What to Consider When Buying a Hot Tub

There are not too many ways that are better to unwind and fully relax your muscles, than the warm massaging water of a hot tub. This could be one of the greatest additions to your home. The days or weeks before you buy a hot tub, there are several things you should consider before you make the big purchase.

The most desirable hot tubs are taller and can be a little difficult to climb into. To help alleviate this issue, in ground installation might be the perfect option for you, especially if you have a patio or deck area that could fit and incorporate a hot tub. If there is no option for in ground installation at your home, condo or vacation house, focus your search on models that include hot tub steps and maybe add a hot tub handrail.

In order to promote safety for your family and neighbors, we suggest features such as automatic shut off and a strong, locking cover, which are standard on all the hot tubs from Spas And Stuff. Some cities might actually require you to have a gate or fence around the hot tub as well, so make sure you check your local regulations.

Make sure you consider the location of your hot tub near required utilities and hook ups that you need. Also, research hot tub options so you are aware of the cost of the particular spa and style you are looking for. Sometimes a major expense for a first-time hot tub purchaser is site preparation. Even an empty spa can easily weigh close to 1,000 pounds. Be smart and consult with a qualified contractor or structural engineer to make certain that whatever the support structure, it will be sufficient to carry the spa’s load size. If you need a simple pad for your ground and you do not want to use concrete, see our Spa Pads.

The health benefits of hot tub use are also an amazing bonus factor to consider. Joint pain relief, detoxing, increased blood flow, and better sleep are all benefits of hot tub use and hydrotherapy.

Hot tubs are a great addition to your home and are an amazing place to bring friends and family together. Spas And Stuff offers a great selection of hot tubs and hot tub accessories at low prices with free shipping. Our customer service reps can help you select the best hot tub choice for you.

Cooling your Hot Tub for Summer Fun

The temperatures are rising and the heat of summer is on! With high humidity levels in many areas of the mid west and east coast, and skyrocketing temperatures of 120 in some parts of the west and southwest, a warm hot tub might not sound appealing during the dead of summer.

Spas and hot tubs can make the perfect mini pool if you only have a small deck or patio, or if you don’t want to deal with the maintenance of an above ground pool. Hot tub owners can go into "cool water mode" by turning the temperature down as low as possible so the heater will not come on. This will allow you to enjoy cooler water in the hot, hot heat. Once you remove the hot tub cover and turn on the jets, the spa will begin to cool immediately. Make sure you have any air and waterfall type features on, as this will assist in cooling the water. To keep the spa cooler, you can put the cover back on so the sun doesn’t reheat the tub. You can also try leaving the cover off at night, where the cooler ambient night air can help cool the water. Important to note thought that it is very difficult to get the water below the actual ambient air temperature.

Having a hot tub gives you the perfect soaking tub/pool that is easy to maintain and a great size for those who don’t have a lot of room. Another great benefit is the cost savings that comes from cooling down your hot tub. You don’t have to pay for heating during the warm summer months. This reduces your operating costs for many months, saving you money while still allowing you to enjoy your spa.

If you have small children, cooling down your hot tub will be perfect to allow them to swim without having to invest in a full size pool. They can splash around, enjoy some lemonade, and have the perfect place to spend your warm summer months. Kids love pools during the summer and a small pool is perfect for you to be able to watch the kids in a small space while allowing them to blow off some energy splashing in the water.

SpasAndStuff.com has the largest selection of spas and hot tubs in many different shapes, sizes, styles and price points to fit your needs and exactly what you are looking for. Being able to use the hot tub all year is an added bonus for the family. So what are you waiting for? Get your kids and family the gift of a hot tub that will keep on giving, even all summer and all winter long!

Hot Tub Don'ts

Hot tubs are an amazing stable in any entertainer’s house. If you love getting people together, there is no easier way to attract people to your backyard than with owning a hot tub. Spas are relatively easy to use, but there are many bloopers out there teaching people what not to do. Before you learn these horrible experiences on your own the hard way, we will help so you don’t have to make these mistakes on your own.

The following are several “don't's” when it comes to hot tub use:

Don’t Dive
Hot tubs are relatively shallow and this diving explanation seems like something that should not have to be posted here. The problem is when people see water, some automatically turn into an Olympic diver. Diving head first into three feet of water is never a good idea.

Don’t Fall Out of the Hot Tub
If you spend a great deal of time relaxing in the warm waters of your hot tub, you may find your muscles are loose and more relaxed than ever when you exit said spa. Make sure you go slow so that you don't fall upon exiting. Stairs can be slippery and there could be water everywhere.

