Using The Wrong Hot Tub Chemicals will damage your Hot Tub or Spa.

Every day we repair hot tubs / spas for people that have used cheap, re-branded or swimming pool chemicals, the repair costs for this are usually really expensive, on average a hot tub pumps tend to cost around £400 each, and if the damage is heavy rusted bearings on 3 pumps the bill can become very expensive very quickly.

Cheap chemicals will usually smell very strong and the damage tends to happen very quickly, if used in a brand new hot tub the damage can destroy the acrylic surface in just 1 week, so it is important to get advise on which chemicals and how to use them very quickly.

Always use quality brands

A safe bet are the major hot tub chemical brands:

Fi-Chlor – the best quality on the market but expensive

SpaGuard – Very Reliable, good on the skin, no heavy odours, and a sensible price.

Aqua Sparkle – Reasonably priced and similar to Spaguard.

~Their is a basic chemical guide you can download available here – Hot Tub Easy Water Guide

What not to buy

If its cheap theirs usually a reason why!

The chemicals to watch out for tend to be sold by many companies (including big hot tub brands) in 5 ltr containers and are usually labelled for “swimming pool and spa”, not all chemicals are bad, only the cheap chlorine granules, chlorine tablets, bromine granules and bromine tablets. Call for more advise.

*Never use liquid chlorine from any brand!

Algaecide

Never put algaecide into a hot tub, this is the worst chemical for destroying anything that is made of rubber.

Don’t Worry

If you have been using cheaper brands, don’t worry, stop using them and buy some quality  chemicals, but remember to check inside your hot tub regularly to make sure the damage doesn’t cause expensive repairs. (Small seals are cheaper to replace than electrical items)

Main types of damage

Rubber damage – o’rings, pump shaft seals, jet seals, light seals,

Surface damage – big white ring around water level.

Cosmetic damage – Handles and dials bleached, control panel overlay fluffing on edges, Stainless steel trim rusting.

Human damage – skin irritation, skin bleaching and burning, rashes, discolouration of dyed hair.

What to do if your hot tub is already damaged

If its something you can repair with hot tub parts online great!

Alternatively call a hot tub repair specialist to repair the hot tub for you.

……………..

Hot Tub Chemical Warning from Hot Tub Repair Man.

Spaform Spa Covers and Repair

If you have a Spaform Hot Tub, we can help you!

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Don’t forget we also offer a profesional repair service if you want us to come and fix your hot tub \ spa for you. Click the image of Hot Tub repair Man below:

If you have a problem with your hot tub pumps call us now on 0115 871 5419 or click on the following Hot Tub Repair Man logo link Below

The days when all the pumping that a hot tub needed was done by a single water pump are gone. Modern hot tubs or rather spas typically have two or three, while some might boast of five pumps. What do all these pumps do?

The basic function of the water tub is to keep heated water in the tub. The water pump, when it is operating, keeps the water circulating over a heater so that it is sufficiently warm. Water can get cold when it is being used.

The pump also pushes the water through the filtration system so that debris and harmful stuff in the water is removed. Without the force provided by the pumping, water might not get filtered adequately.

Other functions performed by the pumps in a hot tub include:

• Providing the therapeutic massage of desired force. It is the pumps that expel the water through the jets in the hot tub with sufficient strength to deliver the massaging experience.
• Mixing air and water to provide misted water to provide an enhanced massaging experience. An air blower is a dedicated pump that pumps air through the air pipes, while modern spas might have the functionality to mix air and water in the jets without an air blower.
• Circulating ozone throughout the water where you have an ozone generator installed. Ozone is highly effective in removing harmful organisms from the water and maintaining it in crystal clear condition. Ozone also reduces the costs of standard chlorine / bromine sanitation.

Pumps are mechanical devices with moving parts and are among the first devices in the hot tub to cause problems. The problems usually occur because of:

• Wear and tear of constantly moving parts resulting in some part failing and affecting the efficiency of the pumping function if not stopping it fully.
• The acidity and other properties of the water affecting the ceramic seal separating the dry (motor) and wet (water) ends of the pump, creating cracks that causes water leaks. If the leak is not detected and the seal replaced early enough, water can leak into the motor and repairing the motor can cost far more than the cost of replacing the seal.

