Four Things For Your Hot Tub

Four Things You Need, Hot Tub Speaking

Continuing my personal recommendations marathon …

I’ve looked at four things you need if you have or are getting an in-ground or above-ground pool. Now I’ll switch gears a little and look at another water-based home leisure joy—hot tubs. Or spas. Call them what you like. But there is no questioning that they are fun, therapeutic, and a wonderful way to escape life’s stress, even if just for a while. I’ve never felt more stressed out after a hot tub session than before. Ever.

I’m not going to talk about framing, seating options, numbers of jets, flow rates, or pump & motor sizing. Nothing on insulation, either. Just four things that you need to have if you have or are thinking of getting a hot tub.

A cover lifter.

There are two types. One employs two footplate bases or cabinet mounts. A metal frame attaches, with a bar that stretches across the top of the cover at the fold. Before you get in the tub, fold the cover back. Then lift the entire cover at the fold and gently stand the cover up. The lifter will swing the cover up and pivot it to the back, stacking it behind the hot tub. Please note in this type of system you need some extra space for the cover to swing into its resting place. Eastgate Pools & Spas offers the Cover Rock-it which needs about an 18-inch clearance and works on any bi-fold cover for hot tubs up to 96-inches across.

The second type of lifter offers a hydraulic, or gas shock boost. The mounts attach to the top of the cabinet just below the acrylic lip. Fold the cover like the Rock-it, then easily stand the cover straight up just behind the hot tub. There is no swing-out involved so you only need about four-to-six inches of clearance. Eastgate Pools sells the Cover Valet and the extremely cool thing about it is the hydraulic lift component. Once the cover is folded, the second step is performed with virtually no effort. When demoing, I always showed how easy it was by lifting a big cover using only one finger.

Either style works great and both keep the cover off the deck where it can get scraped, snagged, or torn. It also keeps the cover out of any dirt or debris on the deck that could get transferred to the water when the user drags it back on. A lifter is not advised for use with a waterlogged cover, but installing one when the cover is in undamaged shape might just keep it that way.

Hot tub/spa steps.

When I got my first hot tub, I added a set of mahogany wooden steps. It was a great aid in getting in and out of the tub. Two problems: Firstly, I had to re-stain them several times and the look never came out exactly as I wanted. Secondly, I learned to be extra careful because of a splinter in the bottom of my foot. I realized I had to sand those steps and avoid doing anything that could nick them.

Fortunately, most hot tub steps made now are synthetic that require no sanding or staining. They are strong and durable and have anti-slip surfaces and pads under the legs to keep the step from sliding. And when they get dirty, just take them out in the yard and hose them off. And while my wooden step came pre-assembled, the synthetic steps take about five-minutes to ‘build.’

Steps make it easier for people to enter and exit the tub and help prevent the ‘oops!’ slip getting in or worse, getting out.

Handrail.

I recommend using a handrail in conjunction with the steps. A handrail offers the obvious benefit of assisting with balance, just like a railing on a set of stairs. Whether young, old, or somewhere in between, some days we all just need a little extra help.

Spa scents and aromas.

I started using scents and aroma therapy granules soon after I got my first hot tub around thirty years ago. I’d add a little to the water and my boys (ages 9 and 10 at the time) laughed at me for putting ‘smellies’ in the water. They used several terms that are not socially correct these days to describe how they felt. In short, they didn’t see scents as being very ‘manly.’ But after a couple of months, I ran out of my supply. Both boys gave me grief that I had been so careless to allow this to happen and sternly requested I resolve the problem before the next session! Yes, they were sold!

In short, spa scents are an inexpensive way to add even more fun to the hot tub experience. Eastgate Pools & Spas has an excellent selection of scents sure to add a little zip to hot tub time. Their best seller? Monkey Farts. It smells great and I assure you, it smells nothing like the name. It’s all just part of the fun.

To recap …

I have personally used and highly recommend all of the Four Things You Need, Hot Tub Speaking. From ease of use, increased safety, and extra fun, in my book, each is a must. Stop in at Eastgate Pools & Spas and let an expert show you how these goodies, dare I say necessities, can make hot tub ownership even more satisfying.

Next time: Four Things You Need, Outdoor Furniture Speaking.