Based on the years of experience in repairs and installations to hot tubs I’ve put together a some things that I think need to be aware of prior to buying one.
Are You Buying your first Hot Tub?
Are you thinking about purchasing the very first hot tub? (Yes, I’m Canadian.) This article is your first correct move. According to the saying”knowledge is power.
It is likely that you will be awed by your hot spa. Based on years of doing repairs and installations in many most frigid winters of the globe and with almost every model and make that is available there are some aspects to consider prior to making the big purchase decision.
It’s not my intention to be the specific brand names since they all have advantages and disadvantages and, most importantly, they don’t pay me. A big purchase like the hot tub is generally an individual decision that could cost you even more when you don’t conduct research first. I’m going to offer few suggestions on things to consider before you purchase. The rest is yours to decide.
Okay, enough of the introduction. Let’s dive into the facts. Let’s get started.
How Much Money Do You Want to Spend?
The first step is to take a hard review of your finances. How much do you have in your savings? Set a budget before you begin your search and make sure you stay within the budget while shopping for the best deal.
Beware of the sales representatives. They’re on commission and earn their income by squeezing you with an array of unnecessary extras that you don’t really require. However, with the right knowledge, you’ll be able to walk into any retailer selling 5 person hot tubs confidently, knowing precisely what you’re looking for asking the appropriate questions, and remaining within your budget.
Do not be afraid to bargain. There are huge price increases on hot tubs, particularly when you begin adding additional amenities, and there’s always chance to bargain when it comes to the final price of your purchase. Be aware that you don’t have to buy these hot tubs. There are plenty of players who are looking to make money and if they’re not willing to talk, to play with a different player. Don’t overindulge and be expecting a ridiculous agreement, but it’s is never a bad idea to inquire.
The most affordable brands. Some time ago one of the biggest retail stores for wholesale discounts (whose name I’m not going to discuss) released an attractive, but unprofessionally made collection of hot tubs priced approximately $5,000. They quickly sold tons of the tubs. I’m sure that most of you reading this will have an concept of the chain of shops you’re talking about. However, when the first cold winter storm came in, water pipes began breaking, pumps began freezing and shells started to crack. I’m grateful that I wasn’t part of that calamity as I was told that about 500 tubs per week returning to the manufacturer. However, the buying public believes they can buy a the best quality, new hot tub at less than $5,000, but they won’t.
If you are offered an expensive hot tub that costs less than $5,000, it’s likely a knock-off of a lower quality made in China that is likely to cost more to repair than the money you spent on it. So be cautious about what you are paying for with your hard-earned cash. According to the old saying you get what you purchase.
I agree that traditional retailers of hot tubs have been undercutting the public for a long time However, they also offer extra security in any warranty or installation work that they provide when you purchase locally. This alone could be worth the additional cost and security in case you encounter any issues with your hot tub later on, however, you’ll still have to spend anywhere from $8,000 to $14,000 for a basic high-quality hot tub. However, when you add extras such as stereos, jets with additional jets or LCD screens, the price will rise.
Where will You Put The Hot Tub?
Installing inside: If you install your tub inside, your main concern will be venting the water released from the tub. Additionally, you will need to ensure adequate drainage.
Installation Outside: The more close the hot tub is to your house and the less installation cost. The electric wires that connect through your home to the electrical panel can be expensive and so the further you are the more advantageous, not to mention the work involved if you need to dig a trench under a muddy ground to lay electrical cables.
If the tub is placed in the dirt, you should remember that, if you’re in a climate that is colder every spring, the ground melts. If your tub is placed on the ground, as the ground begins melting next spring, it’s going to move the burden of the water inside your tub, which can cause significant strain, and if the shell begins to crack then you’re in for a major problem.
It is likely that you will need to dig a hole at least four feet to be below the frostline before pouring the concrete slab to that depth or, if placed on a deck, make sure that the deck is able to support all that weight.
A six-person hot tub filled with water is likely to weigh at least 5000 pounds. with no of your wild partying friends playing around, so check whether the location you’re contemplating putting your tub on can handle the load. In the event that it is not, then you could need to consider digging several four-foot deep holes to install cement support posts that rise to just above the ground or even higher, and then set four-inch square pressure-treated wooden posts directly under the deck’s floorjoists, or underneath the deck, to in supporting the weight of your tub. Four concrete columns are perfectly and you may even be able to do it with two columns if you’ve done it correctly. A skilled handyman or carpenter will be able to do it even if you’re unfamiliar with the procedure , but when it must be completed, you must take it off before the tub is installed.
It’s not fun to invite all your guests to join you for a hot tub celebration and then the whole tub falls over on your deck and there are live electrical wires bursting out of the water, splashing all over and people getting in the water. It’s not the kind of buzz they were hoping for making at your party. I can smell a lawsuit if anyone is injured, or even more serious, so why should you risk it? Make sure you do it right from the beginning.
Before you buy…
Tips: If you remove the skirting covers from the side of your tub, and examine the inside of the shell you will see that it has been sprayed , but not all around the jet hose connections and when the foam is removed or altered this means that it was leaky in the tub and someone tried to repair it. If water is still leaks out, there is problems this is the reason the…
Always purchase a tub that is filled with water.
