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Tips from a Pro-Keeping Your Hot Tub Happy

Autumn is for Hot Tubbing!

The kids are back to school, vacations are over and the nights are getting cool.  Autumn is a time to wind down and relax, which means it's time to enjoy your hot tub more.  Now is a great time to assess your hot tub's condition, as well as its water and accessories, and get it ready for cooler seasons ahead.

Bay State SPA TECH offers a multi-point seasonal checkup for your hot tub, but there are still things you can do on your own to determine if your hot tub needs attention.  Take a good, objective look at your hot tub, its surroundings and its accessories and take note of the following:

Surroundings  -Hot tubs should be situated to avoid issues with their surroundings.  Some of these issues involve landscaping. Are there plantings too close to the hot tub? Are there tree branches directly above? Keeping vegetation away from your hot tub will avoid the introduction of organic matter to your water, which makes it hard to maintain.  Close vegetation also provides a habitat for bugs, rodents, snakes and frogs. This is the time to trim some branches and move the ornamental grasses or shrubs at least 3-5 feet away from the hot tub area.  

Moisture can be a problem, often resulting from poor gutter downspout placement and soil grading.  Be sure gutters aren't draining into the hot tub area and that puddles can't collect at the base of your hot tub.  Check your deck or pad for structural issues, wear, loose railings, etc.  

Safety -Aside from water quality and proper function, there are other factors that should be checked for safety, the most important being your GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This device protects you if an electrical malfunction should occur and is located in your basement electrical panel or in the shutoff located near your hot tub.  There will be a button to test that should immediately trip the breaker.  The breaker will then need to be moved to the OFF position before returning to ON.  Some old hot tubs have this breaker under the hot tub cabinet.  DO NOT use your hot tub if this feature is malfunctioning. NO electrical appliances, lights, switches or outlets should be in the vicinity of the hot tub.

Beware of slippery surfaces.  Wooden decks and sometimes even masonry can get a slimy film in shady areas which can get very slippery.  Power washing the surface or placing down mats can help.  Just about all hot tub related injuries result from slipping and falling while getting in and out, so this is a time to be most cautious.  Be sure any railings and grab-bars are secure and avoid having sharp, pointy objects or glass around the hot tub.
Your hot tub cover is also a safety feature and should have functioning locks which should be locked after every use.
  
For your protection ALL safety instructions included with your hot tub, chemicals and accessories should be followed.  

Cover  -Your hot tub cover not only keeps out unwanted users, it's also its most important energy-saving feature.  Covers get waterlogged over time, getting heavier and heavier until you notice one day that you feel like you're doing a bench press while trying to open your hot tub.  This not only breaks your back and your cover lifter, it breaks your wallet with energy loss. 

Function  -Check for proper function.  Are all the buttons on the control panel working?  Do the jets all come on?  Do you hear any strange sounds?  Your hot tub service professional can perform a seasonal checkup to be sure, but any of these telltale signs mean that maintenance is in order.  Sometimes well-running hot tubs still need minor attention, such as new control knobs, pillows or jet inserts.  While some repairs can be made by owners, it's best to call your repair professional when you're not sure. Ignoring issues can cause further problems, so malfunctions should be repaired promptly.  

Leaks  -One of the most ignored hot tub issues, small leaks, can cause more damage than large ones.  Denial is not a river running out from under your hot tub cabinet, so if you notice a perpetual wet spot, you probably have a slow leak.  Slow leaks will damage the wooden and metal parts of your hot tub's cabinet causing structural problems and can also damage the electronic equipment.  

Water Maintenance  -Water quality affects the safety and enjoyment of your hot tub.  Not only is clear, fresh water more inviting, it is also better for your hot tub's shell and equipment. Be sure to follow your hot tub maintenance regimen and always test water for safety before use.  Water should be completely changed 3-4 times a year, at which time the shell should be cleaned and polished.  These are  tasks that you can perform on your own, or you can set up a cleaning/maintenance/water change schedule with your hot tub service professional.  

More popular than many people realize, hot tubbing is an extremely enjoyable and relaxing recreational activity that is also known to have several health benefits including relief from arthritis, sports and activity injuries and soreness, as well as every day stress.  With a little maintenance and a good service technician your hot tub can provide many, many years of pleasure.  

Bay State SPA TECH, your Hot Tub Service Professional, has over 10 years experience repairing and maintaining every brand of hot tub in Central New England.  Visit our website at: www.baystatespatech.com or email BayStateSpaTech@gmail.com for free email advice and like us at FaceBook: www.facebook.com/BayStateSpaTech

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