Hot tubs are great for relaxing tense muscles and soothing aches and pains. Regular use can also help you get a good night’s sleep.
One of the most important parts of hot tub maintenance is keeping the water clean and balanced. Your hot tub will last longer by balancing the pH level and maintaining the proper total alkalinity.
Health Benefits
There are many health benefits of using a hot tub, from helping with arthritis pain and stress relief to improving circulation and blood sugar levels. In addition, they can also help you get a good night’s sleep and relax your body and mind.
The warm water in a hot tub can dilate your blood vessels, which makes it easier for nutrient-rich blood to reach the muscle tissue and improve circulation. This helps your muscles recover from exercise faster and reduces inflammation and fatigue.
A recent study found that soaking in a hot tub for as little as 10 minutes a day can help lower your blood pressure, which is particularly beneficial for people with heart disease. This lowers the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Soaking in a hot tub can also benefit those suffering from joint pain due to arthritis, fibromyalgia, and low back pain. As the Arthritis Foundation explains, warm water therapy can reduce pain and increase joint mobility and flexibility.
Getting enough sleep is essential for health and well-being, but about 132 million Americans don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours of rest per night. Chronic sleep deprivation can cause health issues, including weight gain, high blood pressure, and depression.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a lack of sleep can have negative effects on your memory, mood, and overall health. A good night’s sleep can also improve your energy levels and mental focus and make you more productive during the day.
A study found that soaking in a hot bath before bedtime can help you fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer, resulting in better sleep quality. The warmth of the water can stimulate your internal body clock and encourage a drop in your temperature that signals your brain it’s time to sleep.
Studies have shown that soaking in a hot tub can relieve stress, promote relaxation, increase circulation, and improve muscle recovery. All of these benefits can lead to improved physical and mental health, so it’s no wonder that hot tubs are becoming an increasingly popular addition to wellness routines and spa treatments!
Safety
Regardless of whether you choose to use your hot tub for relaxation or a little exercise, safety is always the first consideration. Keeping your tub in good repair and your surroundings well-lit will prevent slips, falls, and injuries while you’re in the tub.
Installing a handrail can help people get in and out of the tub without fear of falling over. This can save a lot of lives and avoid costly medical bills from accidents.
It’s also a good idea to install safety lights around your hot tub so that people can see the surrounding area. The light can help them see any obstructions and avoid tripping or falling.
Many new hot tubs are now equipped with handrails to make it easier for users to safely get in and out of the tub. This is especially helpful for elderly or disabled people who may struggle to navigate the steps and stairs to the tub.
While you’re in the tub, be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature of the water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a maximum temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Those with health conditions should turn the heat down even further. And it’s best to consult your doctor before using a hot tub.
In addition, the hot tub’s water should be drained and refilled at least two times a day (hourly if there are multiple users) to prevent bacteria from growing. Similarly, the free chlorine concentration in the water should be monitored to ensure it is at least 2 parts per million.
If you have a child in your home, be sure to take the time to educate them about how to use the hot tub safely. This includes knowing the dangers of a hot tub’s drain covers and ensuring they know not to go underwater or play in the water with their hair near the drain cover.
Another hazard of hot tubs is “suction entrapment,” or the risk of hair becoming entangled in the suction fittings of the filtration system, potentially causing injury or drowning. To combat this risk, hot tubs use a combination of safety suction fittings in the footwell combined with one or more surface skimmers.
Maintenance
Regular hot tubing can help relieve stress, tension, and muscle and joint pain. It also helps increase blood flow to the skin and accelerates the healing of damaged tissues, improving your health and quality of life.
A regular hot tub soak can also be beneficial for people with arthritis. The buoyancy and heat of the water can ease pressure on the aching joints, and the therapeutic massage stimulates the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.
As with any home appliance, keeping your hot tub clean and sanitary is important. Weekly cleaning can help prevent bacteria and scum from building up on the shell of your hot tub.
Maintaining your hot tub regularly is key to its longevity and ensuring you get the most out of it. The best way to ensure that your hot tub stays in great condition is to follow a maintenance schedule broken down into daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual intervals.
This will save you time, money, and energy in the long run as well as ensure that your hot tub is in tip-top shape. You can use a paper schedule or a dry-erase board to keep track of your maintenance tasks.
The most common hot tub maintenance schedule is to change the water every 3-4 months, depending on what type of water system you have installed (such as a chlorine or salt water system). It’s recommended that you leave the cover off for a few hours after you’ve changed the water so that it can off-gas and not affect your spa’s chemicals.
Another important aspect of maintaining your hot tub is to test the pH and alkalinity levels on a regular basis. A water tester or test strips can be used to check these two values, and adjusting the levels accordingly is essential for avoiding problems like scale formation and cloudy water.
The pH of your water should be between 0-14, while alkalinity should be between 125 parts per million and 150 parts per million. If your pH or alkalinity levels are too low or too high, it could cause your spa water to become unbalanced and lead to issues such as scum, algae, and clogged filters. This can also result in equipment damage.
Cost
If you’re considering adding a hot tub to your home, you may be concerned about the costs of operating and maintaining one. However, there are ways to keep your hot tub running smoothly without breaking the bank.
First, you should drain and clean your hot tub regularly to ensure the water is safe for use. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to take care of it for you for about $100 to $150.
Another important maintenance step is to check your hot tub’s thermostat to make sure that it’s always set at the right temperature. This can help you save on electricity bills and avoid overheating your hot tub.
You should also test your water once a week to ensure it’s clean and free of bacteria and other contaminants. This can be done by using a simple test kit from your local hardware store or by hiring an expert to do it for you.
Maintaining good water chemistry will help you prevent algae growth, which is another major source of maintenance costs. You can do this by balancing the pH of your water and adding chemicals to kill any harmful microorganisms.
Performing these tasks on a regular basis will allow you to enjoy your hot tub for years to come. It’s also a great way to relax and de-stress.
Finally, investing in a quality hot tub cover is a good idea to help you avoid costly repairs down the road. Most covers last 3-5 years, depending on how well you protect them from the elements.
When it comes to repair costs, it’s best to get multiple bids on your repair. This can save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run, especially if your spa is older or not as well-protected from the elements as it should be.
If your hot tub requires extensive repairs, you may be able to get reimbursed for parts under your warranty. This is a great way to help reduce your costs, as many hot tub manufacturers offer 1- to 5-year warranties on their equipment.
