In many parts of the country the chill of winter has already begun to descend with cold mornings and icy evenings. With the impending cold season looking large, it is important to begin considering how to protect your home, your plants and your pool or hot tub. Most people make sure to plan for the winter months as far as their homes are concerned, but for many, neglecting to consider one’s pool, hot tub or yard can lead to expensive [...]

What is Alkalinity?Total Alkalinity is a measure of the amount of buffering capacity in the water. It acts as a shock absorber for the pH. If Total Alkalinity is too low, the water is acidic and can corrode equipment and hot tub surfaces. It also causes pH bounce. The pH will drift down and any adjustments made to it will bounce and be difficult to control. If Total Alkalinity is too high, the water is alkaline and scale buildup and [...]

Having trouble maintaining your hot tub water at the quality you would like it? Maybe it is time to see how your spa filter is working for you. The most important thing when it comes to having high quality hot tub water is your filtration system. If your filter is worn out or clogged it will not do its job of filtering the contaminants out which then puts strain on your spa’s pump and heater. Your spa filter cartridge should [...]

With Tropical Storms Karl and Lisa picking up speed off of our nation’s coasts, homeowners are beginning to stock up on dry goods, bottled water, and first aid supplies. However, for many homeowners, preparing the home also encompasses preparing the garden as patio furniture, delicate plants, outdoor structures, pools and hot tubs also need to be protected against possible incoming storms. Preparing your hot tub for a storm, whether it be a severe tropical storm or a hurricane, takes little [...]

Chances are you have received a wealth of conflicting information on how to take care of your hot tub. Friends and family offer helpful tips, your owner’s manual comes with a long list of prescriptions and your chemical testing kit probably has its own suggestions. With all of this information available, how do you know what is useful? There are a few basic rules that all hot tub owners ought to follow in order to ensure a safe and pleasant [...]

When relocating to another city or state, one of the most difficult decisions is whether or not to move a hot tub along with all other belongings. On one hand, you have invested a good amount of money in your spa and probably enjoy using it quite a bit. Not to mention, hot tubs and other outdoor improvements increase the value of a home. However, the headaches involved in moving such a bulky appliance can sometimes be enough to dissuade [...]

With the economy struggling to get back on track, more and more people are looking for ways to cut back and save an extra dollar wherever possible. With the multitudinous costs involved in owning and operating a hot tub, many owners are finding ways to cut expenses. There are many ways for you to save money on your spa when you most need it. Hot tub heaters can add 10-20 percent to an energy bill; find out how to cut [...]