Using Your Outdoor Hot Tub in the Winter
If you’ve just installed an outdoor hot tub and enjoyed using it through a luxurious summer and into the autumn, you may assume that, as temperatures drop, it’s time to drain the tub, put the cover on it, and forget about it until the spring. On the contrary, the depths of winter may be the most magical time of all to enjoy your hot tub. Lying back in a tub full of hot water with snowflakes gently falling all around you is certainly an experience not to be missed!
You should drain and clean your tub before the winter; you don’t want to take on this task during the coldest part of the year. First, flush your plumbing system following the directions that came with your tub. Generally, you will add a liquid cleaning product to the water — either a specialty product for cleaning plumbing lines, or even dishwashing detergent and bleach — and run the jets for 15 minutes; this will circulate the cleansing solution through your jets and plumbing lines. Be sure to use an appropriate cleansing fluid; consult with your dealer as necessary.
Once the plumbing is flushed, cut off all power to your hot tub; turn off the system and cut off the breaker in your breaker panel. Then drain the water from your tub, ensuring that you get all the water and debris out of any cavities on the tub floor. A spa vacuum or submersible pump may speed up this process. If your tub has an air blower, purge that of water as well: this will require that you turn the power back on, but be sure that the heater is not turned on. With the cover in place, run the air blower for about 15 seconds; that should purge it of moisture. When you’re done with that, turn the power back off, including shutting off the circuit breaker.
Next, remove the filters, taking the opportunity to clean and soak them in a filter cleaning solution that is recommended for your particular hot tub. If your filters have had a year or more of heavy use, they may need to be replaced. The filter compartment should be completely dried as well. And blow your jets: first open them, then force air under high pressure into each of the jet fixtures with a wet/dry shop vac. Finally, you can clean the shell with a nonfoaming cleaner, wiping down all surfaces and rinsing with clean water. If you wish, you can apply a coat of spa wax or protective coating to the surface, again only using those products that are recommended for your particular hot tub. And if you have a wooden support structure, the fall is a good time to apply a new coat of protective finish, before the colder temperatures are able to damage the wood.
There are many antifreeze products on the market, but these are not recommended for use in any hot tub; antifreeze may leave a residue that will be difficult to clean out of your plumbing system.
Once your tub is flushed and cleaned, you can then add clean water and get ready to enjoy it during the wintertime. Again, familiarize yourself with the operating instructions that came with your hot tub. The system may be designed with a freeze-protection system; if so, make sure that this system is activated, and turn the heat settings higher than bare minimum. Your system may have a timer or auto-heat selection; if so, turn that on. The auto-heat sensors will ensure that your water does not freeze. If you don’t have automatic freeze protection, you can use a timer switch to turn the heater on and off at frequent intervals. In particularly cold climates, your tub may need heat for 15 minutes every hour to prevent freezing. And if you use your tub frequently in the winter, keeping the water at a constant warm temperature may well take less heating energy than letting the water get cold and then heating it from scratch on a frequent basis.
However, the air jets will certainly use a great deal of energy; these jets use outside air to drive the jets of water into your tub, and this very cold air will require your tub’s heater to work overtime keeping the water at a nice temperature. Go ahead and enjoy the jets while you’re using your tub, but be sure to turn them off when you get out.
Your tub requires more routine maintenance during the winter than during the summer. Be sure to check the water level frequently. With some tubs, the pump will shut off automatically if the water level drops below a certain point. The water then will not circulate, the heater will not run, and your tub could freeze. Add water as necessary. Also, especially in very cold temperatures, check the water temperature on a daily basis to ensure that the heater is functioning properly. You can even install a remote digital thermometer with a low-temperature alarm, that will set off an audible alarm inside your house if the tub’s water drops below a certain temperature.
There are other protective and energy-saving measures that you can take. Purchase a floating thermal blanket for your tub; this will help lower your heating costs by retaining heat in your tub, reducing evaporation, and keeping moisture buildup on the inside of your tub cover to a minimum. Also, take a close look at your cover. If it is waterlogged or badly worn, you will also lose much energy because of the cover’s reduced capacity to insulate. You can apply a seal to your cover to help protect it against the elements, but if your cover is already waterlogged, there may not be much you can do short of purchasing a new cover and applying a seal right away. You can also purchase a coverall for some tubs (depending on the size and layout of your framework); a coverall will help protect your entire tub from the elements.
If you want to shelter your tub, and yourself, from rain or snow while you’re using the tub, find a large spa umbrella that covers the entire unit. You will still have the open feeling of being outdoors in the cold elements while enjoying your hot tub, but you won’t feel cold rain or wet snow stinging your face (and you won’t be polluting your tub water!).
