Hot Tub Cleaning

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.

Hot Tub Hibernation

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.

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Hot Tubs: Health Issues

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

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Hot Tub Pump Issues

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

Hot Tub Components

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.

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Hot Tub DIY – Hot Tub Pumps, Chemicals and plumbing

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These days, hot tubs are not just a wooden containers filled with hot water. Instead they are complex collection of components that provide much more than just a warm soak. They come with jets that massage different parts of the body, pumps that keep the water moving around, filters that clean the circulating water and electronic controllers that keep everything at the correct temperature and in control.

The air blowers that provide you with a bubble bath experience are another component that adds to the complexity. The plumbing of the modern hot tub is also more complex as it has to serve the water jets and air blowers in addition to draining and filling the tub.

The modern lifestyle-enhancing hot tub (or spa) also comes with lighting effects and music to keep you entertained during your soak.

Servicing the today’s hot tub requires different kinds of expertise. You need plumbing, electrical and electronic expertise. You also need detailed familiarity with the components in the hot tubs themselves and their special problems.

The task is complicated by the fact that there hot tubs in use that are made by many manufacturers with each of them supplying different models yearly. Only years of experience in the field can equip a service provider with the needed familiarity to service all the varied makes and models.

You might decide to call service providers not only when your hot tub has some problem that needs being attended to. You might prefer to avoid the tedious and time-consuming work involved in cleaning the tub, and draining and filling it. These tasks are essential to keep your hot tub experience pleasant and healthy and needs to be done at periodical intervals.

Select your hot tub services provider by checking on their capacity to for all the above tasks. Are they familiar with the particular make and model of tub that you use? Do they have the parts in stock or can they get them at short notice? What do their customers say about their service?

Hot Tub Repair Man – Servicing hot tubs in Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Birmingham, Sheffield.

We also sell all the parts you would need if you choose to repair yourself on our hot tub parts website Hot Tub DIY

Hot Tub Water Jet Problems and Solutions

The water jets in a hot tub provide the real experience that you seek from the spa. When they cease to function as expected, your experience also deteriorates. An idea about the common problems and what to do in each case can definitely improve the experience.

Calcium Buildup: The calcium in hard water used in the tub can build up in the jets and cause mobile jets to become immobile. Test the water for hardness and add water softener chemicals as necessary.

Air in Water Pump: If air gets into the water pump when you drain the hot tub or otherwise, it can affect the pump’s ability to move water forcefully enough. At the jets, you will find that the water is not providing a sufficiently strong massage experience. The problem is solved by removing the air from the pump. Loosen the coupling (a little) at the discharge end of the pump. When the pump is switched on, air inside will escape through the opening. When water begins to spray through the opening, quickly tighten the coupling.

Irregular Flow of Water: Instead of providing a smooth flow, water might come out of the jets in spurts. This problem can result from several causes that need to be eliminated one by one to arrive at the real problem.

• Check the level of water in the tub. If it is too low, air might be getting mixed with water and affecting the flow of the latter. Topping up the hot tub should solve the problem if this is the case
• If water level is not the problem, filters could be. They might have become clogged and need cleaning or even replacement. To check, remove the filters and run the jets. If the water flow is normal now, the problem is filters. Clean or replace them as warranted. If the filter is beyond cleaning, putting them back can cause damage to the pump.
• If the problem is not with the filter, the culprit could be a blockage in the plumbing. Check around the pump for the existence of any such blockage and remove if any are found.
• If none of the above steps stops the problem, it could be with the pump or control system. Repairing these is best left to trained persons.

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N01 Hot tub Service Company in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby

Remember! Hot Tub DIY is one of the UK’s leading providers of:

• Hot Tub Chemicals
• Spa replacement and upgrade parts
• Hot Tub Pumps
• Spa Covers
• Hot Tub Jets and spa filters

For more information or questions on hot tub parts please contact us through our Hot Tub DIY

If you require service or repair please go to Hot Tub Repair Man for more assistance.

 

 

Hot Tub Water Maintenance

The warm water in your hot tub and the sprays and bubbles they generate provide the wonderfully pleasing experience that you get. However, a lot of work goes into sustaining this great experience. You have to keep the water circulating as otherwise the stagnant water can turn out to be the breeding ground for all kinds of harmful organisms.

Keeping the water circulating is not the only task you need to do. Even well-circulated water can carry debris around and you need to filter the water during each round. And filters can get clogged and that means you have to clean the filters periodically to maintain their functionality.

Even filters cannot kill off all the harmful organisms. You need chemicals like Chlorine or Bromine to do that. These chemicals are available in tablet and granule forms for easy and measured application.

The hot tub water can get cloudy with stuff like dead skin and other micro-sized materials that the filter might not be able to catch. Oxidizing chemicals can oxidize such stuff and keep the water clear. Use shock oxidizers to do this task.

The water can become too acidic or too alkaline in the course of regular use and chemical treatments. Acidic water irritates the skin and can also corrode the tub and its components. Alkaline water causes stains and deposits on the tub.

