Your children spend as much time as possible laughing and playing in your new hot tub. As you watch the excitement in their eyes every time they get in the water, you are reminded of one of the reasons you were willing to make this investment. And it is an investment of time, energy and finances.

Then your children get out of the hot tub and you notice their skin is becoming more dry and irritated with each exposure to the chlorine/bromine tablets you have floating around in the water. That doesn’t surprise you. No matter how often you remind them not to touch the chemical container that bobs on the surface of the water, they can’t seem to resist playing with the floating dispenser.

In a time where consumers are more aware than ever about the dangers of chemical exposure, it is essential for companies to find a way to protect their customers and, by extension, to protect the investments their clients have made. If we are reacting poorly to the water quality in our hot tubs or are finding it difficult to maintain sufficient sanitizer levels in the water then we become disillusioned with the product and we will not use it as often as we had intended to.

 Jacuzzi® has a new, reliable and effective solution to all of your concerns!

The Clearray™ Water Purification System not only saves money and time by reducing the amount of sanitizer required to maintain safe and effective levels in hot tubs, but it also results in dramatically decreased eye and skin irritation levels for the bathers.

Clearray™ is a water purification lighting apparatus, which utilizes ultra violet light and is designed for use in spas. This new system enables consumers to sanitize the water in their hot tubs using up to 52% fewer chemicals. Clearray™ is plumbed directly into the body of the hot tub after the heater. Water flows into the stainless steel tank, exposing the water to optimum Germicidal UV-C rays, immediately treating and eliminating 99.9% of waterborne pathogens without harmful odours or by-products.

Without needing to use an ozone function with a Clearray™ system in place, you save considerable financial resources in the cost of damage to your cover and the need to replace a cover due to chemical burns.

 Jacuzzi® is so excited and confident about how effective the Clearray™ system is that they just can’t wait to have all hot tub owners learn more about it.  This new solution is able to be installed easily in any and all makes of hot tubs and their professionally trained service technicians are eager to add Clearray™ to your hot tub.

To convert your existing hot tub to the new Clearray™ Water Purification System or to learn about how or where you can buy a new Jacuzzi® hot tub with Clearray™ already in place, visit www.jacuzziontario.com

There is nothing like a good, long soak in a hot tub to help you wind down after a busy day. Whether you choose to hut tub alone or with friends, the soothing warm water and body massaging jets will have you in a state of bliss. If you’re a newcomer to the world of hot tubbing, we’ve got some DOs and DON’Ts for you to follow! Here are some ways you and your guests can have an enjoyable hot tub experience.

DO…

• Bring your own towel (if the hot tub isn’t your own). This will make life easier for your host!
• Make sure that your bathing suit is rinsed thoroughly before getting in the tub. Residue from laundry detergent can create unwanted foaminess.
• Rinse off any lotions or deodorant you may be wearing before entering the hot tub to help keep the water clean.
• Wipe your feet before entering the hot tub.
• Use the stair step entrance for your safety.
• Thoroughly dry yourself when leaving the hot tub. Wet feet can cause slips and falls!
• Cover your hot tub with your hot tub cover when it’s not in use. This will protect the inside of your hot tub from dirt, debris, or other damage.

DON’T…

• Treat your hot tub like a pool. No diving, cannonballs, or any other monkey business allowed!
• Wear clothing in the hot tub. Shirts, shorts, and other clothing items can make a bubbly mess when the jets are turned on!
• Eat messy snacks, like chips and dip. Fruit is always a good option (and it’s healthy too!)
• Let your pets go in the hot tub. This is dangerous for your pet and can affect the quality of the water in your tub.
• Drink alcohol while you’re in the hot tub. Hot water is a stimulant, while alcohol is a depressant. Combining the two is not a good idea! Drink water instead.
• Go into a hot tub if you have any open sores or cuts.
• Allow your children to go in the hot tub unsupervised.
• Hog all the jets! Be considerate of the other people in the tub with you.

By following these hot tub DO’s and DON’Ts, you’ll be able to feel comfortable in the spa and enjoy it! If you have questions about hot tubs, visit us online at http://www.jacuzziontario.com/ or talk with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you have any more hot tub DO’s and DON’Ts? Share them with us!

Having some trouble getting some shut eye? You’re not alone. About 25 per cent of Canadians will have a significant sleep disorder in their lifetime. Sleep clinics can now recognize and treat over 85 different sleep disorders. A sleep disorder is more than just a night of restlessness; they can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to years. Thankfully, there are a number of options that you can try to help with your sleep deprivation – whether it’s a mild sleep disorder or even just a night of restlessness. Hot tubs have been established as tools for relaxation and are known to help those with sleeping issues.

