With so many different varieties of hot tub cover lifters to choose from it may seem tough to choose one that is right for you. There are many designs and styles to choose from depending on your set up. The benefits of having a cover lifter are they assist you in moving the hot tub cover and storing it easily to the side of the spa. They are great as they take the work out of lifting the spa cover. They also prolong the life of the spa cover from being dragged etc and improve the appearance of the hot tub. It also allows a safe spot for the cover to rest while you are enjoying your spa.

There are hot tub cover lifters that hold the spa cover up and form a privacy wall from neighbors and wind such as the Cover Valet. This one makes lifting the spa cover easy as it has gas shocks to help assist the cover to the side of the spa. The shock is similar to the shock you have in the trunk or rear hatch of your car. This particular lifter will mount to the top of the spa so it can form the privacy wall.

There are also spa cover lifters that mount towards the bottom of the spa to tuck the cover away. The Cover Buddy is an easy to use manual lifter that mounts to the bottom of the spa to allow the cover to be stored at the side.

The Cover Roller is a lifter that acts as a table when the cover it. It holds the cover folded in half at the side of the spa. There are rollers on the arms to make sliding the cover to the side very simple. They are kind of like wheels on rollerblades so it will roll the cover to position with your assistance. With this one you may need more clearance, about half the cover size to store it. The arms on this one bend in when not in use as well for easy storage.

Cover lifters have improved so much over the years that they even have made them so they require no drilling into the spa at all. The Cover Caddy is one that has an under mount feature so you do not have to drill into your hot tub. This one is like a basket for your cover; this holds the cover from the bottom and does not add stress to the centre of the cover. There are other ones available that require no drilling as well if that one isn’t the style you are looking for.

You want to make sure that you have the right amount of clearance for the lifter you choose. When researching your lifter make sure the clearance required is noted. Most lifters require 12-18” of clearance when mounting to the bottom of the spa so the lifter can tuck the cover behind. The ones that mount to the top of the spa will require less clearance as the cover doesn’t fold behind the spa.

There are also shape restrictions for some lifters so make sure you do check to make sure the lifter will work for your application.

Hot tub owners should not shy away from buying a spa cover lifter because they are affordable, very durable and most come with warranties. In addition, they come in every standard size and can be special ordered for custom sized spas. They also are available for portable tubs. Whatever the need or design, one can be found that will be a perfect fit!

While pool owners are getting their pools ready for summertime, most hot tub owners are shutting down their spas to prepare for the hot summer weather. Many people stop using their hot tubs in the summer. But what most hot tub owners don’t know is that their hot tub can actually be the best place to cool off when it is hot out.

All you have to do is make your “hot tub” into a “cool tub”. This is a quick and easy thing to do, just turn the water off! Also if you take the cover off and keep the jets running the temperature of the water drop quickly. To keep the hot tub water cool, keep the cover on during the sunny days when it is not in use, and keep the cover off and the jets running at night during the cool evenings.

The water will heat slower than the air outside; the insulation in the spa will help keep its cooler temperature from evening into the next day. And unlike a pool, a insulated, covered hot tub will not be taking in the heat from direct sunlight during the day time.

This is an excelled way to make the most of your hot tub year round! So relax and enjoy the hot weather in your cool tub!

- Devon Werkheiser

Here are four easy tips to help keep your hot tub cover in good condition so it will last longer, and save you time and energy.

Tip #1.
The number one reason covers will break down is due to chemical damage. Chemical damage can occur from poor water chemistry either high in acid, or high in disinfectants such as chlorine and bromine. One tip to prevent the chemicals from damaging the cover, is when you are shocking the water take the cover completely off, and keep it off for at least 30 minutes to an hour. Also make sure you check all chemical levels properly to maintain a healthy environment for not only your cover, but also for the hot tubs equipment and for any guests you invite over to take a dip in the hot tub.

Tip #2.
This next rule is not only important in protecting your hot tub cover, but also protecting your loved ones. Do not let your friends, children or pets sit or stand on the hot tub cover. Anyone or thing sitting or standing on the cover can easily break the foam. Once the foam inside the cover is cracked the cover is no longer going to able to work to its full potential. Water logging, sagging, and failure will happen quickly once the foam is broken.
Even if your cover can handle the weight of your dog or small pet, over time they can make the cover sag and this can lead to water pooling on top of the cover, which over time will crack the foam and the vinyl becoming fragile.

Tip #3.
Do not drag, pull, kick, or grab by the security straps when taking the cover off, or putting it back on the hot tub. Many covers are torn or broken from the owner removing the cover the wrong way. When taking the cover off and back on use the proper handles on the sides of the cover. Also a great accessory to help with easily removing the cover and preventing damage is a cover lifter. We recommend a hydraulic lifter, this type of cover lifters have hydraulic assists that will do most of lifting for you.

