Hot tub care: how to properly maintain equipment

Hot tub care: 3 life hacks

1 Care of a bathtub with hydromassage jets requires additional time. A small film remaining on the walls of hot and cold water pipes after taking an aromatic bath can become a source for bacteria to multiply. Therefore, once every 2 weeks, it is necessary to completely fill the tank, add some kind of antiseptic to the collected water (detergent is suitable) and turn on the hydromassage system. Then drain everything, collect clean water again and turn on the aeration system for 10 minutes. Drain all the water again.

2 If you do not carry out such operations, after a year or two, a very unpleasant smell will appear from the hydromassage nozzles. In addition, after each session, the hot tub must be rinsed with the inclusion of nozzles with a small pressure of water. This will save you from water residues with used products (shampoo, fragrances, etc.).

3 While taking a bath with a hydromassage, it is undesirable to add bath foam and other similar products to the water. For one simple reason: the foam grows in a huge volume and clogs the nozzles (a precipitate appears in the form of flakes that are washed out of them during the next filling of the tank). Or precisely dose the product, achieving a small foam and completely rinsing the hydromassage jets after each relaxing treatment.

In conclusion, it remains to add that a hot tub is preferable to a regular one. Having spent once a large amount to buy it, you can get peace and relaxation at any time without leaving your home. But health is the last thing worth saving on.

Helpful Care Tips

If you follow the rules for operating an acrylic bath, then there will be no problems with the coating, as well as minor scratches. But unfortunately, it is not always possible to follow the recommendations.

Firstly, pets - it is not always possible to equip pets with a separate washing room. So you have to put up with them in one bathroom, using an acrylic bath as a container for bathing animals and for receiving water procedures for all family members.

Therefore, you should purchase a repair kit or bulk acrylic in advance so that it is at hand at the right time.

The repair kit should be purchased together with the bathtub in the same store.So, consultants will suggest a set that will match the tone of the bathroom - different manufacturers have different degrees of whiteness

Secondly, you need to be extremely careful when cleaning faucets - choose a product that will be safe for the bath. After all, random drops of an aggressive liquid can well spoil the impeccable gloss of acrylic.

Thirdly, be sure to use protective gloves - any, even the most harmless, remedy can harm the delicate skin of the hands.

Fourth, when buying a new acrylic cleaner, it's a good idea to test it on a small piece of tub to make sure it doesn't damage the tub's acrylic layer.

Fifthly, if you need to collect water in a basin or bucket made of metal or plastic, then it is better to put it on the floor and fill it using a shower head.

Sixth, if colored splashes get on the acrylic surface of the bowl, for example, when washing off hair dye, children's gouache or other colorful substance, you should immediately remove them using your arsenal of bath detergents. A stubborn stain will be much more difficult to remove than a fresh one.

Helpful tips will help you avoid many problems and keep the attractiveness of the bath.

When choosing special products, you need to pay attention to whether it is a substance in the form of a cream, gel, oil, suspension or liquid. Moreover, solid inclusions, aggressive acids and solvents should not be included in the composition of the correct acrylic care product.

Another important tip is to choose the type of product that matches the nature of the pollution. So, a gel to combat limescale with stains from rusty water is unlikely to cope.

Hot tub maintenance method with and without cleaning system

Consider how to properly care for a hot tub that does not have a cleaning system. First you need to apply the usual means to the bowl, and then follow these steps:

1. Wait 5-10 minutes until the composition is absorbed into the enameled surface;
2. Rinse off with water;
3. Wipe the bathroom dry using napkins or soft cloths.

For an additional effect, you can rinse the surface several times to completely rid the enamel of foam with chemicals.

To rinse the nozzles, which create an interesting massage effect, you can take a full bath and run the hydromassage system for 10 minutes. After turning off the system, it is necessary to leave it filled for some time, and then drain the water and rinse the enamel under the tap.

Caring for a bathroom with a cleaning system is very simple. All you need to do is pour the product into a special compartment, pour a full bath and press the appropriate button on the control panel.

Within 5-20 minutes, the bathroom will disinfect itself. At the end of this cleaning procedure, it is necessary to completely drain all the liquid, and then pour it again and start the system again so that the enamel is completely cleaned of chemistry and becomes usable.

Overview of Special Tools

There are six effective products that are often used when washing a hot tub.

wonder worker

This is an effective tool used for disinfection and cleaning of bathroom structures. With it, you can clean the coating from the remnants of grease, soap, dirt and even limescale. The main advantage of Wonder Worker is that it is completely safe for almost any type of coating.

To clean a hot tub, fill it with water and add some cleaning fluid. Then the pumps are turned on for half an hour. When they are turned off, the water is lowered, and the structure is wiped with a cloth.