The right balance between acidity and alkalinity (pH balance) is maintained using additives that that increase or decrease it. Whether an increase or decrease is needed is determined by using test strips that tell you visually what to do. The recommended pH balance is in the range of 7.2 and 7.8.

We mentioned earlier about the cloudiness of water. Such cloudiness can be caused by calcium deposits from “hard” water. In some regions, water tends to be hard and in these places, you need chemicals to control the calcium levels in your water.

The water can also contain other metals and minerals and these can lead to such side effects as stains and increased requirement of the other chemicals mentioned above. By using special chemicals that reduce the levels of such metals and minerals, you will save on these standard chemicals.

Once you have become familiar with the routines outlined above, maintaining your hot tub water in great condition will become an automated task requiring little effort. Till then, however, you will have to take some pains to learn what needs to be done and do it correctly.

Remember! Hot Tub DIY is one of the UK’s leading providers of:

• Hot Tub Chemicals
• Spa replacement and upgrade parts
• Hot Tub Pumps
• Spa Covers
• Hot Tub Jets and spa filters

For more information or questions on hot tub parts please contact us through our Hot Tub DIY

If you require service or repair please go to Hot Tub Repair Man for more assistance.

 

A Brief Look At The Hot Tub

The addition of a hot tub to any property gives the home a slice of luxury and somewhere to escape to at the end of a long hard day. It can also increase the resale value of the property quite dramatically.

Now there are many models of hot tubs and spas so choosing the right one can be tricky especially if you have a restricted budget. The cheapest option is the inflatable spa which averages around the four hundred pound mark (UK Sterling) they are usually hold up to four people comfortably and have the added benefit of being easy to dismantle so you could even take it on holiday with you.

From there on in prices for a hot tub with solid sides does tend to soar upwards into the thousands range, the more you pay the more accessories and extra the tub has. Additional extras include back massage units, drinks holders and LED underwater lights.

Now if you want to keep your unit up and ready at all time you will need to consider purchasing some extra parts or accessories such as a cover, a cover lifter and a supply of spare filters. Steps and safety rails may also be worth looking into to ensure you do not injury yourself when entering or exiting the spa.

From time to time you may need to replace some of the spa components such as LED lights, jets or values and there are plenty of companies that can either do this for you or can supply you with the parts for you to action the repair or replacement yourself. Something simple like and LED light replacement should be easy enough to handle on your own but anything more complicated should be left to a professional to avoid damaging the unit.

Make sure you know where you want the tub to go and how much you have to spare on its purchase, then research all of the options in your price bracket and see what you can afford.

Remember! Hot Tub DIY is one of the UK’s leading providers of:

• Hot Tub Chmeicals
• Spa replacement and upgrade parts
• Hot Tub Pumps
• Spa Covers
• Hot Tub Jets and spa filters

For more information or questions on hot tub parts please contact us through our Hot Tub DIY

If you require service or repair please go to Hot Tub Repair Man for more assistance.

 

 

Hot Tub Filters are Critical for Your Health

Ever wondered about the lowly filters that are constantly filtering out all kinds of debris from the water that is reaching your hot tub? Just think of the variety of debris it is keeping out and you will begin to appreciate the filter’s value.

If your hot tub is inside the house, the debris will typically include dead skin, hair, oils, cosmetic chemicals and other dissolved solids. If the hot tubs or water sources are out in the open, the debris will also likely include leaves, algae and other similar stuff.

Let us look at the different types of filters and how they function.

Cartridge Filters are the type most frequently used. These filter containers contain tightly packed pleats of mesh material such as Dacron. The tight pleats offer a large surface area to capture debris before allowing the water in.

Sand Filters contain sand and gravel that filter out the dirt and debris from the water flowing through them. Because the comparatively bulky filter material fails to trap microscopic debris, chemicals that coagulate microscopic particles are often used to aggregate the particles into bulkier stuff that sand can capture. The filters also require a specific kind of sand, which needs to be replaced periodically.

Diatomaceous Earth Filters contain grids of very fine mesh that is coated with diatomaceous earth (DE) that consists of petrified bones crushed into fine powder. DE acts like a sponge that traps the microscopic debris functioning very much like an adhesive. Disposal of used DE could be a problem, however.

A few simple steps can help maintain hot tub filters in good shape.

• Clean the filter regularly using high pressure water nozzles; do not use cleaning chemicals except those specifically made for hot tub filters
• Replace the filter when it gets worn out or when it ceases to get any cleaner when cleaned as above
• Preferably run the hot tub daily an hour or so even if no one is using it; this ensures that there is adequate water circulation; it also ensures that the hot tub water is turned over regularly
• Keep a watch on the water chemistry and keep it at recommended levels; filters are designed for debris and cannot kill off all bacteria
• It will be a good idea to take a shower to clean yourself before getting into the hot tub; that can reduce the strain on the filters
• Remember that hot tubs are more like spas and not like your bath tub; minimize oils and soaps in the hot tub

Remember! Hot Tub DIY is one of the UK’s leading providers of:

• Hot Tub Chmeicals
• Spa replacement and upgrade parts
• Hot Tub Pumps
• Spa Covers
• Hot Tub Jets and spa filters