If you live in an area that is prone to power outages, you should have a contingency plan for your hot tub. Usually, keeping the lid on tight is sufficient to keep your water from freezing for a few hours, until power is restored and the heaters can function properly again. If you have power outages that last more than a few hours, you might consider purchasing a generator that can run your hot tub’s heater for a longer period of time. However, in dire circumstances, you may need to drain your tub and completely flush the plumbing and jets before freezing can cause any damage.
There’s no reason not to enjoy your hot tub all year round, and if you take the proper precautions, you can keep your tub functioning safely and normally through the winter.
How to Buy a Hot Tub
It’s not difficult deciding that you would like to install a hot tub in your home. Perhaps you’ve seen a hot tub at a neighbor’s house, or at a shop, and you know already that you and your family could derive a great deal of pleasure from having one of your own. But when you start to seriously shop for one, you will quickly encounter a great many questions about your purchase. How should you proceed?
To begin with, determine how you will use your tub, and choose a tub that fits your lifestyle. Will you be using the tub alone, just with your spouse or partner, with the whole family, or do you hope to entertain around it? If you entertain, how many people do you anticipate would use the tub at the same time? Most common hot tubs for home use seat four adults comfortably, and this is adequate for most purposes. However, if you have a large family and want the whole family to enjoy your hot tub together, or if you love throwing large parties, then opt for something bigger.
Most hot tubs are installed outdoors, but under certain circumstances, an indoor hot tub might suit your purposes better. If you opt for an indoor installation, remember that you need to provide adequate ventilation. Moisture needs to escape, so be sure to install a bathroom ceiling fan and outtake venting. Also, the floor should have a floor drain, so splashed water can be quickly expelled, and a floor surface that can get wet but is not slippery. A textured ceramic tile might be most suitable. Finally, you must verify that your supporting floor structure is adequate to sustain the weight of your tub, filled with water (which weighs 8.35 pounds a gallon), plus the weight of however many adults you expect might be using the tub simultaneously. You may need the help of a structural engineer to make this determination.
Once you’ve narrowed down the size you want, then give a potential hot tub a test run. How comfortable is it? Test it while it’s full of water; a good dealer should allow you to do this. What is the torso depth when you’re sitting up? If you live in a cool climate or plan to use your outdoor tub in the wintertime, be sure you can sit or lean comfortably with your shoulders covered; you will quickly get cold if you can’t submerge your entire torso and shoulders comfortably. If children will be using your tub regularly, the tub should have multi-level seating.
Check the jets carefully. Some hot tubs may include a large number of jets, but if none of them are in the right places, then they are worth little to you. If you need jets to relieve lower back pain, for instance, then make sure the tub provides appropriately positioned jets. Ideally, the jets should feel soothing and pummeling; individual jets should be adjustable for position, and you should be able to regulate the pressure. If you have back pain, the best jet should be able to send water up and down your back in a regular, automatic motion.
A hot tub should be quiet, especially if your neighbors are close in proximity. There should be no audible noise when the water is circulating or filtering through the hot tub’s plumbing; the jets of course will make some noise when you are using the tub, but it should remain perfectly quiet otherwise, during its regular functioning.
If you notice that the hot tub that’s set up at your dealer’s smells of chlorine, or some scent intended to mask chlorine, the tub’s sanitizing system is outmoded. The best tubs use corona discharge (CD) ozone technology to control bacteria. With this system, the CD ozone is discharged into your tub through the jets, and it eliminates the need to use chlorine or other chemicals to keep your tub clean and bacteria-free. The ozone also breaks down the body oils that will accumulate in your tub’s water, so the water will appear much clearer. Also, filters should be top-loading and easily accessible for cleaning or replacement, and they should be sized appropriately for the size of your tub. Make sure that the filtration system provides for full coverage: that all of the water in your tub routinely passes through the filters.
In terms of controls, simplicity is usually best; a hot tub that is fully programmable for operations such as heating and filtration may have too many parts that can break down. However, if you’re going to use your tub in the winter and you routinely have freezing temperatures outside, then a programmable heating system is a must. If the heat can turn on and off at regular intervals, you can ensure that the water in your tub won’t freeze. You may be able to set up a sensor in the tub connected with an alarm system in your house, alerting you if the water temperature in your tub is approaching freezing temperatures.