As noted in the scientific journal Sleep, relaxing in hot water approximately 90 minutes before going to bed can help individuals suffering from a sleep disorder fall into a deeper, more restful sleep. Research has shown that hot tubs specifically have improved the quality of sleep for many of these individuals. Having your own hot tub can offer you these health benefits, among many others, in the comfort and convenience of your own home.

At a recommended temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit, hot tubbing is now well established as not only a promoter of sleep, but also of relaxation, stress-relief and general mind and body wellness. Often times, sore muscles and joints can be the cause of sleep disturbances. Relaxing in a hot tub can provide joints and muscles with both soothing massage and weightlessness, which may help to promote a more restful sleep. In addition, the heat of the hot tub water itself acts as a sort of tranquilizer, slowing both internal organs and the production of stress hormones in your body. Each of these feel-good factors will help to ensure that you’re preparing your body for a healthy, sound rest.

The increase in circulation in your body as a result of soaking in hot water has a number of benefits that directly relate to your ability to sleep.  The increase in blood flow brings more oxygen to your muscles and your extremities and mimics the reaction your body has when you are exercising.  It is little wonder why hot tubs help you to sleep better since they have a similar physiological reaction as exercising does on the body – not to mention the benefit of reduced mental stress on sleeping habits!

The evidence is piled high: people who relax in a hot tub before bed report better sleep. They fall asleep faster, sleep more soundly and are able to sleep for longer periods throughout the night without waking.  So the next time you’re feeling restless? Try hitting the hot tub before the pillow.

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I often hear my clients speaking about hues and colour apparent in the hot tub water, which can relate to the water quality in the hot tub. This blog post will discuss some of the more common occurrences, potential causes of coloured water, and how to rectify the situation.

Green water:

Green water is normally caused by two things and is likely to be a result of: 1) Not enough sanitizer or 2) too much sanitizer.  At first signs the water may appear to have a slightly green hue but still be relatively clear.  This is a precursor to a more prevalent green water situation that is surely right around the corner unless you make corrections to the water.  If you notice that your water is beginning to look green, and you can not determine with your test strips what the problem may be; bring your water into a water lab for testing right away before the problem gets worse.  Green water, whether from too much or too little sanitizer is a pretty clear indication that you should not use the hot tub.  Too much sanitizer can result in dry and itchy skin, red eyes and possible coughing.  Green water from a lack on sanitizer in the water is much more serious and can have some very serious health ramifications ranging from follicular dermatitis to legionnaires disease in the most extreme of cases.  Use your test strips to check the sanitizer levels in your hot tub to see if you have too much or too little sanitizer.  It’s important to pay close attention to these tests, but note that if you have too much sanitizer in the hot tub water – it can actually bleach your test strips giving the appearance that you need to add more sanitizer.  When in doubt have your water professionally tested!

Cloudy Water:

Not exactly a colour, but cloudy water is extremely common in hot tubs.  This is often a precursor to green water and a check of your sanitizer levels should point out any potential problems.  Cloudy water can also be a result of plugged or dirty filters, as well as pH being too far outside of the ideal range.  As with any water condition, even once you have fixed the balance in the water it may take 1-3 days for the water to clear up completely. Be sure to maintain the water within the ideal range during these periods.

Yellow Water:

Yellow water is uncommon. If you have just filled your tub and the water is yellow, the water supply that you are using is not pure and you should use a pre-filter the future when filling your hot tub from this supply.  If the water in your spa is not new, but a yellow water condition suddenly occurs, this is likely due to the water being very acidic (low pH).  This could be a result of adjusting the pH down when the alkalinity in the spa is at zero.  With the alkalinity out of the ideal range then you can have large and wild variations in your pH as well as unpredictable results when adjusting the water.  Always be sure to adjust the alkalinity first when balancing your hot tub water.

Orange / Red Water:

Orange or red water is a result of copper or iron in the water supply.  If you have this problem after filling your hot tub, use a charcoal pre-filter in the future when filling as this will remove most of these contaminants from the water.  If you have orange or red water in the hot tub, the only product that can get rid of it is a stain and scale remover which is specifically designed to remove metal content from the water.  This product will also help to remove red or orange scum lines that can form in the hot tub as a result of the metal content in the water.

Need to book a Service Appointment?  Or email us with any questions you may have.

Remember when sitting in a hot tub was relaxation enough? Well, it still can be – but thanks to the wonder of technology, there are so many amazing hot tub add-ons that can take your relaxation to a higher level of bliss.

