Owning a hot tub is not a luxury. Sometimes, it may be necessary because it helps relieve aches, pain, and stress. The health benefits of these tubs are becoming more evident by the day, and more people are using them for these benefits and pleasure.
However, owning them is one thing, and maintaining them is another. You must also know how to use them safely to enjoy the best they have to offer. This guide shows hot tubs’ safety and maintenance steps, especially if you are a first-time owner or user.
Safety Steps
After proper installation, you must ensure the tub is safe for use. In other words, proper installation is important, primarily if you use a top choice from Watson’s of St. Louis or any other top quality option. You must check the water quality and cleanliness before diving into it. This is particularly true if it is a family relaxation spot and you have children.
Step One: Check the Water
Ensure the water is clean enough to sit in for minutes or hours. Like a swimming pool, water in a hot tub can become a cesspool of germs and microbes harmful to the skin. You may not immediately see the effect, but they will appear in the long run.
Using it with children makes it even more vital to keep it clean. Their skin is more sensitive to dirt and infection, so allowing them to use the hot tub without cleaning or changing the water could be a health hazard. Use chlorine to clean it and balance the alkalinity.
Step Two: Allow the Chemicals to Work
If you add any chemicals to the water in your hot tub, allow them to work before getting in. Some chemicals need a longer time to work than others, so depending on the type you use, you may need to wait 30 minutes or 24 hours.
Stepping in earlier than you should, may put you at risk of skin irritation or infection. If unsure of the time to wait, cover and leave it for an entire day before use.
Step Three: Check the Temperature
As the name suggests, the water in the tub is usually warm, if not outrightly hot. While you may have set a regulated temperature, checking it to ensure it is the right temperature is also crucial. Dip your hand and elbow into the water before stepping into it.
If unsure, allow it to cool to a certain point before using the tub. It is ideal for the water to be at 38 degrees Celsius, a degree higher than your body temperature. Do not make it too hot to avoid light-headedness or other health issues.
Step Four: Take a Shower
You may not know it, but getting into a hot tub without showering puts germs in the water. Not only is this unhygienic for you but also risky for the lifespan of the item. These risks apply, especially if you spent the day out of the house and used perfumes and oils on your skin.
The same applies to children if you plan to take them into the tub. Check out this resource https://homeinspectioninsider.com/ for more information on taking children into hot tubs.
Therefore, shower or bathe to clean your skin before getting into it to relax. Also, take another shower or bath after getting out to remove chemical residue from your skin if you treated the water. Doing this eliminates the chances of irritation.
Step Five: Do Not Stay too Long
There is always a temptation to stay for an extended period in your hot tub because of its relaxing effect. However, the danger lies in how it may affect your skin and blood pressure. It tends to lower blood pressure and increase the chances of fainting. Plus, your skin may become wrinkled from a prolonged stay in water.
Limit your soaking time to 30 to 40 minutes if you are healthy. For children, keep it to 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a health condition, speak with your doctor before using one.
Maintenance Steps
While ensuring that you keep yourself safe from the hazards of using a hot tub, you must also keep the tub from damage. One way to do this is to drain and clean it after every use. The necessity increases if several people use it for prolonged periods.
Dirt can cake and clog the openings, causing operational issues in the long run. The longer you leave dirty water in the tub, the higher the chances of damaging it. After draining the water, clean the tub with a gentle cleaner and sanitize it with bleach or any other non-abrasive solution. Rinse it properly and allow it to air-dry before covering it.
It is best to sun-dry it because of the effect of the sun’s rays on microbes. But do not leave it exposed to the sun for too long to prevent radiation damage on the finish. Click here to learn more about the safety of hot tub usage and its maintenance.
Conclusion
A hot tub is excellent for relaxation and pleasure, but you must know how to use it safely. Proper maintenance is also crucial to prolong the lifespan of the tub. Keep the water clean and empty the bath after each use. Mind the temperature and use chlorine or bromine when necessary to purify the water. Additionally, clean the tub to remove dirt, preventing unnecessary clogging and premature damage.
