Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Tubs and Swim Spas

Are you the proud owner of a hot tub or swim spa? Is your backyard equipped with the features, accessories and furnishings that dreams are made of? If you have a backyard paradise geared toward leisure, recreation and entertainment, you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest. Here at Imagine Backyard Living, we want you to make the most of your outdoor oasis – without compromise. That’s why we have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions that we hear and provided the answer to each one. If you have a question about your spa or backyard, keep reading!

What is a Swim Spa?

Swim spas are often described as the perfect balance between a swimming pool and a hot tub. For those who can’t decide between the rest and relaxation that they get out of a hot tub, and the recreation and exercise received from spending time in a swimming pool, a swim spa is the best solution. Ranging from about 12 to 18 feet in length, swim spas often have hydrotherapy seats, which can allow your body to recover after exercise. This can prove to be very helpful to those who want to use their swim spa as a place to relax and heal, as they are often equipped with these ergonomic seats, along with jets and speakers.

Swim spas often offer a long and open concept layout, perfect for recreational activities and exercise. In fact, most swim spas are equipped with a powerful jet system. This jet can create a stream of water strong enough for users to swim against, eliminating the need to stop, turn around and push off of a wall while swimming laps, as one would do in a swimming pool. This creates a much more personalized and comfortable swimming experience for many. Swim spas can be installed above or below ground and can fit in most medium to large-sized backyards.

How Much Do Hot Tubs Weigh?

When filled with water, hot tubs can weigh anywhere from 2,000 to 5,500 lbs or more. Smaller hot tubs with two or three seats will likely weigh between 2,000 and 3,000 lbs, while larger hot tubs that can seat six or more people will likely weigh 5,000 lbs or more. No matter how big your hot tub is or how much it weighs, you should ensure that the foundation is solid and can evenly support the weight of your water-filled spa.

How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost to Run?

The monthly operational costs of a hot tub highly depend on a range of factors, which can include:

• Location
• Brand
• Model
• Manufacturer
• Usage
• Settings
• Climate

How Often Should I Clean and Treat My Spa Water?

Every hot tub is different. That means that the specific cleaning instructions can differ from spa to spa. When you purchased your hot tub, you should have been provided with a set of cleaning instructions and care guidelines. If not, simply reach out to the manufacturer or the dealership where you purchased the spa. They should be able to provide you with the proper cleaning guidelines.

As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to check, test and balance the water on a weekly basis.

How Often Should I Replace My Hot Tub Filter?

Your hot tub filter should be replaced on a yearly basis. As for maintenance throughout the year, you should aim to rinse your hot tub filter thoroughly with water from the hose about once every two weeks. This will help to dislodge and remove surface debris caught in the filter. This will minimize any clogs and better allow the water to flow through the filter and the rest of the filtration and circulation system. Once every two months, we recommend soaking your filter in a filter cleaning solution. You should let it soak for a few hours, if not overnight, to really penetrate built-up dirt and debris.

Can You Exercise in a Swim Spa?

Swim spas are built with fitness and recreation in mind. A large open-concept spa area is perfect for water-based exercise, especially with the built-in jet system that can be found at the far end of most swim spas. This jet creates a stream of water so powerful that one can swim, walk or jog against it with ease. The fitness capabilities don’t end there, this area is also great for a variety of floor exercises, from squats and lunges, to reverse crunches, flutter kicks, triceps dips, and more.

DISCLAIMER*

Speak with your physician before starting any fitness regime to ensure your best health. Ensure you are fully hydrated before engaging in any physical activity. If you begin to feel fatigued or light headed, stop your physical activity, have a drink of water and exit the spa if need be.

How Should I Clean My Patio Furniture?

So maybe this question isn’t about hot tubs or swim spas, but it is one that we sure do hear a lot. Not to mention that most backyard spa installations do have an area with patio furniture, geared toward leisure and relaxation.

How you clean your patio furniture will depend on the fabric and material used to build it. Metal and plastic surfaces can often be cleaned with a sponge and soapy water, then rinsed with water from the hose. Fabric surfaces and cushions can be cleaned with a cloth and soapy water, rinsed with the hose, and then laid flat in the sun to dry. For soap, we recommend using a small amount of laundry detergent heavily diluted with water.

Can I Use a Hot Tub While Pregnant?

Although there are stages of pregnancy where it can be safe to use a hot tub, you should always speak with a physician first. Your physician will be able to provide you with information regarding at what stage of pregnancy you may safely use a hot tub, if any. They may advise using the hot tub for a short period of time, lowering the temperature or not using one at all. The health and development of both you and your baby are top priority, which is why we always recommend speaking with your physician, rather than listening to generic advice from the Internet or word of mouth.

Imagine Backyard Living in Scottsdale

Did you find the answer you were looking for? If not, don’t fear, our experts at Imagine Backyard Living are here! Simply give us a call or visit our showroom, one of our backyard specialists would be more than happy to help. We’re located at 15551 Greenway-Hayden Loop in Scottsdale, Arizona.