Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

The Party’s Over…now what?

06.01.10

Now What?

The party is over, the guests have cleared out. Even Uncle Willy has decided he has had enough and has moved on. Now it is time to clear the debris field, take out the trash  and find out where that new pungent smell is coming from. Oh, and maybe it is time to attend to the hot tub.

The hot tub was a big hit, but now it is time to pay the piper. It looks a little beat up, the water color is definitely off and the cover just plain smells. So let?s get started!

Start with the Cover

Remove the cover completely and rinse off with a hose. You may even want to scrub it down with a solution of bleach and water. This will keep any mildew from building up. One of my favorite tips on cleaning the cover is to Febreeze it after a good scrub. I just like the way it leaves my spa cover smelling so good.

Rinse Down the Cabinet

Since we already have the hose out, we might as well rinse off the cabinet. Once the cabinet had been wiped down, use a good conditioner to restore it to that ?new? look. Any scratches can be removed with the use of a furniture touch up stick from any home improvement store.

Treat the Water

First thing to do is to remove the filters and run them through the dishwasher. That?s right, the dishwasher! This will break down the body oils and brighten the filter to new again. Shock the water and test for sanitizing levels. Make sure your PH and Alkalinity stay on track and once everything has been brought back to balance, use a clarifier to bring back the brilliance to your spa water.

Repeat!

No sense in wasting any time. Start planning your next backyard bash right away and be sure to invite Uncle Willie. You know you will be glad you did!

Spring Is Upon Us

03.17.10

By all appearances it seems that spring is upon us. The temperatures seem to be coming up and with this winter being exceptionally cruel for those in colder climates, spring will most certainly be the most highly anticipated event of the year.

Officially, spring starts March 20th. This means more attention will be given to preparing for our annual migration into the back yard. Clearing off decks, cleaning patio furniture, some yard work and let?s not forget buying gas for the Barbeque. Visions of pool parties, cookouts and maybe even some late night entertaining come to mind.

1.      Drain the spa ? If your water has not been changed in some time, a quick drain and fill will remove the ?heavy? water and replace it with fresh water that will be easier to manage. No one wants to sit in a pool of chemicals and there is nothing more inviting than a soak in a hot tub with crystal clear water.

2.      Replace the filters ? Most homeowners ignore this crucial step in proper hot tub maintenance. Just because it looks clean, doesn?t always mean that it is. Often the residue of sweat, dead skin and body oils are still in the paper element of the filter, but they can?t be seen because they have been bleached out. Regularly changing the filters will keep your spa running more efficiently and prolong the life of your spa.

3.      Clean the plumbing ? Use a plumbing cleanser and conditioner. This will keep any ickies from building up in your plumbing lines while conditioning your equipment like pump seals and gaskets.

4.      Inspect and clean your cover ? The cover has been exposed to the elements all winter. It is due for a complete inspection for damaged foam or tears in the vinyl. 90% of all heat loss occurs at the water?s surface. Don?t ignore this first line of defense against inefficient heat loss. It is bound to have a coat of dust and dirt on it. Use a good cover cleaner that will condition both the vinyl and the stitching. They say that you get what you plan for. Take some time out be good to yourself and plan for a great backyard retreat. I guarantee you?ll be glad you did! 

The health benefits of spas

02.19.10

Buying a hot tub is a common dream that we all share. A good hot tub serves many purposes to give you a nice feeling. Not only do you relax but also you can regain your tired muscles and increase your blood circulation level to get the best emotions. This personally works for me. If I take my blood pressure before I go in the hot tub it is generally a little high. This is normal for me. I go in the hot tub for 40 minutes on a temperature of 38 to 38.5 re take my blood pressure and get a lower than normal reading. Generally I am 140/85 but after a 40 minute session I can get as low as 120/69.

Sleeping

The warm water causes your body to reduce internal temperatures allowing you to drift into a deeper sleep.
Hot tubs are a natural sleeping remedy so there is no need to resort to over-the-counter drugs.

Read the rest of this entry »