Every year, spa industry professionals are creating new ways for all of us to enjoy our hot tubs more. Build in stereo systems; iPod docking stations and wireless/waterproof TV’s are just a few of the add-ons available for your hot tub.

Want your hot tub to be perfection? Here are some hot tub accessories that can make it happen:

Hot tub iPod Docking Station: Hot tubs that are iPod compatible are great for any music lover. It allows you to conveniently listen to any song you wish with the tap of a button. Its unique design protects your iPod from getting wet and eliminates the risk of accidentally dropping it while in the tub.

Wireless/Waterproof TV: Who wouldn’t want to watch the big game in a hot tub? It may even persuade your wife to watch it with you. With a wireless TV for your hot tub, you can relax the night away while catching up on your favourite shows.

Aromatherapy: This is a great hot tub add-on that opens your mind and the senses. Imagine your stress melting away while drawing in the sweet scents of vanilla, cinnamon, peppermint, jasmine and lilac. Aromatherapy has been known to decrease stress levels by calming the mind and body.

Think about what your definition of ultimate relaxation is. Is it sitting in a quiet room listening to your favourite music? Watching your favourite comedy show? Or reflecting in quiet meditation?

At the end of the day, we want you to be able to sit in your hot tub, breathe deeply and say to yourself “Now THIS is relaxing!”

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Where do bacteria lie? Right in your hot tub’s plumbing lines.

The vast majority of bacteria that exists in a hot tub is not in the water itself, nor is it attached to the shell.  Almost all of the bacteria in a hot tub lives within the plumbing lines protected in a layer of bio film.  This bio film both feeds the bacteria as well as providing mechanical protection from the water that streams through the lines while the jets are on.

Using a line flush in between water changes is required for safe operation for all spa owners.  Why you ask? Because if you fill your hot tub with fresh water and DON’T flush the lines – you will end up transferring most of the bacteria from the old water right into the new water. I would say at least half of all spa owners don’t use a line flush before draining the water from their hot tub.

Any experienced service technician has seen what a plumbing line looks like that hasn’t had line flushes. Imagine seeing a layer of brown/gray slime coating the entire inside of the pipes. Sounds pretty disgusting huh? This is called biofilm, a concentrated bacteria that gets removed during the flushing process. If you actually saw biofilm in your hot tub pipes, trust me – you’d want to get rid of it.

So how does a line flush get rid of the gross stuff? All you need to do is add it directly to the old and dirty spa water. Run all the jets on high speed for between 2 – 4 hours. Following this drain the hot tub as you normally would and refill it with clean, fresh water.

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Did you know that not taking care of your hot tub correctly can make you sick? Many customers I talk with on a daily basis aren’t aware of this fact. Balancing water chemistry properly not only helps to make your hot tub run efficiently and look good – but it can also protect you and who’s ever in the hot tub with you, from getting sick.

Now I know we discuss this a lot in the Hot Tub Guy Blog, but balancing water chemistry properly is very important when owning a hot tub. It’s one of the most important topics for spa owners and also one of the most important factors in terms of your health and safety.

Many hot tub owners sometimes forget just how important it is to know the facts about water chemistry. So here are a couple “reminders” for every hot tub lover.

Why do you NEED to balance hot tub water?

The reason that we balance hot tub water is more than just for bather comfort or optimal water clarity.  The primary concern with a hot tub is that it has the potential to be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Hot tubs are warm, dark and damp. Combine that with bacteria and you’ve got yourself a 1500 litre petri dish. Ewww.

The balancing of pH, calcium hardness and total alkalinity is required to ensure bather comfort and maximum effectiveness of any hot tub chemicals used in your hot tub.  The sanitizer, chlorine or bromine, is required to minimize bacteria. The presence of sanitizer in the water ensures that bacteria levels remain as low as possible. Without a sanitizing agent in the water the bacteria will grow exponentially. In addition to this, the bacteria in the tub can become stronger and more dangerous in time. The end result is that a body of water left untreated by sanitizers can develop bacteria strong enough to cause serious medical and health related problems.

Legionella bacteria is one of the scariest bacteria’s because it’s the direct cause of a respiratory illness called legionnaires disease. I’m not saying this to scare hot tub owners or for you to live in fear of your hot tub water. Having sanitizer in the water will prevent bacteria like legionella from developing.

Sometimes I speak with hot tub owners who tell me they NEVER drain the hot tub and refill it with fresh water. There are people out there who choose not to chemically treat or test their hot tub water. These are two examples you should NOT follow! Being knowledgeable about water chemistry and keeping good hot tub habits will ensure your hot tub is always safe to use.