Don’t Drink Too Much Alcohol
Because the hot water in a hot tub causes your red blood cells to dilate, it increases the absorption of alcohol into your blood stream and multiplies the effects of alcohol on your system. So use caution when enjoying the libations and again, watch the exit!

Don’t Get Trigger Happy on the Temperature Button
Make sure you focus on a comfortable, hot spa temperature instead of overdoing it. It can harm your health if you aren't able to handle it. Take note of the recommended hot tub settings and don’t make your tub hotter than that. US regulations limit a hot tub to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don’t Forget To Keep It Clean
Have you ever been excited to hang out in someone’s hot tub and noticed how nasty the water looked before you got in? So you made an excuse like you had a birthday party, mother’s anniversary or work meeting to get to. Make sure to keep your water clean by keeping the sanitizer at the proper level at all times. The warm water of hot tubs can provide an ideal breeding ground for potentially harmful microorganisms if we did not initiate and maintain an effective sanitizer system to control them. Make sure you keep it clean so it is an enjoyable experience for all.

This list will help you have the most enjoyable hot tub sessions and parties in 2012, without the embarrassing mishaps that might make the top viewed YouTube videos. Check out www.SpasAndStuff.com for our latest hot tubs and accessories to make your outdoor hot tub the top place to hang out. A definite Do!

How To Find the Right Hot Tub The First Time

It can be a daunting process to find the right hot tub once you decide to make that big leap. You want to make sure you get the right one, and don’t get a headache in the process. Here we will give you some tips on how not to get soaked when buying a hot tub, and find the right one the first time.

Tip 1 – Find a hot tub dealer that will help you with questions AFTER you buy the hot tub, not just before you get it. This is one of the most important parts of buying a hot tub, and make sure you find a dealer that you can trust. You want a company that will help you with water tips and advice, even after you set up the hot tub and begin enjoying your first soak, to make sure you will be happy for many years to come. Don’t fall for pressure at a random location, but make sure to do your homework and find someone that has a strong standing business with good referrals or reviews.

Tip 2 - Be weary of expensive add-ons and shipping costs when buying your hot tub. SpasAndStuff.com offers free shipping on all of its hot tubs, taking care of one of those costs that can add up in the hot tub buying process.

Tip 3 – Don’t buy a hot tub at a fair or carnival, where you see allegedly great deals and extremely pushy salespeople. You need to do your research before you make this big purchase, and be able to ask a knowledgeable person about hot tubs, costs and cleaning. Fairs do not offer this. Also, they are normally run by companies that move onto the next fair the next day, leaving you with a lot of questions and no one to call.

Final Tip – Don’t buy your hot tub on craigslist. Sure, you could get lucky and think it’s a great deal. The problem is the reason people are selling their hot tubs on craigslist.com is because they make be really expensive to heat or they cannot get the water clean and clear. Don’t let their lemon become your lemon.

We have many, many clients that say their hot tub was one of their best purchases, and it will offer them benefits for years to come. They are always welcome to contact us if they have nay questions, as we are here to help and ensure you are happy with your purchase. If you have any current hot tub questions, please contact us to discuss how we may be able to help.

Make Your Hot Tub Cover Last

Hot tub covers can help save you money, as well as time on cleaning. You should always cover your hot tub or spa when it is not in use, and also when you are warming it to conserve energy and warm the hot tub quicker. Take care of the hot tub cover and it will last for many years.

The following are some useful tips from www.spasandstuff.com to help your new replacement spa cover last:

• If you are in warmer climates or a sunny state, a quality UVA/UVB vinyl protectant is mandatory to ensure your cover if protected from the scorching sun. Just as you would protect your skin, your hot tub needs sunscreen too! Apply the protectant three to four times a year to help save the cover from the damaging rays of the sun. Do not use Armor All brand protectants since they contain petroleum distillates and can damage vinyl over the long-term. A quality soap or marine application protectant is good and will help preserve your cover.

• If you use Bromine in your hot tub, try to keep the level used to a minimum as the gas can cause peeling on the underside of your spa cover. It will also make the cover brittle and fall apart quicker.

• Leave your cover open or completely off for an entire jet run cycle of at least 15 to 20 minutes so the expelled gasses can escape each time you shock the spa. This will help protect the underside of your cover as well. It will also help clear the water for clarity and cleanliness. No one wants to enjoy a murky hot tub!