Tip #4.
Keep the cover clean of any debris and moisture as much as possible. Use warm water and a mild soap to clean the cover, and an application of 303 four to five times a year is all you need. Also make sure to remove any snow or rain water, and debris from fallen leaves constantly. Do not use products such as Amoral as they can make the vinyl of the cover fragile and will ruin the cover. We recommend the product 303, which is made exclusively for marine grade vinyl.

Finally, if your cover is getting too heavy to lift then it is time for a new cover. There is no cure for a water logged cover; it merely needs to be replaced.

1. Make sure you check your pool’s water chemistry regularly. Check the water chemistry twice a week during the summer months, and once a week in the winter. By doing this regularly you can make small adjustments to the water chemistry opposed to large adjustments that can create a wild up and down graph of activity.
2. Allowing the pH levels to get above 8.0. If the pH level is 8.5 the chlorine is only working at 10%. At 7.0 it is working about 73%. If you can maintain the pH level around 7.5 the chlorine is 50-60% active. Keeping the pH levels at normal will allow you to use the chlorine at its full potential.
3. Not sustaining alkalinity between 80-140 PPM. Low or high alkalinity can affect water balance and the sanitizers ability to work properly.
4. Not checking TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) or calcium solidity on a routine basis. Check TDS every 6 months, and for Calcium hardness every month. These also can affect water balance.
5. Not cleaning on the cells in salt water systems (chlorine generators). Corroded or calcified cell will not be able to produce the right amount of chlorine.
6. Backwashing sand or DE filters all the time. If you do this, the filter will never be able to reach its full cleaning potential. If you backwash regularly, you are also wasting water. Many filters require backwashing when the pressure gauge rises 8-10 PSI from clean.
7. Not cleaning the skimmer basket and the hair and lint pot in the pool pump regularly. If the basket is full of dirt and debris you will get minimal flow which can result in poor circulation, and can potentially create large problems with the pool.
8. Adding chemicals, chlorine in particular, during the day time. It is better to add chemicals in the evening after the sun has gone down, you will get more out of the chemicals this way.
9. Not brushing the walls and tile down regularly. If your circulation system is suspect, which a lot of them are, washing down the walls will help reduce algae problems. Keeping the tile clean will also help save you money. Once tiles get calcium on them, it becomes similar to plaque on your teeth and you will need a specialist to come and clean it off for you.
10. Make sure that you keep the space between the bottom of the cantilever on the deck and the top of the tile in check. If this cracks, then put in some silicon. You do not want water migrating from the inside of the pool out under the decking.
11. Not running the pumps for a long enough period of time. Your pumps should run about one hour for every 10 degrees of temperature. This is all about the flow! Circulation is key to having a low maintenance swimming pool.
12. If you do not replace missing drains or suction sources. This is a very real and also a dangerous hazard.

When speaking with friends who also have hot tubs, a topic that is always coming up in conversation is how we maintain the hot tub chemicals and the different techniques used to shock a hot tub. The most common chemicals used are chlorine and bromine. Bromine is more expensive than chlorine, but is not as aggravating to the skin. Many people who have sensitive skin use bromine over chlorine.  Some hot tubs already come with a sanitization system built into the hot tub which is called an Ozonator. Having heard many different things, I decided to do some research on them to see if it is worth it for spa owners to have them placed in the spas, or for future spa owners to have them already built into the their new tub.

An ozonator is a mechanism in your hot tub that uses ozone gases which are inserted into the spa’s water. It acts as a potent sanitizer that breaks up most of the bacteria and viruses in the water as well as algae and yeasts. It can reduce the odor in the spa and chloramines. It also breaks down body oils so your water will look clean and clearer then if you were just using bromine and chlorine. Ozone also oxidizes soap, deodorant, hair spray, cologne, makeup, perfume, body lotion, hand cream, saliva and urine.  By using an ozonator you will be able to maintain your bromine and chlorine dilution at the low end scale when testing the water. Used with the sanitizer ozone helps kill bacteria, germs and viruses. People I have talked to who have an ozonator say that they only have to change the spa water every 8-12 months, instead of every 3 months when just using chlorine and bromine.

The quality of the water will be dramatically better with the combination of ozone and chlorine or bromine than with chlorine or bromine by itself. The ozone will not only break down harmful chemicals it also causes the total dissolved solids to clump together so the filter can catch them easier.

