tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-186120792011-12-30T18:52:04.757-05:00Hot Tub Source is a blog for learning what you need to know about selecting, buying and caring for your perfect hot tub or spa. Please feel free to leave a comment, but due to a huge amount of blog spam, I have deleted all previous comments and will only post a comment after I have reviewed it. If you have a new question, please email it to me and I will start a new topic (my email address is in my profile). Thanks, Hot Tub SourceHotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-66245601337453377322007-03-23T15:29:00.000-04:002007-03-23T15:31:25.590-04:00

I'll be hottubbing for a while, so please don't expect me to reply right away. Thanks to all of you for so many interesting moments...

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1165940436778880402006-12-12T11:19:00.000-05:002006-12-12T11:20:37.626-05:00

Question:"My water is running very hard at about 400-450 ppm and I am looking for a way to reduce this to acceptable levels. What do you suggest???"Answer:It is very easy to harden water, but very difficult to soften water using chemicals available for pools and spas. The water needs to be softened before it is added to your hot tub, and water softeners typically use a multi-stage process to

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1162917577380178492006-11-07T11:39:00.000-05:002006-11-07T11:39:46.013-05:00

Question:"A hot tub reaches 100 degrees - it shuts off - cools down - resets - starts again. Is this a heating element or control panel problem?"Answer:I'm going to assume that you do not have the hot tub set to an "economy" or "sleep" mode to conserve energy.This sounds as though it is more likely a control panel problem than a heating element problem. The control panel is telling the heater to

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1159989074870591762006-10-04T15:10:00.000-04:002006-10-04T15:11:16.093-04:00

Question:"I'm getting a rash from our hot tub - mostly around where clothing is. Water is perfectly clear but chlorine is high. Could this be the problem?"Answer:This sounds like your skin is sensitive to the amount of chlorine you have in the water, but just in case, here is some information I hope you find useful.The fact that you are telling me that your chlorine level is high and the water is

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1159370136014989852006-09-27T11:11:00.000-04:002006-09-27T11:15:51.976-04:00

Question:"We have an existing in-ground hot tub in our sun room which is very outdated. Would this be too much of a challange to purchase a new in ground hot tub to install in the same spot? And do companies normally remove the old hot tub or are we on our own? Please advise..."Answer:Many manufacturers will provide just a hot tub shell that you can "drop in" to an existing spot, but you will

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1159219007617570772006-09-25T17:14:00.000-04:002007-01-02T02:02:21.550-05:00

Question:"My question is about two different spa companies. Viking and Reflections. Reflections is part of D&B Industries which makes Vita Spas. I know that these are lower end spas, but would like to know if you have heard any complaints or know of any problems with these hot tubs. I've already gone on several websites to see if I could get any information on them. There is some, but very

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1158352274278691412006-09-15T16:28:00.000-04:002006-09-15T16:31:15.083-04:00

Question:"We just bought a house and it has a hottub in the addition room of our new home. What steps do I need to take to start my hottub for chemicals and so on. It has water in it, but it hasn't been run in a long time. What should I do after draining the hot tub? And cleaning the inside before filling it up?"Answer:Welcome to the wonderful world of hot tubs! You are right to drain the hot tub

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1155925330007417632006-08-18T14:19:00.000-04:002006-08-18T14:22:10.833-04:00

Question:"We have discovered mice/rats have made a mess of our foam insulation in our jacuzzi spa. We removed all foam sections. They were loose and encased in plastic. We need to replace the insulation but aren't sure what to use.Please help! Thank you so much."Answer:Wow! I can only imagine the mess, so I hope you have been able to get rid of the critters once and for all... I would start

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1154366116028394722006-07-31T13:13:00.000-04:002007-02-11T01:43:41.743-05:00

Question:"How can I remove Pool Algaecide from my Hot Tub? There is green foam all over the top of the water."Answer:Based on the color and the foam, it sounds like you may have used an ammonium based algaecide. Over time, this will dissipate through evaporation (obviously the length of time depends upon how much you put in). To accelerate the evaporation process, leave the cover off and run

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1153858435986237112006-07-25T16:12:00.000-04:002006-07-25T16:13:56.913-04:00

Question:"How old should a child be before going in a hot tub and what about bromine and children?"Answer:OK - I'll try not to make any jokes about this question this time around...It would be best to ask your child's doctor or pediatrician if your child is old enough before listening to my advice. As for bromine and children? Again, you should check with your child's pediatrician, who should

