Spa Planning

Planning for Your Hot Tub

Spa, hot tub, whirlpool, masseur bath, hydro-massage bathtub - what a confusing list of names! Essentially, all provide a place for you to relax in warm (or hot) moving water. The major differences between them are: the depth of the water, whether or not the water is left in the tub between uses, and the number of people the tub can seat.

The terms spa and hot tub are used interchangeably to describe a tub similar to a miniature swimming pool. The heated water stays in the water-tight tub, although the water is drained every three months or so to allow for cleaning. A complete spa package should include the tub, insulating cover, heater, pump and filter system. Both portable and built-in tubs are available.

Spas are usually molded from man-made materials such as acrylic or thermoplastic and come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors.

For strength, the tub material is bonded to backing material. A physical bond is not as durable as a chemically fused bond, which eliminates the potential for blistering or separation of the two layers.

Selection of material is important because of the tub`s prolonged contact with hot water and chemicals. Outdoor spas must also withstand sunlight and weathering.

Look for accessible controls, pump and filtration system for easy maintenance and repair.

A wide mouth skimmer opening draws off debris and oils from the surface water and into the filter for removal. This helps reduce manual clean-up time.

An automatic shut-down control is an important safety feature in case the motor overheats.

Look for non-slip steps and grab bars for easy and safe entry and exit into or out of the spa.

A thermometer is a necessary safety feature to insure the water can be monitored. Digital control pads normally offer this feature. The recommended water temperature should not exceed 40 C (104 F)

For outdoor tubs, freeze protection may be a desirable feature, depending on which pump system is used.

When you have narrowed your choice to two models, do a wet test to determine the comfort when seated, water depth, the size, strength and location of water jets (not necessarily the number of jets) and ease of getting in and out of the tub.

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