The tub itself (the “shell”) is made of two layers: the understructure, which bears the weight of the water and bathers, is generally made of fiberglass or ABS plastic, while the surface should be comfortable to sit on and resistant to UV and chemical damage as well as cracking. Some shells have special coatings that are stain-resistant, or that have antibacterial compounds molded into the shell material. Your dealer should offer a warranty; seven years is generally best. “Lifetime” warranties may be bogus, as regulations in many states in the U.S. put a cap on what constitutes a “lifetime” for the purposes of a warranty.
There are many other variables to consider. What are the tub’s monthly operating costs? The most energy efficient tubs should have foam insulation rather than “peanut” insulation or no insulation at all. What is the manufacturer’s track record, and what is the dealer’s track record? Ask for references; talk to someone else who has bought a hot tub from your dealer. Check what the price includes, or does not include. You definitely need delivery to your home, and you need a tub cover. What about installation?
And where shouldn’t you buy a hot tub? You can do all your research on the Internet, but shop from a dealer, where you can actually test out the tub you want to buy. Carnivals and fairs are also good places to “shop around,” but not to actually shop. Hot tub pavilions at fairgrounds are set up for the quick sale, and this is a purchase you want to make slowly. And try to avoid big-box stores that sell everything from outdoor storage sheds to frozen fish sticks. Selection will be limited, sales staff will have only passing knowledge and experience, and service will be negligible. Buy from a dealer who sells hot tubs. Only.
Obviously, you have much to consider. But once your hot tub is installed and you’re able to enjoy it on a daily basis, all the trouble you took making the purchase will be worth it.
Installing an Outdoor Hot Tub
If you’ve just purchased a new home, or have been living in a home for several years and are looking for a new feature to install, you might consider an outdoor hot tub. If properly installed and maintained, you can enjoy an outdoor hot tub year-round, even in cold climates; there’s nothing more relaxing than letting your sore, overworked body lie back among all those jets of warm water! And if you’re handy and can do the installation yourself, you’ll save on the total cost.
First, you’ll need to decide where to locate your tub. You should find a spot with some privacy; if you have neighbors nearby, you might even consider raising a wooden fence around part of your tub. For most people, it’s easier to completely relax knowing that you will be unobserved. Do not locate your tub within 10 feet of any overhead power lines; read up on your municipality’s safety codes regarding hot tub installation. And ensure that there is adequate space not only for the tub but also for the associated plumbing connections and pipes. To roughly calculate the space you’ll need, measure the actual footprint of the tub itself, then add 2 feet of additional perimeter around the entire space. For example, if your tub is oval-shaped and measures 6 feet wide by 10 feet long, then provide for space that is at least 8 feet by 12 feet.
For a ground installation, the ideal base is a concrete pad; this will ensure maximum stability. You can also use gravel or sand for a base, but ensure that your substrate layer is tightly packed and level. If you have an outdoor deck, a hot tub can also be fitted into that, partially or completely recessed into the deck floor.
Next, find out how heavy your tub will be. A gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds, so if your tub holds 700 gallons, the weight will be 5,845 pounds plus the weight of the tub itself. Finally, add the approximate weight of four adults, and you may have a final figure of around 6,500 to 7,000 pounds. Your mounting surface must be able to support this weight.
For a ground installation, be sure to level the surface first, using a rake and a long two-by-four. Make sure there aren’t any sharp stones or debris that might puncture your tub. If you plan for a raised tub, whether using a wooden or concrete platform, you will have a beautiful addition to your garden. Raising the tub also helps prevent moisture build-up around the base, which might in turn lead to mildew and wood rot.
Laying a concrete platform will require that you construct a wooden form; if you’ve never poured concrete, at least get the help of a friend with some experience. Pouring concrete is a multi-step procedure; you must ensure that you use the correct concrete for your job and that is mixed properly; that the formwork is secure and strong enough to hold the concrete in place while it’s drying; that you install adequate reinforcement, whether steel mesh or rebar; that you tamp the concrete while pouring to expel air pockets, and level it properly once poured; and that you allow it to properly cure afterward. Concrete work is a skill that requires much training and experience, so don’t take this part of the installation lightly; get help if you need it.
You may opt for a wooden platform structure rather than concrete; this kind of structure may blend in more attractively with your garden. You can start with a series of twelve 6 x 2 tanelised timbers laid on edge; “tanelised” refers to a process of timber preservation that will protect your wooden framework against fungal decay, insect attack, and other natural processes that cause wood to rot. (Treated timbers first assume a green coloration, which fades to honey brown and eventually a silver gray.) You can border the 6 x 2s with additional 6 x 2s, attached via L-braces on a platform of 4 x 4s; this structure can safely support a medium-sized hot tub. Gaps between joists should be no more than 12 inches; boards can be attached via bolts and nuts through pre-drilled holes, or by L-braces.