Just remember, hot tubs are supposed to be relaxing! Don’t worry if you miss a dose of sanitizer or if your chemical levels aren’t perfect. Dangerous bacteria will only usually develop after long term neglect and lack of sanitizer in the water. If the hot tub has been untreated for a significant length of time, be sure to drain the tub completely. Take good care of your hot tub and it will take good care of you

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When chlorine (or bromine) kills a piece of bacteria in a hot tub it does not dissipate. As part of this process sanitizer converts to a chloramine (which is basically used up sanitizer). When you add new sanitizer to your hot tub, it kills the bacteria and then turns dormant to a chloramine again. After a while, you’ll have a bunch of used up sanitizer that isn’t doing very much for disinfecting your hot tub water. That’s why it’s so important to change your hot tub water periodically.

So how can an Ozone System help? Ozone systems play an interesting role in the lifecycle of sanitizer. In addition to killing bacteria through oxidization, ozone systems re-activate chloramines turning them back into sanitizer. It “breathes life” into your old sanitizer, making it good as new. This is most especially true for bromine systems.

A little history on how ozone systems have changed

The first ozone systems were based from a UV treated light bulb that would generate a tiny amount of ozone in the water. The problem with these ozone systems is that the amount of ozone that was made was too little to notice a substantial improvement in the water. Nowadays, new ozone systems are much closer to Mother Nature’s process, using lightning to create ozone. These ozone systems create up to 50-100 times more ozone than older UV lamp systems.

The Benefits of having an Ozone System

Ozone systems are the best way to reduce your overall exposure to harsh hot tub chemical sanitizers. Instead of adding more sanitizers (chlorine or bromine) to the water, you can re-use sanitizer that is already in the water by treating it with oxygen.

Ozone is more effective when it’s been in contact with water for a long time. Using a mixing chamber which prolongs contact with the water will dramatically increase the effectiveness of an ozone system. Whether you are looking for a new hot tub with ozone, or you are looking to add ozone to an existing system, be sure to find a salesperson who understands how ozone works and the different types of ozone systems available.

All employees of Jacuzzi Ontario are trained to understand in depth how ozone systems work. We have access to the most advanced ozone injection systems on the market for hot tubs. If reducing chemical exposure is important to you, then you might want to look into adding ozone to your hot tub. It could be a breath of fresh air for your hot tub.

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One of the most commonly encountered hot tub water chemistry problems that spa owners have is cloudy water. Cloudy water in a  hot tub can happen for many different reasons but these are some of the most common causes:

Bromine in Hot Tubs

Hot tubs that use bromine instead of chlorine tend to be not quite as clear even when proper water balance levels exist.  This is a result of the bromine itself.  Most people use bromine over chlorine in spas because it’s more user friendly than chlorine.  When pH and alkalinity levels are out of range, chlorine can become inactive even if there is enough chlorine in the water.  Bromine will remain active when the pH and alkalinity are out of range which makes it the easier choice for hot tub owners; even if the water isn’t as clear looking as chlorine hot tubs.

Low Sanitizer Levels

If the sanitizer level in the water drops to zero then bacteria begins to develop right away.  The hot, damp and dark conditions in a hot tub provide the perfect conditions for bacteria to flourish.  The sanitizer, chlorine or bromine, in the hot tub prevents bacteria levels from building.  If you have cloudy water in your hot tub the first thing you should check for is proper sanitizer levels.  If there is zero, or less than 1ppm of sanitizer in the spa this will likely be the cause for the cloudy water.

Plugged or Dirty Filters

There are two kinds of hot tub filters – pleated reusable filters and also disposable style filters.  The pleated style filter medium is generally 30 microns in size, where the disposable style is generally one micron.  Pleated filters require regular cleaning, which includes hosing off the filter every two weeks or so.  They also need to be soaked overnight in a filter cleaning solution every two months.  Disposable filters usually last about 3-5 months before a replacement is needed.  The cleaning and replacement of your hot tub filters is based on a general guideline.  If you use your hot tub often, the filter will require more attention.

Salt & Chemical Levels

Salt from salt water systems can make water cloudy for a few days after it’s added to the water.  This is also true for sodium based hot tub chemicals like aqua finesse or scale prevention chemicals.  High pH, high alkalinity or high sanitizer levels can also cause cloudy water.

If you have cloudy water in your hot tub it is a good idea to have your water tested with a digital testing lab. It’s more precise than test strips. Always remember to clean or replace your filter to clear or prevent cloudy water.

How often do you get cloudy water in your hot tub?

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