid winters on this globe and with almost every brand and model available that is available There are a few points to look into prior to making your purchase.

We’re not planning to go into the specific brand names since they all have advantages and disadvantages and, most importantly, I have never received any money from them. The purchase of a large-ticket item such as the hot tub is generally an individual choice and could cost you more in the event that you don’t do your research before you buy, so I’m going to offer few suggestions on things to consider before buying. The rest is yours to decide.

Okay, enough intro. Let’s get right to the point. Here’s the deal.

How Much Will You Spend?

The first step is to take a hard review of your finances. Which budget do you want to stick with? Determine what you are able to spend before you begin your search and make sure you stay within the budget while shopping for the best deal.

Beware of the sales representatives. They’re on commission and make money by squeezing you with an array of unnecessary extras that you don’t really require. However, with a little knowledge, you can walk into any retailer selling hot tubs with confidence , knowing exactly what you’re looking for and asking the right questions, and remaining within your budget.

Don’t be afraid of negotiating. There are huge price increases for hot tubs, particularly when you begin adding additional amenities, and there’s always space to bargain over the final price of your purchase. Keep in mind that you don’t require these hot tubs. There are plenty of players who would like to take your money and if they’re not willing to talk, and play with someone else. Don’t overindulge and anticipate a flimsy agreement, but it’s is always a good idea to ask.

The most affordable brands. Some time ago one of the biggest retail stores for wholesale discounts (whose name I will not discuss) launched beautiful, but not well-made range of hot tubs that cost approximately $5,000. They quickly sold tons of hot tubs. I’m sure that most people reading this article have an concept about the chain of stores you’re talking about. However, once the first cold winter storm arrived, water pipes began popping, pumps began to freeze and shells started to crack. I’m thankful I wasn’t part of that calamity since I heard that the average of 500 tubs per week being returned to the company. However, the buying public believes they can buy a an excellent, brand new hot tub for less than $5,000, when they really can’t.

If you are offered a brand new hot tub for less than $5,000, it’s probably a low-cost knock-off made in China that is likely to cost more to repair than the money you spent on it. So be cautious about what you are paying for with your hard-earned cash. According to the old saying you get what you purchase.

I agree that traditional hot tub retailers have been undercutting customers for years however, they provide additional protection for the installation and warranty work that they provide when you purchase locally. That alone is worth the additional cost and peace of mind should you encounter any issues in the future with your tub, however, you’ll still have be paying between $8,000 and $14,000 for a basic well-constructed hot tub. And when you begin adding additional features like stereos, additional jets or LCD screens, the price will rise.

Where will You Put the Hot Tub?

Installing inside: If you install your tub inside, your main concern will be venting the water released from the tub. Additionally, you will need to ensure an adequate drainage system.

Installing outside: the more close the hot tub is to your house and your home, the less cost. Electric wires running through your home to the electrical panel can be expensive and the further away the more advantageous, not to mention the work involved if you need to dig a trench beneath a person who doesn’t know how to lay electrical cables.

If your tub is in the dirt, you should remember that, if you’re in a climate that is colder each spring, the ground begins to melt. If your tub is set on the ground when the ground begins to melt in the spring, it’ll alter the amount of water inside the tub, causing significant stress. If the shell begins to crack then you’re in for a major problem.

It is likely that you will need to dig a hole at least four feet down to reach below the frostline before pouring the concrete slab to that depth or, if placed on a deck, make sure that the deck is able to support the extra weight.

A typical six-person hot tub filled with water is likely to weigh at least 5000 pounds. Without any of your wild drinking friends swimming around, so consider whether the space you are contemplating putting your tub on can handle the load. In the event that it is not, then you could need to consider digging four foot-deep holes to build cement support posts that rise from just above the level of the ground or even higher, and then set four-inch square, pressure treated wooden posts just beneath your deck’s floorjoists, or underneath the deck, to hold the weight of the tub. Four concrete columns should work perfectly and you may even be able to do it only two, if you do it correctly. A skilled handyman or carpenter could do the job even if you’re unfamiliar with the procedure , but should it be completed, you must make sure you do it prior to when your tub is installed.

It’s a pain to invite all your guests at your hot tub celebration and then the whole tub falls over on your deck as well as wires that are loose , with water splashing everywhere and people walking into the tub. It’s not the kind of excitement they planned on creating at your event. I’m smelling a lawsuit if someone is injured, or even worse, why should you risk it? Take it easy from the beginning.

Before you buy…

Tip: When you take the skirting covers off of the side of your tub, and examine the inside of the shell you will see that it has been spray-painted all over the jet hose connections however in the event that the foam has been removed or altered the tub, that means the leak was in the tub and someone tried to repair it. If water is still flowing out, then you’re likely to have problems and that’s why the…

Always purchase a tub that is filled with water.