Jacuzzi Bagi

This is one of the most effective means for cleaning pools, massage varieties of baths and jacuzzis. Regular use of Bagi prevents the formation of fungi and bacteria. With this detergent mixture, you can clean both the external and internal surfaces of structures.

The bottom of the jacuzzi is covered with water, after which five milliliters of Bagi are added to it. The mixture is thoroughly stirred, after which it is washed off. Then water is re-collected, with which the washed surface is rinsed.

This is a multifunctional tool that not only eliminates pollution, but also helps to get rid of unpleasant odors. Mellured effectively fights bacteria, fungi and other dangerous microorganisms. Such household chemicals are used to remove plaque from the bowl itself and the pipeline.

Before cleaning, the detergent is mixed with water, after which the bath is wiped with the resulting mixture.

After treatment, the surface must be rinsed with water.

This is an all-purpose household cleaner that is often used to clean hot tubs. With it, you can get rid of mold, fungi and bacteria. Among the advantages of Unicum, it is distinguished that it cleans not only external coatings, but also internal pipes. Also, the advantages include the presence of disinfectant properties, the ability to clean grease and compatibility with most types of coatings.

This detergent is used to remove dirt from cast iron, steel and acrylic coatings. Triton is ideal for removing scale, scale, rust and grease. The composition of the product contains disinfecting components and therefore it is used to disinfect plumbing fixtures.

Triton should be used regularly as it stops the development of mold and mildew.

Edel Weiss

Sometimes it is necessary to clean the hydraulic system. For this, it is better to use Edel Weiss, which does an excellent job of this task. The composition is recommended to be mixed with water during use. At the same time, only 250-300 milliliters of a chemical agent is consumed per hundred liters of water. Edel Weiss must be combined not with cold, but with warm liquid.

How to take a hot tub

Hydromassage is a powerful procedure, especially for those who have health problems., therefore, you should not take it uncontrollably: you should not be in the bath for more than 20 minutes, but it is better to start from 5-10 minutes; the optimum water temperature should be around 38°C - do not exceed it. In case of diseases of the heart and blood vessels, it is better to first get advice from a specialist, and only then start taking hot tubs.

If you have not taken a hot tub yourself before, then you need to learn how to do it.. We have already determined the temperature and time, and it is necessary to fill the bath so that the water completely covers the side nozzles. In order to control the procedure, there are special buttons and a regulator on the top panel: with their help, you can regulate not only the water temperature and massage mode, but also saturate the jets with air.The most modern models today are equipped with touch panels and remote controls - you can program the entire hydromassage session, and then just relax and allow yourself to become healthier and more beautiful.

When you feel that you have had enough massage, turn off the massage system by pressing the button; when you finish taking a bath, the water must be drained, but first turn the hydromassage system on and off several times - literally 3-5 seconds each, so that the hoses and the pump can completely free themselves from water.

Alternatives

The mentality often tells our compatriots that you can do it yourself ... Is this possible in the case of a jacuzzi? Now let's figure it out.

Bathtub with hydromassage do it yourself

When you have everything you need on hand, you can get down to business. First you need to drill holes for the nozzles, then you need to install them and connect pumps, filters, pipes, etc.

It is important to seal everything well. After everything is assembled, a test drive of the system is carried out

It is extremely important that there are no leaks, because the design will simultaneously work with both electric current and water. If everything is functioning normally, then you can install the structure.

In general, as practice and the simplest calculation of the cost of parts show, this approach is impractical and unreasonably expensive. It will be more profitable and easier to purchase a finished product. But here the choice is for everyone.

Alternative number 2 - budget

There are two more "light" options for those who want to join those who know what hydromassage is:

1. Mini bath.Yes, you can’t sit completely in such a container, but after a busy day, a foot massage with jets of water and air is a great option.
2. Mat. This miracle device is used in the bath. It is attached with suction cups to the bottom of the container. The system itself is equipped with a compressor, small holes such as nozzles, and a control panel. Mats can have options such as ozonation and air heating.

Video with an overview of the mat for creating a hydromassage function in a conventional bath:

Care of bowls made of different materials

The choice of cleaning method and the option of using disinfectants for treatment largely depends on the material from which the hot tub bowl is made.

The main requirement that should be strictly observed when using hydromassage sanitary ware: take a bath - wash it

If you do not rinse the bath immediately after taking water procedures, the next time it will be unpleasant to sit in a bowl with dried deposits and dirty walls.

Maintenance of acrylic bathtubs

Bathtubs with acrylic bowls occupy a leading position in the popularity rating. They are comfortable, lightweight and perfectly withstand mechanical stress. But the inorganic rubber polymer is very sensitive to all sorts of damage.