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1153856934781607872006-07-25T15:46:00.000-04:002006-07-25T15:48:55.116-04:00

Question: "I test my water daily and adjust when needed, but I get a yellow scum build up when the jets are on high (above water line) It is quite thick and on the cloth it looks brown. I wipe it off - have used a clarifier and it really foams and the scum appears, I wipe it off and it is good for a few days but comes back. I have tried descummer (the 3 separate doses as recommended - the scum

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1152558041681980592006-07-10T14:56:00.000-04:002006-07-10T15:00:42.516-04:00

Question:"...does somebody know if we need to have our deck and area inspected by the city before putting a spa with gazebo."Answer:You will need to check with your local building inspector, because the regulations vary wildly from city to city. Also, check with your local tax collector about any tax liability you may incur by installing a gazebo. Most hot tubs are considered to be "portable"

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1150126218575178852006-06-12T11:29:00.000-04:002006-06-12T11:30:55.956-04:00

Question: "How much room does a hot tub require?"Answer:All that is really needed is enough room around the hot tub for a service technician to access the internal components of the hot tub during installation, and at a later time if repairs are ever needed. So, about 2 to 3 feet of clearance all around the hot tub would be a good start, unless you enjoy dealing with very grumpy

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1147378570281715572006-05-11T16:13:00.000-04:002006-05-11T16:16:10.643-04:00

Question:"I have a non self contained tub and am looking to replace the tub only as the gel coat is going away and we are interested in a different shape. Can you help?"Answer:Contact a hot tub manufacturer, since some will sell you the hot tub shells without the cabinet, but it will have all of the plumbing and hardware so you can drop the shell into a deck or a cutout in a patio, etc. Most

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1147180506151675152006-05-09T09:13:00.000-04:002006-05-23T12:39:40.213-04:00

Just another technorati tagging test:hot tubsMore later...: )

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1146597330692319142006-05-02T15:12:00.000-04:002006-07-08T03:37:34.816-04:00

Question:"How do you recommend sizing up a deck to see if it's sturdy enough to handle the weight of a hot tub?" Answer:To determine the suitability (or structural integrity) of the deck, you need to take into account 3 dimensions; the size of the support joists, the spacing of the support joists, and the unsupported span of the support joists. These will help determine the load bearing strength

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1145897799528415392006-04-24T12:53:00.000-04:002006-04-29T02:34:27.260-04:00

Question:"Hi - We are landscaping our backyard and want to put in a hot tub in the near future. We want to pour a raised concrete slab for the hot tub but do not know how big it should be. Any advice regarding this would be appreciated." Answer:The size of your concrete slab really depends on the size of the hot tub you are looking to purchase. Many people pour a foundation that is about 1 - 3"

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1144093745917045852006-04-03T15:45:00.000-04:002006-04-03T15:49:06.260-04:00

Question:"Can you run the temperature of water in a hot tub in the summer so that it will be refreshing? Location of the hot tub will be outside."Answer:Yes, many hot tubs have a temperature control that is adjustable, so you could actually lower the water temperature setting in the summer.The only problem may be heat generated by the sun, so you might need to invest in a hot tub umbrella on a

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1143659939925370182006-03-29T14:18:00.000-05:002006-03-29T14:19:02.590-05:00

Question:"I just purchased a hot tub and I noticed that there doesn't appear to be a lot of insulation on the underside of the hot tub shell. How much insulation is needed? Should I purchase some expanding foam insulation and add more to what is there? It looks like an inch of insulation."Answer:While I am not sure of the type of spa, I assume by your question that you have purchased a full foam

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1142289968058446132006-03-13T17:40:00.000-05:002007-02-18T21:28:29.866-05:00

Question:"Hi, I was hoping you could help me out with a problem we are having with our hot tub. We’ve had it since January (now March) and just within the last week or two, every time we get in the hot tub, we notice 10-15 dead bees floating in the water. My guess is they are getting in under the cover and drowning in there. How do we keep them away from the tub?? Any repellants? What is the

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1141937862629707302006-03-09T15:51:00.000-05:002006-03-09T15:57:43.236-05:00

Question:“My next door neighbor has a hot tub that cycles all night long and keeps us awake. The tub is 75-100 feet from our house. Is this normal? Does the pump need to run all night or even once per hour for 5-10 minutes in cold weather? It's really a problem, and he and I are trying to work it out amicably, but I'm tired of sleeping on the living room couch. Any thoughts would be appreciated.”