Ozone is also perfectly compatible with alternative systems such as Cleanwater Blue, Nature2 mineral purifier and Spa Frog. One thing to remember though is Ozone does not replace your current sanitizer. Ozone has a very short life of about 15 minutes and alone it is not as effective as a sanitizer.  For the ozone to be more effective you want to run the ozonator at least 4-6 hours per day.

If you have an have an ozonator, or are thinking of having one put in your hot tub, you will still have to filter the water as often because impurities are continually being introduced into the water. The ozonator will destroy most of them, but there will still be some microscopic contaminations that will need to be filtered out of the water.

You should know that if you do have an ozonator your hot tub cover will require a little extra care, you do have to remove the lid completely for about 20-60 minutes a week so that ozone can breathe as if it remains trapped in the cover it can eat away at the plastic barrier allowing water in.

After viewing different opinions online, many consumers feel that their ozonator is helpful in maintaining their spa’s water chemistry. While others believe it is not essential and too expensive.  After factoring the cost to have it replaced, the damage it can cause to a hot tub cover, I advise researching all options before purchasing an ozonator for your hot tub.

When it is time to replace your hot tub covers you can ensure it’s the right one for you by making sure your cover has these three basic components.

The first thing you want to make sure the spa cover has is at least a 1.5lb foam core. The foam is what provides the insulation as well as the strength on the cover. Most manufacturers use a 1lb inferior foam that doesn’t insulate well or provide structural strength to the cover. You also want to make sure the foam is tapered (ex: 5″ down to 3″) so that water can easily run of the spa cover. Flat foam will just allow the water to stay on the cover, making it heavy and if left it can eventually break the cover.

A 4-2″ standard cover is great for moderate climates where there isn’t a lot of heavy snow on the cover, the 5-3″ premium cover is a great cover to handle snow and allow water to run off. That is one of the most popular covers on the market. The 6-4″ premium plus cover would handle high snow fall areas as well as insulate the spa more efficiently.

The second thing is the vinyl covering, a good vinyl should be at least 25oz. The vinyl should be treated with UV protectors and mildew inhibitors. Even the threading should be UV protected. This helps prolong the life of the vinyl against the elements such as snow, sun, rain and ice.  The underside of the vinyl should have either a drain hole or mesh so that the cover can breathe and allow any built up moisture to escape.

The third thing you want to watch for this the vapor barrier. That is the plastic protecting your inserts. You want to make sure this is heat sealed. This will keep the water from getting into your cover and making it heavy. A lot of manufactures just tape the inserts into the plastic so water can get into them. This is because the chemicals can break the tape down and allow the water into the foam so making sure they are heat sealed is recommended to prolong the life of the cover.

Some other things you may want to keep in mind are the warranty and safety of the spa cover. Most companies offer a 1-3 year warranty.
Make sure your cover meets industry standards. This means your cover is labeled as a safety cover and will have reinforced straps and locking hardware keys.

Purchasing a spa cover shouldn’t be complicated, remember if you have any questions just ask the company. The response from them will not only provide you with your answer to your question, but it will show you their customer service.

Hot tub leaks can happen frequently, especially if the hot tub it being used regularly. Some leaks can be very hard to find, and can cause a problem for a long period of time. Finding the leak is the first step in fixing it. Here is a list of tips to help you with find and repair a leaking hot tub.
Essential Tools and Materials

• Basic tool set
• Slice/Knife and Gate Valves
• Pump Wet End Seal
• Plumbing Tubing
• Jet Bodies
• Acrylic Spa Shell
• Heater Assembly Manifold

1. The hot tub pump
   Many hot tub pumps leak. Sometimes the problem can be the seal on the pump which can be replaced easily. Another fault can be with the union fittings. These can get loose from continual use, or even in shipment. To fix this, all you need to do is hand-tighten them and you will be fine. Also please note that it is a good idea to turn off the power to the hot tub before masking any repairs or adjustments.
2. Hot Tub Valves
   All valves are at risk of leaking, and need to be checked regularly. The gasket on the knife style valves can easily break which will result in them leaking. Also there are some hot tubs that have valves on either side and are also a frequent cause of leaking. Valves need to be replaced right away if you see a leak in them.
3. Hot Tub Heaters
   If you notice that your heater is leaking you need to check the heater assembly manifold and replace any parts that may be necessary in fixing a leak.
4. Other Connections
   All connections need to be checked frequently for leaks. This includes all pipes and jets. Tighten loose ones, and seal those that are leaking and replace failing spa gaskets. Most connections can be tightened or sealed but leaking hot tub jets that have a failing gasket will need to be replaced. Cracked pipes can be sealed with PVC sealing glue.
5. Spa Shell leaks
   Spa Shell leaks do not happen often as most hot tubs are made with very strong fibreglass that is not easily broken. On the other hand leaking may occur around the jests or other attachments due to lose thread or fitting.  If the shell of the hot tub has a leak, use PVC bonding products to seal.
6. Other leaks
   If you cannot find where the leak is coming from, you can use this helpful method to find the leak. Add a small amount of food coloring to the water and look at where the food coloring is pulling toward in the tub. Another way is to completely empty the tub and keep checking the level at which leaking stops. This is a good indicator of the possible location of the leak.
   If you are having a hard time finding where the leak is coming from, or are not confident in finding the leak yourself it may be a good idea to call in a Hot tub repair specialist.