You can minimize hot tub servicing costs by keeping the water at the recommended pH levels through regular testing and treatment. Additionally, check the tub for any signs of leak; the earlier you detect a leaking pump, the less will be your hot tub servicing costs.

If you require parts for your hot tub pump, please follow the link below to Hot Tub DIY online parts store.

Your hot tub needs to be cleaned to maintain the healthy and pleasing experience it provides to you. The cleaning is in addition to the water treatment routines using chlorine and pH regulating chemicals. While these hot tub chemicals deal with the water chemistry, the cleaning deals with the surface of the water and the tub itself.

Using a skimmer to remove the floating debris is the most obvious of cleaning routines. A lot of debris from different sources tends to accumulate in the water, particularly if it is located outdoors. If your hot tub has a skimmer basket, it needs to be emptied once or more every week.

Special chemicals that are compatible with the hot tub water chemistry are often used to clean the waterline and minimise deposits of oil and debris. Household cleaners might not be compatible with hot tub water chemistry. The filters that remove much of the debris on a routine basis should be hosed and cleaned once a month.

Hot tub skirting and the cover will also need to be wiped clean if dirt has accumulated. Use a sponge to do this.

The water in the hot tub needs to be drained once a quarter and the hot tub completely cleaned before re-filling it with fresh water. While the hot tub chemicals can maintain the water in good condition for several weeks, as the level of dissolved solids in the water increases over a period of time, their efficacy tends to decrease. A complete replenishment of water, of desired properties, can help reduce chemical use in addition to giving you a fresh start.

Test the water used for refilling to ensure that it has the desired properties. Even clean water might have unacceptable pH levels, and might contain calcium and heavy metals that can affect the water quality and potentially damage your tub components.

While the issue of cleaning your hot tub might seem complicated and a big trouble, it will cease to be so once you have become familiar with the routines. Also, the pleasing experience and health benefits that a well-maintained hot tub provides will make the trouble pale in comparison.

For a professional clean why not call us now!

Hot Tub Repair Man

If you require equipment and supplies for cleaning go to Hot Tub DIY online store.

 Trip switches that are residual-current devices (RCDs) are different from conventional circuit breakers, and serve a life-saving function for hot tub users. If you are in the habit of changing circuit breakers yourself, it is very important that you understand this difference. Otherwise you might replace an RCD with a conventional device, and lose your life!

While conventional circuit breakers work at higher amperes and rather slowly, RCD’s might work at 5 milliamperes in a few milliseconds where human life is in direct danger as in the case of a hot tub. What exactly is the issue involved!

Your hot tub water is heated by the heater element, and electrical device. Normally, the electricity that heats up the heater element is protected from getting into the water. However, devices have a habit of failing and the heater element is no exception.

A damaged heater element can result in electricity getting into the water, and the combination is lethal to the hot tub user. As low a current as 10 milliamperes can stop a human heart. The trip switch that protects your hot tub prevents this from happening by breaking the circuit in thousands of a second if it detects current leakage.

An RCD detects current leakage in high-tech way and shuts off the current in practically no time so that your life is not endangered. Regulations affecting hot tub makes it mandatory for manufacturers to include an RCD as an integral part of the circuit.

Now, if your heater does begin to deteriorate, you might notice frequent tripping of the RCD. You might feel it a nuisance that prevents you from enjoying the full experience provided by the spa. And you might find that replacing the RCD with a conventional circuit breaker restores the experience.

You might not know that what you have done has also put you in a life-threatening situation. If the heater gets damaged enough to leak current into water you are not likely to get any warning in advance!

Instead of replacing the RCD trip switch, you should replace the heater in the hot tub!

We always recommend a Part P Trained Electrician to replace any RCD’s, Breakers or cabling used to connect your hot tub.

For more information on hot tub heaters and repairing hot tub electrics please contact:

Hot Tub Repair Man

01158715419 / mail@hottubrepairman.co.uk

If you don’t plan to use your hot tub during the cold winter, you need to take some precautions to ensure that frozen water do not damage your spa parts. Equipment can freeze and crack if too much water is inside. You have to drain the spa of most of its water before sending it into hibernation.

Before you start on the draining process, switch off all power connections. Turn off the heater, and any power switch on the pack. It is a good idea to turn off the circuit-breaker to the hot tub on the electrical panel controlling power supply to your home.