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1140707418773116432006-02-23T10:09:00.000-05:002006-02-23T10:10:20.480-05:00

To Dan in PA:I sent your information packet today so be on the lookout for it. However, you didn’t give me your last name, and there is both an East and West location for the street address you provided, so I hope you get it…To Everyone:I will no longer try mailing to a partial address, so if you want me to mail you information, please fill out the form at the link below, and give me all of the

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1140468381192365362006-02-20T15:24:00.000-05:002006-02-21T10:41:22.936-05:00

Question:"Hi, I am looking into buying a new hot tub. I have hot water baseboard heat in my house. I also have a outdoor wood boiler that I used for my primary heat all winter. What I would like to know is if I could somehow take advantage of my already hot water to help heat the hot tub. Can the plumbing from the hot tub run thru a heat exchanger so I won't use as much electric to heat the spa

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1138829385255233622006-02-01T16:24:00.000-05:002006-02-01T16:29:45.513-05:00

Dear Bob,I can't mail you any information because the address you gave me is very incomplete. Please try again to submit your information, and put your full address in the "comments" field of the request form. As soon as I get that, I will mail the package off to you.If you want to leave off your last name, that’s fine, but the most important part is the postal code, because your street address

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1137767381147937382006-01-20T09:27:00.000-05:002006-01-20T09:29:41.350-05:00

Question:"Help! I accidentally poured kerosene into my hot tub. Will it harm it or should I just drain the tub and re-shock? Please help me - obviously I am not too smart and grabbed the wrong bottle. Thanks so much."Answer:Yes, you should drain the tub, flush it with fresh water, and then re-fill it. A small amount of kerosene in the water will probably not hurt the tub, but you definitely do

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1137522880617381302006-01-17T13:34:00.000-05:002006-04-08T10:59:25.003-04:00

Question:"...Due to a power outage while away my tub was completely frozen solid.During the recent thaw I have removed the ice and there is (no) water draining out the hose. However even when I flip the circuit breaker back on there is no power to the tub. Is there a switch or something that has been tripped inside that needs to be reset? I have the panels off and I don't see any leakage

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1135201944741740222005-12-21T16:46:00.000-05:002006-07-26T00:38:29.536-04:00

Question:"I am needing to find out if the cabinet around the hottub can be repaired or replaced. Is it worth repairing or should it be replaced. The item is about 4 years old."Answer:Without actually seeing the condition of your cabinet, it is impossible for me to answer this question intelligently. After all, repairing can mean anything from a minor patch to a complete restoration project. Also

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1135193292875713882005-12-21T14:25:00.000-05:002005-12-21T14:28:22.766-05:00

Question:How much water evaporation is normal per week? I am adding an inch or two to my tub every week...Answer:Depending upon the weather, the frequency of use, and the amount of time you spend in your hot tub, 1 – 2 inches per week can be considered normal evaporation.Water evaporation is related to temperature, and spa water is heated to 100 degrees plus, so that can be part of the reason -

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1134426336520894272005-12-12T17:20:00.000-05:002005-12-12T17:25:36.716-05:00

Question:"Do you know where I can order a external towel warmer for our hot tub?"Answer:Use Google to search for hot tub towel warmers and you will find several manufacturers that make enclosed cabinets specially designed to keep towels warm beside your outdoor hot tub. Most of these manufacturers have online stores where you can place an order for your towel warmer – just make sure that it fits

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1134056716956563762005-12-08T10:44:00.000-05:002005-12-08T10:45:17.166-05:00

Question from a visitor:"I will be putting my tub out of service for a few months. I would like to drain it and suspect i should use potable anti freeze. is this a good idea and can i put it in at filter location?"Answer:DO NOT USE REGULAR ANTIFREEZE! This is usually made of Ethylene Glycol, which is extremely poisonous and has some rather nasty side effects, causing liver and kidney damage and

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1133885622989421402005-12-06T11:12:00.000-05:002005-12-06T11:13:43.273-05:00

Here is a question from a visitor: "My hot tub cabinet was attacked by termites and needs to be replaced. Do I have to make all the panels or can I get a kit. I have a "xyz" Spa. It is old but still works great." (Editor's note - brand name changed to "xyz" to protect the innocent.)Answer:First, contact the manufacturer of the hot tub to see if replacement panels are available. This will save you

