To Hot Tub or Not

To Hot Tub or Not

There’s nothing more relaxing and luxurious than sitting back in a nice, state of the art hot tub. While using one at a spa or holiday resort is great, deciding to get one for your own home is quite another thing altogether.

In this article we look at what you need to think about before taking the plunge.

The Pros and Cons of Hot Tubs

The benefits of a hot tub are:

  • It’s a great way to relax and, if you have one installed in your garden, you can use it whenever you want.
  • Hot tubs come in a wide range of designs and sizes which can be tailored to your needs and budget.
  • They are a great feature for the whole family and have several wellbeing benefits – they can potentially reduce stress, ease aches and pains and help with inflammation.
  • Maintenance is relatively simple and, if you keep on top of it, shouldn’t be a problem. Once installed, running costs are not that high at about £40 a month when used regularly.

The disadvantages of a hot tub are:

  • You need to have the space to install one. Most tend to go in the garden, but you can have them installed indoors if you have a suitable room spare.
  • They can be quite expensive, especially if you choose one of the higher end models. Prices range from a few thousand up to £20,000.
  • If you don’t keep on top of your hot tub maintenance it can cause problems including the risk of infection.
  • Installation costs for foundations and electrics will add to the overall cost of the project.

Types of Hot Tub

There are a whole range of different hot tubs you can now have installed on your property. There are inflatable and portable models as well as custom made products the size of a small swimming pool. You can have above ground hot tubs and ones that are sunk into the garden.

You have the choice of a variety of options when considering your hot tub design, for example, introducing massaging jets, speaker systems, fountains, LED lights and even drink holders. Hot tubs come in a variety of different sizes catering for two to three people to many more.

Top Things to Consider

Space and location are the first thing that you need to consider when buying a hot tub. You’ll want an area that is warm in summer but not open to scrutiny by the public or your neighbours. This can mean you are quite limited in your site choices. Location isn’t just about privacy, either. You will need to take into account that the hot tub needs to be on a flat surface; you will need a water supply; for larger tubs you will need concrete foundations to take the weight and you will need to run electricity to the hot-tub from your consumer unit.   

Next you’ll need to think about the size and design of your hot tub – how many seats you want, how many jets, what sort of filtration system and whether you need additional features such as a sound system. If you can, visit a showroom and try out the hot tubs as seat sizing and orientation is very different across the various models and you will want to choose one that fits you.

How to Maintain Your Hot Tub

There are some simple steps you can take to keep your hot tub in tip top condition and the user manual will normally outline these.

  • The first is to keep your hot tub filters clean as these are a vital component. It is advisable to buy spares from the seller.
  • You should only clean your hot tub with products that have been sanctioned by the manufacturer. These include chemicals that are designed to clear out the pipes and prevent build up of debris.
  • Invest in a cover for your hot tub. This saves a lot of problems with any falling leaves or other debris and will certainly reduce your workload and protect the tub at the same time.
  • Each week you should test the pH of the water and adjust if required, check the filters and wipe down the underneath of the hot tub cover.
  • You should give your hot tub a deep clean at least once a month and have an annual service to make sure all elements are working properly.

We hope this article has been helpful, if you do choose to invest in a hot tub – enjoy. However, if you decide this isn’t feasible for you, there is always a soak in the bath to look forward to!