Remove the hot tub cover, and the filter cartridge from its canister.

You are now ready to start the draining process. Attach a garden hose to the bottom spout of the spa. Alternatively, you can siphon off the water from the hot tub. Just make sure that the hose you use is full of water (fill it from a water tap), put one end into the spa and the other end at a level that is significantly lower than the spa bottom.

After the hot tub proper is drained, you need to remove most of the water that remains in the plumbing, including air blower lines. This might require turning the power back on to start the blower and expel the water. It is a good idea to put the cover back on during this process.

Don’t forget to turn the power (and the circuit-breaker) off after this exercise.

You can now remove the cover, and use a sponge to soak up the water in the spa.

You can now cover the equipment panel and use a tarpaulin to cover the whole spa to send your hot tub into winter hibernation. The tough tarp will ensure that your spa is safe from the elements.

Hot Tub Services Nottingham

Hot Tub Services

Your hot tub is a source of highly pleasing experiences. Just think of the warm soak it provides on a cold day. Hot tubs also provide health benefits in the form of relief from stress, arthritic pains and even insomnia. Reports also indicate benefits for sufferers of type 2 diabetes.

However, hot tubs also pose some dangers. One safety issue is getting your hair caught in the drain while the water is being sucked in by the powerful drains. Your head could be held under the water if its level is high enough when the hair gets entangled thus. Children should never be left unattended in the hot tub.

Keep the Water Healthy

Bacteria can accumulate in the warm water making it a source of respiratory and other diseases. Debris like body and bath oils, cosmetics, dead skin and other stuff could make the hot tub soak and extremely unpleasant experience. If the hot tub is located outdoors, dead leaves and other stuff could also fall into the water.

The first range of defense against these problems is circulating the water using a pump and filtering debris out of the incoming water using fine filters. The organisms and stuff this cannot catch is removed by treating the water with chlorine, bromine or mineral sanitizers. If you are willing to spend money on an ozonator, you can generate ozone gas that can keep the water crystal clear and reduce consumption of the sanitizing chemicals (and minimize their smell!)

The hot tub water is often “shocked” with extra chlorine or other chemicals if it is not sufficiently sanitized. The hot tub should not be used for some time after the shock treatment. This can be hours if chlorine is used for the purpose.

The efficacy of chlorine in killing bacteria depends to a large extent on the pH of the water. Hence it is important to maintain the pH, alkalinity and calcium levels within specified levels. Acidic water could lead to corrosion of metal parts while minerals like calcium and magnesium could lead to deposits on hot tub components such as heater elements.

It is extremely important to attend to the health issues if you wish to make your hot tub experience enjoyable on a sustained basis.

Hot Tub Services Nottingham – call now: 0115 871 5419 or email: mail@hottubrepairman.co.uk

Hot Tub Services

Aromatherapy involves using the power of smell to enhance health and well-being, and heal illnesses. Few would disagree that smells are powerful; they can greatly influence our mood. Most of us would have had the experience of feeling exhilarated when a strange and enchanting smell wafts into our noses while walking around in a garden.

Aroma therapists say that smells do much more. Scents can alleviate pain, tone up the skin, reduce anxiety, relieve tensions and invigorate the whole body. They provide a great experience curing fatigue at the end of a tiring day.

Aromas work on the brain through the olfactory neurons in the nasal cavity. The neurons carry the sensation to the limbic area of the brain. The limbic system is connected to memories and emotions and it is no wonder that smells can rouse long-forgotten experiences and affect one’s emotions.

Scents in the Hot Tub

Hot tubs are meant for relaxation. When aromas supplement the warm water, the effect can be dramatic. Just imagine soaking in the warmth of the water that also fills your nose with the smell of jasmine or rose at the end of another day!

The aromas are created by essential oils, oils that extract the essence of flowers, plants, herbs, fruits, barks, grasses and trees. These oils are added to the water in the hot tub and your experience suddenly acquires a new dimension. Hot tub aroma products often come in the form of crystals rather than oils, because oils can spoil the water quality.

The sense of well-being that you feel as a result can improve your health over a period of time, because mind and body are closely linked.

