(NC)- A residential hot tub can transform a home into a vacation destination twelve months of the year. When you decide to join the thousands across Canada already enjoying the benefits of hot tubs, you will first need to choose between the different styles currently available.
Portable hot tubs can be easily relocated within a yard or to a new property. These once-piece units are available in a variety of water jet configurations and seating arrangements. They feature acrylic or composite shells and conceal plumbing and mechanical elements behind a finished cabinet. Portable tub sizes vary significantly, accommodating anywhere from two to more than ten people at a time. They can be fitted with hundreds of different accessories from TVs to lighting and are simple and quick to install.
Often similar to portable units, built-in hot tubs are recessed into a custom enclosure in a deck or floor. They can feature acrylic shells or a concrete base with a mosaic tile finish. The latter allows homeowners to choose the size, shape and design of the tub, matching personal preference and existing décor. This style of tub boasts easier access and a more elegant design but can be difficult to repair or relocate.
For the purist, classic wooden-style hot tubs are still produced by some manufacturers. Made from staves of cedar or redwood, these tubs add a wonderful rustic look to any setting. Many modern wooden models come with built-in liners that help extend their life expectancy.
Swim spas are some of the largest hot tub models available. They are ideal for homeowners who want the benefits of both a pool and a hot tub despite space restrictions. The defining feature of a swim spa is the powerful, fully adjustable main jet that pumps a stream of water allowing swimmers to swim in place. These long rectangular shells can be finished with a custom cabinet or set into a floor or deck. For more information on the different models of hot tubs, or to locate a dealer in your area, contact the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada at (800) 879-7066 or, online at www.poolcouncil.ca <http://www.poolcouncil.ca> .
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(NC)-A clean hot tub will not only ensure the health and safety of its users but can also extend the life of the tub by several years. Maintaining the proper pH, total alkalinity and calcium levels is the most important part of hot tub maintenance. Thankfully, preserving the proper balance doesn’t require a degree in chemistry. Using simple water quality test kits and specialized chemicals purchased at hot tub retailers, anyone can easily maintain a healthy and clean hot tub environment.
With the proper equipment, water testing takes less than a minute and provides the information you need to keep water clean and balanced. The two most common types of test kits are litmus strip testing and tablet testing. In litmus testing, a strip of paper dipped into the hot tub is compared to a chart on the package. Tablet testing involves dropping a tablet into a collected sample of water and comparing it to the provided colour-matched indicators.
Testing will let you know the correct amount of sanitizer to add, if any at all. Advances in water care have improved the efficiencies of common sanitizers like chlorine to the point where a teaspoon of sanitizer is often all that is required. Bromine is another popular sanitizer that is gentle on the eyes and skin, and virtually odour-free.
The chemistry of a hot tub can change very quickly so ensuring proper water quality through regular testing is important. If not properly maintained, the hot water in your tub can promote algae and bacteria growth. Hot tub owners should look to local retailers or organizations like the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada for more advice on how to keep their tubs clean. Additional information is available online at www.poolcouncil.ca, or by calling (800) 879-7066.
Credit: www.newscanada.com
By Mark Brown
(NC)-Before central heating and suburban sprawls, the fireplace served as a common area where family members would join to share news, create bonds and build relationships. With the advent of new technology and modern amenities, today’s homes often decentralize the family unit and impede the bonding process. A residential hot tub can replace the fireplace as the modern family hearth and allow families to regain cohesion through domestic interaction.
A residential hot tub possesses all of the qualities required of a modern hearth. Since homeowners no longer rely on open fire to provide heat and food, a hot tub is a perfect venue for family bonding. Hot tubs are accessible year-round and can be installed either indoors or outdoors. They offer hot, relaxing water to soothe stress and multiple jets to melt away the day’s worries, a perfect place to reconnect with the family unit after a long day at work.
The latest hot tubs can be equipped with all the accessories a family needs to facilitate a family bonding session. Onboard media systems can deliver television, CD, satellite radio, MP3 music and even the Internet through built-in speakers and displays. Likewise, spa-side tables and built-in refrigerators allow for tub-side meals and refreshments.
Families are spending increasing amounts of spare time outside the home or sequestered in separate rooms. As a result, finding a location for daily communication vital to the development of the healthy family unit has never been so important. More information on how to make a hot tub your family’s hearth is available online at www.poolcouncil.ca, or by calling (800) 879-7066.
Credit: www.newscanada.com