It’s important to know when purchasing a new or used. It might have been just a bad seal but now that they know that you know, it makes for a great final-price-negotiating tool and if you are buying from a retail store, make sure that those problems were addressed and written in the warranty in case there are any problems down the road.

Hot Tub Insulation: Do You Need It?

A good insulation level is an important element in keeping your electricity expenses low. You should ensure that the entire outer part of the shell has been coated with foam insulation that is at least 33 millimeters thick/2.5 inches (standard). 100 mm is even better. You can test this by taking off the skirting panels that surround the tub’s shell.

Another great insulating element is the use of a thermo blanket (at at least 1-inch thick typically about 18″ wide by 30″ dependent on the dimensions of the tub) connected at the bottom of skirting boards within the tub itself. The majority look like an oval piece of foam, with a thick aluminum foil over it, screwed into the skirting’s back to the inside the tub. (Another NASA invention filtering its way to the market for retail.)

This helps keep cold out, as well as reflect the heat coming from the pumps back to the space around the tub’s inside This assists in controlling the temperature inside your tub , so that your heating system doesn’t have to work so hard to keep the temperature of your water exactly as you want it to be. This can result in lower monthly heating costs.

Simply simply, when I get home and get in, my hot tub and find it at the temperature I had it set for the insulation I talked about is in place precisely as I would like it to do.

Hot Tub Jets How Many? Air or Water?

Jets? How many jets ? It’s dependent on the number of people who will be in the tub, and the areas of your body do you wish to massage. When you begin to experience 30 40, 40 or 50, and 100 jets or more, you’ll require and desire another, or maybe a an additional air or water pump be sure to keep this in mind when you are pricing out units. It is important to ensure that all jets are running with using water as well as air.

Air jets or water? It’s also beneficial to have a mix between jets, and air. Water is the bigger (jacuzzi) jets while air are smaller, 1-inch jets. They work well together to produce various effects on a range of muscle regions. Certain areas in your body. such as your back, for instance, might require an intense, penetrating water jet massage, while other areas, such as your feet, could benefit from the comfort of a gentle air bubble massage. It’s beneficial to have two alternatives.

TIP: Never forget your feet. It’s a mistake that a lot of buyers make during the process of buying because they’re looking for the cool LCD or stereo screen instead, and are always regretful for not having it. Our feet absorb the majority of our body weight daily and are subject to a lot of punishment. Don’t overlook to pamper your tired feet a massage, too (hydro-Reiki is what I call it).

Massage for the whole body is the way to go I believe that it is the best way to get there.

Another tip: Make sure you purchase stainless steel jet rings, not PVC (PVC) and whatever else they choose to call it nowadays. Plastic is prone to wear out with the use of tubs and cracks. It is very difficult in the butt for changing and replace.

Do You Really Need A Cover for Your Hot Tub Cover?

If you’re a person who experiences frigid winters, the more thick the cover the more durable. A cover that is five inches thick with four inch sides can do a lot of work in keeping the warmth inside the tub, where it belongs.

The majority of 5 person hot tubs have an average three-inch-thick lid however if you reside in colder climates you should consider spending the extra cash for a more robust cover. If your retailer doesn’t sell these, you can visit the internet and place an order.

I’d like to ask an inquiry: Have have ever stepped into an outdoor hot tub that had the cover in place and observed steam coming from the sides, as if it was a pressure cooker, and thought”Oh that’s cool”? If you’re an owner of a hot tub this is not something you’d like to see as it could mean a significant loss of heat that can lead to greater costs for power. This is not a good thing.

Covers are another thing that if there’s an inch of fresh snow in the dirt, and an inch of fresh snow over my hot tub’s covers, I’m a content hot tub owner because I know that there won’t be any heat loss that will go straight through the cover’s top or down the sides.

If you are in the middle of a storm but there isn’t any snow on your roof this means that you will experience a loss of heat , which again results in greater heating bills. This is not a good thing. Custom-designed, thick covers are the best. This is among your best investment options.

TIP Note: The law in Canada it is illegal to leave the hot tub cover not locked if there’s no person in your spa. The reason is because young children are able to easily climb through the steps before falling in the bath as has been the case numerous times. Therefore, ensure that you secure your cover whenever you are not in use. What’s the risk in an inexpensive fix? The majority of covers come with a tiny lock and key as standard equipment. So, keep keys in a safe in a secure, locked location.

Cover lifters work well when you’re not able folded the covering in half to take it away, and put it on the wall. However, If you’re alone or face physical limitations it is advisable to invest in an item to lift your cover. It is a relatively inexpensive, but worthwhile purchase. The covers can be difficult to lift and can be awkward in certain situations, particularly if you’re tired or suffering from some kind of discomfort. Lifters are available in various models that are completely automated or feature hydraulic pumps to allow for effortless movement. I would suggest visiting the closest dealer and examining them to determine if you’re purchasing from them. Everyone has their own needs.