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1133469482869780512005-12-01T15:21:00.000-05:002006-01-23T11:41:18.143-05:00

This question just came in from a visitor, and while I’m tempted to say, "Just throw them in and see if they float!" I think it would be best to ask your child's doctor or pediatrician if your child is old enough before listening to my advice.But remember, you should never let a child use a hot tub unsupervised!!! And, keep the hot tub cover closed and locked when you are not there to directly

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1133301457655773252005-11-29T16:44:00.000-05:002005-11-29T16:59:14.933-05:00

Question:"i am a long time spa owner, so i thought i knew alot, wrong....after a period of not using the spa i noticed a hard "salty" type layer covering the entire tub below the water line. looks like salt crystals, feels like sand paper, what do i do, and how do i get rid of it???"Answer:I would think this is scale caused by minerals in your water. If you haven't been using a scale inhibitor

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1132587957238155932005-11-21T10:45:00.000-05:002005-11-21T11:16:07.413-05:00

Some manufacturers give consumers the option to buy "factory direct", or directly from the manufacturer. There are tremendous advantages to buying in this manner. First, and most obvious, you can save hundreds of dollars by buying factory direct and eliminating the "middle man". Some manufacturers also customize their hot tubs to the consumer's specifications, allowing you to save money by only

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1131997118213516802005-11-14T14:37:00.000-05:002005-11-14T14:38:38.223-05:00

The duration of how long a hot tub will last depends solely on the quality of a hot tub and its materials. Lesser quality, less expensive hot tubs tend to last only four to five years. Higher quality hot tubs can last from ten to twenty years with minimal service or repair. Hot tub parts, however, are a different story. The first item that needs to be replaced is usually the cover, so be sure to

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1131720991919495882005-11-11T09:50:00.000-05:002005-11-11T09:56:31.926-05:00

How often should I test my hot tub water?Until you develop an accurate understanding of your chemicals and the chemistry of your hot tub’s water, you should test the alkalinity, pH and sanitizer levels each time you use your hot tub. Once you’ve developed a good understanding of what it takes to maintain your water’s chemistry you should then test your water at least once a week and definitely

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1131547132068424382005-11-09T09:35:00.000-05:002005-11-09T09:38:52.083-05:00

Shell SurfacesThere are two major types of material used in manufacturing hot tub shell surfaces: OAS and acrylic. Both have good impact resistance and will take a fair amount of abuse. However, there are some significant differences between the two:OAS (Olefin Acrylonitrile-Styrene)Many manufacturers utilize OAS as the shell surface material under different names (such as Rovel, Endurol, or

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1131468598541189212005-11-08T11:49:00.000-05:002005-11-08T11:51:00.446-05:00

The hot tub shell is one of the most important parts to consider when purchasing a hot tub. Other elements, such as pumps or heaters, are fairly easy to repair or replace if something goes wrong. However, if the hot tub shell malfunctions, it is more than likely that the entire spa will have to be replaced.There are two components that, when sandwiched together, make up the hot tub shell: the

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1131373439212061632005-11-07T09:20:00.000-05:002005-11-07T09:23:59.220-05:00

Spas with air bubbling systems include an air blower that pushes a powerful burst of air into a variety of inlets, or air injectors, into the spa, creating a bubbling action. It works on the same principle as blowing air through a straw into a glass of water. Where water jet therapy provides powerful hydrotherapy for those with therapy needs, air bubbling therapy provides completely different

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1131113499001626312005-11-04T09:10:00.000-05:002005-11-04T09:22:09.176-05:00

A Proper Site Inspection is Important! We strongly recommend a home site inspection before you purchase a hot tub. Though all manufacturers and dealers do not offer these inspections, they are extremely important. There are a handful of manufacturers however that offer FREE site inspections. A hot tub is a major purchase. There are specific logistics that need to be addressed that can only be

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18612079.post-1131038585780509742005-11-03T12:21:00.000-05:002005-11-03T13:04:42.426-05:00

Before your early morning tee off or during a twilight cocktail party... your hot tub will bring a heightened sense of pleasure anytime of the day or night.Any social event where friends or family gather is the perfect time to extend fun and invite them to relax in your hot tub. Whether you're barbecuing in the summer or skiing in the winter, your hot tub is the perfect complement to any social

HotTubSourcehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16914373136320414068noreply@blogger.com2