• Always inspect the cover for cuts or holes in the vinyl, especially if they are breaching the inner plastic vapor barrier. This plastic envelopes the foam core, helping keep the cover dry and in tip top shape. Even a small hole in the cover will allow moisture to slowly seep in and the cover will get heavier and heavier. Once the Styrofoam becomes saturated and heavy, it is ruined and does not have much of an R-Value. In order to fix the plastic, make sure the cover is dry and you can use good quality clear postal mailing tape to seal the hole back up. Keep an eye to confirm this area stays dry every time you use the hot tub.

• Finally, you can remove the foam cores in the cover (most zipper out at the hinge) to flip them over. Once you put them back in, this should help reverse a sag in the cover if you have one. You could do this once a year (or twice a year if your hot tub is seven feet or bigger). This is a great time to also inspect the plastic vinyl cover for any additional holes and repair those as well.

We hope these tips help you preserve your new replacement hot tub cover. If your cover has various holes and needs to be replaced, we have many hot tub replacement covers with free shipping to choose from at www.SpasAndStuff.com.

Enjoying Your Hot Tub in the Rain

Spring showers bring fun adventures in hot tubs, as long as your hot tub is equipped to be enjoyed during the weather elements. One of my favorite moments in a hot spa tub is to enjoy it in the rain, without a cover. I know, I know…what about my hair? But who worries about their hair in the hot tub?

Whenever I see the rain clouds, I secretly smile as I know my afternoon will have the ultimate of relaxation in store for me. As it begins to sprinkle, I climb into the portable hot tub, allowing the cool, soothing raindrops to fall on me as the hot tub keeps me warm and cozy. At that moment, life could not get any better.

Many of you probably find comfort in the sound of rain, but would not enjoy the rain splashing in your face as you try to relax with some hydrotherapy in your home hot tub. For those of you who fall into this category, there are a plethora of options to protect you from the elements while allowing you to enjoy the soothing sound of raindrops. With April showers upon us, hot tubs and rain go hand and hand as both provide the calming sounds and feelings of relaxation.

Hot tub enclosures can be great for those with extremely bad weather elements as well. Spa umbrellas are a perfect accessory for your SpasAndStuff.com hot tub. While under the umbrella, you can still enjoy the sound of the rain without having to get your hair wet! Remember…a hot tub can turn any day, rain or shine, into a relaxing and enjoyable experience right in your backyard.

The Art of Buying a Hot Tub

As the snow begins to melt and the “spring forward” clocks move us out of winter and into the thawing months, our minds always go racing towards hot tubs. This is my favorite time of the year to relax in the hottub outside. When it is still cold enough that the outside air forces you to jump into the warm draw of the steam, but not too cold that your feet disappear in snow as soon as you get out, somehow a hot tub just feels perfect right about now.

Springtime. Spring-cleaning gives you the opportunity to make changes and get rid of those things that you no longer use. It might also make you begin to plan for summer, when you will be entertaining and having friends and family members over for back yard bar-b-ques. A hottub is the perfect gift to give yourself for all of that hard labor. Hot tubs are the ultimate "prescription" for relaxation and relieving stress after your spring cleaning.

The following are several key things to consider when planning to buy a hot tub for your backyard:

• Consider investing in a model with stereo and speakers built into the unit. Although it might add a bit to the hot tub price, the frustration of elaborate wiring and extension cords to get your stereo to play outside is something worth missing. Plus the quality of the sound is excellent. There is a remote control on the top side of the hot tub to change the volume, channels and everything else without having to leave the comfort of your soak. 
• LED lighting is also something to consider. These are normally small lights around the top of the hottub that beautify your relaxation experience. They can lock on a single color or change colors, but they also make the hot tub easier to use when it is dark outside. A win-win situation for everyone because these LED lights are completely pre-wired into your portable hottub, versus trying to wire rope stringed lights around your hot tub.
• Additional things to consider are hot tub and spa accessories. You can also purchase a hot tub cover lifter to make opening and closing the hottub a one person job. You may want to add a set of storage steps, a towel tree, or a freestanding bar with bar stools to make your portable hot tub experience one to remember. Drink caddy anyone? 

So now that your house is clean and you are exhausted from vacuuming the house all day, head over to SpasAndStuff.com to purchase a gift that never stops giving…a portable hottub! Then you can reward yourself with unlimited amounts of relaxation time, anytime you want to. You deserve a portable hot tub!