Therapists say that there are 150 kinds of essential oils, providing different benefits, including antiseptic, antiviral and pain-relieving effects among others. Hot tub users are more likely to be interested in the stress-relieving, relaxing and invigorating properties of the oils. There are reportedly oils that are antidepressants or diuretic, or that can improve your digestion.

Adding smells to your hot tub water can thus result in much more than creating a pleasing experience. They can have just the kind therapeutic benefits that you are looking for.

For a great range of hot tub Aroma Therapy and fragrances please visit our store:

The days when all the pumping that a hot tub needed was done by a single water pump are gone. Modern hot tubs or rather spas typically have two or three, while some might boast of five pumps. What do all these pumps do?

The basic function of the water tub is to keep heated water in the tub. The water pump, when it is operating, keeps the water circulating over a heater so that it is sufficiently warm. Water can get cold when it is being used.

The pump also pushes the water through the filtration system so that debris and harmful stuff in the water is removed. Without the force provided by the pumping, water might not get filtered adequately.

Other functions performed by the pumps in a hot tub include:

• Providing the therapeutic massage of desired force. It is the pumps that expel the water through the jets in the hot tub with sufficient strength to deliver the massaging experience.
• Mixing air and water to provide misted water to provide an enhanced massaging experience. An air blower is a dedicated pump that pumps air through the air pipes, while modern spas might have the functionality to mix air and water in the jets without an air blower.
• Circulating ozone throughout the water where you have an ozone generator installed. Ozone is highly effective in removing harmful organisms from the water and maintaining it in crystal clear condition. Ozone also reduces the costs of standard chlorine / bromine sanitation.

Pumps are mechanical devices with moving parts and are among the first devices in the hot tub to cause problems. The problems usually occur because of:

• Wear and tear of constantly moving parts resulting in some part failing and affecting the efficiency of the pumping function if not stopping it fully.
• The acidity and other properties of the water affecting the ceramic seal separating the dry (motor) and wet (water) ends of the pump, creating cracks that causes water leaks. If the leak is not detected and the seal replaced early enough, water can leak into the motor and repairing the motor can cost far more than the cost of replacing the seal.

You can minimize hot tub servicing costs by keeping the water at the recommended pH levels through regular testing and treatment. Additionally, check the tub for any signs of leak; the earlier you detect a leaking pump, the less will be your hot tub servicing costs.

If you require help with your hot tub pump please don’t hesitate to call or email 

Hot Tub Repair Man

The modern hot tub is a complex assembly of various components, very different from a barrel-like wooden hot tub in the garden with a separate wood-fired stove heating the water. Present day hot tubs, more appropriately known as spas, provide a much richer experience than just a warm soak. In fact, the expensive models of today tend to be complete entertainment systems designed to please several senses.

In this article, we look at the major essential components that go into a modern hot tub.

The Shell: The shell holds the water, seating and the bathers. It is typically made of acrylic in attractive colors.

The Understructure: Made of ABS, fiberglass, etc the understructure provides rigidity and strength to the shell. It is also given a coating that has insulating properties.

The Cabinet: The outer covering serves as an attractive exterior and as a cover for the unseemly assembly of pumps, motors, plumbing and other components that serve different functions in the modern hot tub.

Pumps and Motors: The modern hot tub will typically have several hot tub pumps and associated motors. Circulation pumps keep the water flowing through the heater so that users get water of desired warmth throughout their stay in the hot tub. Jet pumps provide the massage experience of desired force. Air blowers and jets provide aerated water that enhances the experience.

Plumbing: Modern spas have a complex plumbing system consisting of pipes, manifolds, unions, joints, suctions, drains and more to keep the water flowing and also mix air with it where needed.

Filtration: Body oils, dead skin, cosmetics and other stuff can quickly make the water in the hot tub quite unpleasant. It is different types of filters that catch much of the debris and maintain the water in tolerable condition.

Control Systems: As would be evident, the modern hot tub is a complicated assembly and electronic controls are typically used to keep things under control. Temperature control is extremely important to avoid danger to users while entertainment systems need to be under the users’ control to ensure that they can get what they want.

The different components of the modern hot tub work together to provide you a great and relaxing experience that the traditional soak in a wooden hot tub could not have provided.

Hot Tub Repair Man – Hot Tub Repair and Services

Hot Tub DIY – Hot Tub Pumps, Chemicals and plumbing