- Oscar Wilde

Hot Tub Placement and Preparations
Preparing your backyard for a hot tub is easy if you follow a few simple steps. There are basically three steps to preparing for your hot tub delivery. The first step is choosing a location, second step is preparing the required electrical components, and the last thing is preparing the ground for the hot tub.

The first thing you will want to do is chose an area in your backyard to place the hot tub. There are a few items to consider when your choosing the area of your backyard where the hot tub will go. One of the first things to consider is the focal point. Your Hot tub or spa will help define your backyard space, so make sure you take into consideration its color, texture, size, and height into your area. Next, and even more important to the placement of your hot tub or spa is the proximity to your house, back door, or walkout. There are a couple reasons you will want to consider proximity of your hot tub or spa. First, for the people in the northern parts of the country it goes without saying you don’t want to have to trek to far in the snow to get to and from your hot tub. So, general rule of thumb is to place your hot tub no more than 25 – 50 feet from the access door of your home.  The second reason proximity is important and this is for everyone regardless of climate is the farther away you place your hot tub or spa, the more your electrical will cost. The wire required to operate your hot tub is usually a #6 wire and is very expensive, so you want to keep the distance down if possible. However, do not replace the perfect focal point due to cost of the wire, but balance the decision best you can. Do not worry about your water access as you only need to run a hose to the hot tub so water should not be a consideration into the placement of your hot tub or spa.

The electrical requirements are the next items to take  care of in the preparation of your backyard for a hot tub or spa. The best advice I can give on this is find a buddy that is an electrician and bribe him or her  with beer or weekends in your backyard as the electrical component is one that shocks most and is fairly expensive. Next to a buddy get a few quotes, and consider purchasing the parts needed such as the GFI and the wire as I mentioned earlier, it may save you some bucks to search online for the parts needed. Check with your hot tub dealer for what GFI and wire is required for your hot tub as they are all different. Most need a 40 to 60 amp GFI and use #6 wire. The cost of your electrical for your hot tub and you better sit down for this will run you $800 to $1500 depending on distance to your panel and amps your unit draws. So, after you work out who is going to do the job and you have purchased your GFI and wire it is important to run the wire to your location before preparing your ground for your hot tub or spa. You want to bury it so that it is not a hazard or an eyesore in the backyard.

Ok last item to look at is the preparation of the ground. The most important thing is that the ground be level for your hot tub or spa, the reason you need the ground level is so the water line of the hot tub runs completely level. You can have the hot tub level with the ground, or slightly or completely sunken into the ground. For access I suggest keeping the hot tub on top of the ground. So, there are a few ways to level out the ground for your hot tub or spa. The best way to prepare the ground is with a concrete pad. To pour a concrete pad take the dimensions of the hot tub and add 1 foot to the dimension of the tub on three sides, and 3 feet on the entry dimension of the tub allowing for placement of a hot tub step. Once you mark  out the area, remove the sod and dig down about 4 to 6 inches. Fill the area with screening and level  out the screening at about 3 to 4 inches. The next step is to prepare a 2 x 4 frame around the area to pour your concrete into. Using rebar to solidify the corners of your pad frame pour your concrete and smooth and level the pad using a troll. The other way to prepare the ground for your hot tub is with screening and patio stones. Much like you prepared for the concrete pad you will remove  the sod and dig down 4 – 6 inches. Fill the area with screening and level it off at 3to 4 inches. Next place your patio stones and level as required. The last way to prepare your ground for your hot tub is a fairly new idea called hot tub pads, which are made by confer plastics in Buffalo NY. The idea of the hot tub pad is that you do not need to take as much time to prepare your ground for a hot tub or spa. The pads which are very user friendly can be found at www.spasuppliesonline.com

You can also place your hot tub on your deck, just make sure that the deck has been made to withstand the weight of your hot tub full which should be available from your hot tub supplier. Also, as stated before make sure your deck is level or that you level the spa or hot tub.

Hot Tub Pads
I hope this helps in your preparation of your backyard for your new hot tub or spa. And remember make time to jump in your hot tub every night, your body will thank you.