Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy
As the leaves begin to change and the temperatures start to creep down to a more tolerable level here in the South, I thought it would be an appropriate time to showcase an article I wrote for former Dallas Metro Home Improvement Magazine. And this one is all about hot tubs! Now sit back, relax, and enjoy…
But first, do your hot tub homework.
Deciding to buy a hot tub is about more than making a purchase—it’s about making a long-term investment. Hot tubs can increase your home’s value, provide a place to relax, and even offer health benefits ranging from better sleep to relief for back, knee, and arthritis pain. Whatever your reasons for adding one of these massaging, relaxing, and downright amazing amenities to your home, check out the following tips for finding the tub that will suit all your needs.
Maintenance issues
When considering ease of maintenance, look for a 24-hour circulation pump—it uses less wattage than a light bulb and circulates water through the filters. Next on the list? An Ozonator. This device converts oxygen to ozone gas and, in turn, acts as a sanitizer, helping fight water contaminants such as bacteria that can irritate your eyes and skin. Alice Cunningham of Olympic Hot Tub Company also suggests using SilkBalance, a self-adjusting water-care formula that fights odors and allergens while helping keep the water crystal clear.
Lights, cameras, action
Hot tubs range from basic to elaborate models that can include waterfalls, lighting features, refrigerators, and more. A basic hot tub that includes circulation, filtration, and water-care features will cost about $5,000 or less and typically seat four people. “Going larger, plus adding lighting features, waterfalls, music systems, and even a TV on a high-quality hot tub will bring the cost to [approximately] $14,000,” Cunningham says. These prices, for both lower- and high-quality hot tubs, should also include a thermal cover, delivery, and set-up.
Bringing your hot tub home
When you’re ready to have your hot tub installed, make sure you have an area ready for it. “Bringing home the enjoyment of a spa may be easier than you expect. Set-up is simple, and there’s no need for expensive construction or plumbing lines,” says Shelli Graves of Hot Spring Spas. The main task is choosing a level site for the tub to sit. If you’re placing it on a deck, make sure the decking is reinforced to adequately support the weight and avoid buying a model that supports all of its weight on the perimeter. If you opt to put your tub somewhere other than the deck, make sure you have a concrete pad or a level patio. Or, you can use a Handi-Spa Pad, a plastic base that offers a durable surface for your hot tub. The Handi-Spa Pad boasts speedy installation and is an easy and affordable way to provide a foundation for your new hot tub.