Once your platform is in place, whether concrete or wood-frame, you are ready to position the hot tub. These can weigh hundreds of pounds or more, so you’ll need to enlist the help of several friends.
For wiring, it is recommended that you hire a licensed electrician. If you do the work yourself, it would be advisable to at least have a professional inspect your work before you fill your tub with water. You want to make sure that the wiring has been done safely and correctly.
Once you’re all done, you’ll be ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Hot Tubs and Hydrotherapy
If you’re installing a hot tub, most likely it’s because you simply want a wonderful place to relax in private or with your family, or because you want a new centerpiece for entertaining guests. However, your hot tub has healing properties as well, not only in relieving muscle and joint pains but in treating illness.
Hydrotherapy encompasses the use of underwater massage and pressure, both of which can be achieved through the jets on your hot tub. Mineral baths also have therapeutic properties. Hot water and water pressure, streaming through jets, generally stimulate blood circulation, and in achieving this can treat a range of aches and pains.
Various forms of hydrotherapy have been in use since the times of ancient Egypt, Greece, and then Rome. Egyptian royalty would bathe in water cleansed with essential oils and flowers; Romans provided communal baths for their citizens. Japanese and Koreans have relied on the healing properties of natural hot springs for at least the past two thousand years. The medical benefits of these early practices are difficult to pinpoint, though the persistent use of mineral baths and hot springs in ancient cultures around the globe would indicate that they provided at least some benefit to the people of those cultures.
In the early 1820s, Vincent Priessnitz, of Silesia in what was then the Austrian Empire, revived the practice of hydrotherapy. His work was enthusiastically received, and was expanded upon by Sebastian Kneipp and others in Austria and Germany throughout the 1800s. This knowledge was published and disseminated across Europe, and hydrotherapy centers sprang up across the continent and in North America.
This mid-1800s revival of hydrotherapy, however, focused on the use of cold water. The specific use of hot water was at the time associated with the Turkish bath; the practice of hot-water hydrotherapy was introduced in England by David Urquhart, who had traveled extensively in the Turkish Ottoman Empire and elsewhere in the East. The Turkish bath then became a public institution in England and elsewhere
Spa tourism soon developed as a major industry, as millions traveled to spas in the Alps and elsewhere to cure their various ailments. Mark Twain toured Europe in the 1890s and found that a bath of spring water at Aix-les-Bains helped soothe his rheumatism. He later wrote that the bathing was so enjoyable that, if he hadn’t already had an ailment that needed treatment, he would have “borrowed” a disease as a pretext for undergoing the treatment.
Your hot tub is most relevant as a means of hydrotherapy in that it allows for full submersion of your body in a whirling water movement. Full-body immersion tanks are routinely used by athletes recovering from injuries, or simply recovering from the exertion of an athletic competition. However, you don’t need to be an athlete to suffer from an ankle sprain or torn ligament. Such injuries can take considerable time to heal, and physical therapy is often recommended as a means of rebuilding muscles and ligaments. However, many physical therapists recommend hydrotherapy as a secondary means of healing. Sometimes, alternate soakings in cold water and hot water can most effectively increase blood circulation. And warm water increases buoyancy; especially if you have an ankle injury, taking weight off the ankle helps it heal up more quickly. Warm water will relieve tense muscles that surround an injury, and will relieve pain.
While water increases buoyancy, it also puts pressure on your wounded area, helping reduce swelling. In fact, water provides just the right amount of resistance to bodily movement, to allow us to exercise while submerged. We feel resistance and can gradually rebuild muscle tissue through underwater movements, but without the high impact of gym workouts, which can often exacerbate injuries. The resistance of water increases as our movements through water quicken; through such “graded resistance,” we can carefully calibrate our recovery. Various studies show that we can increase our range of motion, and experience decreased pain levels, when we engage in therapeutic exercise while submerged.
Likewise, submersion in warm water can increase joint mobility and reduce joint stiffness. Soaking in a hot tub is especially beneficial to people who suffer from arthritis or lower back pain. One can recover a normal range of motion more quickly. And soaking in a hot tub releases endorphins, which are protein molecules manufactured by cells in the nervous system and other parts of the body. Endorphins work with sedative receptors that are known to relieve common pain.
There are many good reasons to install a hot tub in your home; the fact that it can help relieve not only everyday aches and pains but also sprained ankles and twisted joints is just one more good reason.