It’s important to know when purchasing a new or used. It might have been just a bad seal but now that they know that you know, it makes for a great final-price-negotiating tool and if you are buying from a retail store, make sure that those problems were addressed and written in the warranty in case there are any problems down the road.
Hot Tub Insulation: Do You Need It?
A good insulation level is an important aspect in keeping your power costs down. Be sure that the entire interior surface of the shell is coated with foam insulation that is at least 33 millimeters thick/2.5 inches (standard). 100 mm is even better. You can test this by taking off the skirting panels around the tub’s shell.
Another great insulating element is the use of a thermo blanket (at minimum one inch thick generally around 18 in wide, and about 30 inch long according to the dimensions of the tub) that is attached on the rear of your skirting panel inside the tub. It’s usually an oval piece of foam, with a thick thin tin foil glued directly to the skirting’s back within the interior in your bathtub. (Another NASA invention filtering its way to the retail market.)
This can help keep cold out, as well as reflect the heat coming out of the pumps to the space around the tub’s interior and aids in controlling the temperature inside the tub, ensuring that the heating system doesn’t have to work so hard to keep the temperature of your water exactly as you prefer it. This can result in lower monthly heating costs.
Simply simply, when I get home and get in, my hot tub, and it’s exactly at the temperature I have set it to the insulation I mentioned earlier is in place precisely as I would like it to do.
Hot Tub Jets: How many? Air or Water?
Jets? The number of jets you need is dependent on how many people are going to be in the tub, and what parts of your body do you wish to massage. When you begin to experience 30 40 or 50 or and 100 jets or more, it is likely that you will require another, or maybe a third air or water pump and air pump, so be aware of this when calculating the cost of units. Just ensure that all jets are operating with using water as well as air.
Air jets or water? It’s also beneficial to have a mixture between jets, and air. Water is the bigger (jacuzzi) jets while air are the smallerjets, with a diameter of one inch. They work well together to produce different effects on various of muscle groups. Certain parts that are part of you. like your back, as an instance, might require an intense, penetrating water jet massage. Other parts, such as your feet, might benefit from the comfort of a gentle air bubble massage. It’s good to have two alternatives.
TIP: Never forget your feet. It’s a mistake that a lot of buyers make when they buying because they’re looking for the cool LCD or stereo screen instead, only to be always regretful for not having it. Our feet absorb the majority of our body weight daily and are subject to a lot of abuse, so don’t neglect to massage your feet a much-needed massage as well (hydro-Reiki or as I refer to it).
Hydrotherapy massage for the entire body is the best option I believe that it is the best way to get there.
Another tip: Make sure to purchase stainless-steel jet rings, not PVC (PVC) or what they prefer to call it nowadays. Plastic wears quickly with the use of tubs and cracks. It’s an absolute pain in the butt for changing and replace.
Do You Really Need A Cover for Your Hot Tub Cover?
If you are a resident of frigid winters, the more thick the cover the more durable. A cover that is five inches thick with four inch sides can do a lot of work to keep the warmth inside the tub, in the place it belongs.
The majority of bathtubs have the standard 3-inch thick cover however if you reside in colder climates you should consider spending the extra cash for a more robust cover. If your provider doesn’t have these, you can you can go online to purchase one.
I’d like to ask an inquiry: Have had the pleasure of looking at an unattended hot tub with its cover in place and observed steam pouring from the sides, as if it was a pressure cooker, and thought”Oh that’s cool”? If you’re an owner of a hot tub it’s not something you’d want to see since this can lead to serious loss of heat that can lead to greater costs for power. This is not a good thing.
Covers are another thing that if there’s one foot of snow in the dirt, and an inch of fresh snow over my hot tub’s cover I’m a happy hot tub owner because I know that there won’t be any heat loss directly through the cover’s top or down the sides.
If it is a snowstorm and there’s no snow on your roof it means a serious loss of heat , which again leads to more expensive heating costs. This is not a good thing. Covers that are thick, custom-designed and durable are the best. This is among your best investment options.
TIP Note: Tip: In Canada It is illegal to leave the hot tub cover not locked if there’s no person in your spa. The reason is because young children are able to easily climb over the steps and end up in the bath and fall into the tub, something that has happened numerous times. Therefore, ensure that you close the cover when you’re not in use. What’s the risk in an inexpensive fix? The majority of covers are equipped with a lock and key today as standard equipment, so keep the key in a secure in a secure, locked location.
Lifters for covers are great for those who aren’t able folding the covers in two, take it away, and put it on the wall. However, when you’re on your own or are facing physical difficulties you should definitely invest in an item to lift your cover. It is a relatively inexpensive, but worthwhile purchase. The covers can be uncomfortable and heavy sometimes, particularly when you’re exhausted or in any kind of discomfort. Lifters are available in various styles that are fully automated or come with hydraulic pumps mounted to allow for effortless movement. I recommend visiting the closest dealer and examining them to determine if you’re shopping with them. Every person has different requirements.