Therefore, when caring for an acrylic surface, it is unacceptable to use metal brushes and other hard materials that leave micro-scratches on it, which gradually turn into microcracks under the action of water.

Acrylic baths are contraindicated in detergents containing organic solvents, formaldehyde and aggressive acids.

Detergents containing acetone and other types of solvents are also not suitable for the care of acrylic.Do not use abrasive cleaners. They damage and thin coatings.

It is best to use cream and gel-like formulations for this purpose, which have a gentle effect. But even they should be used no more than once a week.

To support acrylic bath surface clean and tidy, it is enough to rinse the tank with water every time after completion of water procedures and wipe it with a moisture-absorbing cloth

If scratches still form on the acrylic surface, you can correct the situation by using liquid acrylic. It is applied to the place of damage and polished with a polish until the surface becomes uniform with the rest of the coating.

To eliminate scratches, you can also use special pencils such as "FixltPro" and polishing pastes. But keep in mind that these tools are effective only on fresh scratches.

For more useful information about the best products for the care of acrylic sanitary ware, we recommend that you look here.

Steel and cast iron bathtubs

The enamel coating of steel and cast iron baths allows the use for cleaning compositions based on abrasive substances. But such cleaning can have a detrimental effect on the condition of the nozzles.

The only exceptions are those models in which the nozzle valves are closed, which eliminates clogging of the holes during cleaning.

Manufacturers recommend the use of foam and gel formulations that are not able to corrode the coating and harm the equipment.

With a careless attitude to plumbing, scratches and chips can form on the enamel coating.In addition to the fact that they spoil the appearance, they are also a threat to plumbing in general. In a humid environment, colonies of bacteria can form inside the cracks.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the best safe cleaners for cast iron bowls that will not damage the enamel.

You can eliminate the defect by restoring the enamel on the damaged area. Modern enamel compositions plus the use of a pouring technique make it possible to restore coatings only at the site of damage.

With extensive chips, the surface is repaired by sealing first with a coarse-dispersion, and then with a fine-dispersion putty. Only after that the polished area is covered with enamel and polished.

Enamel paint or aerosol is applied in 2-3 layers only on a thoroughly degreased surface, maintaining an interval between them until the composition is completely hardened.

After the procedure is completed, the bathtub coating acquires its original appearance.

Does your bathtub have numerous chips and scratches? We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the methods of restoring a cast iron bath.

Jacuzzi options

The equipment of the bathtub with hydromassage is varied: there are bathtubsin which the acid-base balance of water changes; with additional air massage; with water heating and its cleaning system; with lighting and other amenities - the selection today is large, and it is quite difficult to decide without experience.

In many baths, there is the possibility of supplying ozone - it disinfects and anesthetizes; there are bathtubs with ultrasonic atomizers - their healing effect is many times stronger than that of ordinary whirlpools.Ultrasound waves propagate perfectly in water, colorful with air, and provide an amazing effect on the entire body: in those parts of the body that they fall on, cells begin to contract and straighten at a speed that is usually impossible to imagine - up to 3 million times per second, however, scientists claim that this is so. Of course, such baths cost a lot - about 500 thousand rubles and even more, but there is something to strive for.

Spray devices in the bathroom are placed as needed: everything is designed for the fact that the water jets will fall on the lower back, sides, and other parts of the body that need massage, but if desired, they can be rotated. However, it is not necessary to direct the water jet at the body at a right angle - this will not increase blood circulation, but on the contrary, it will slow down, but we do not need this at all.

When choosing a hot tub, look at its strength. Today there is a new material - methacryl, a very technologically advanced plastic - it is easy to make baths of various combinations from it; it is very attractive, resistant to impacts, safe and pleasant to the touch - the water in this bath does not freeze quickly.

If the jacuzzi is in a private house

Ideally, treatment should be done both after each bath and once a month. If the jacuzzi is installed in a house or apartment, then after completing the procedures, the water must be drained, the bowl rinsed with a shower and wiped with a dry cloth. For more global care, specialized tools are required.

BWT Pool Cleaning Solutions:

Compact filter unit

Chemistry for swimming pools

To get the consultation

Chemistry for a hot tub is designed to cope with the following tasks:

• Perform general disinfection.
• Eliminate dirt from the filters, as water is not supplied through them, and they can accumulate dirt. Prolonged ignoring of processing will lead to the fact that bacteria, fungi and microorganisms will multiply inside. In addition, the impurities contained in the water can disable the "technical stuffing" of the jacuzzi.
• To clean the bath from visible dirt, giving it a well-groomed and aesthetic appearance.

In order for the chemicals for the hot tub to cope with all the tasks, you must first fill the tub with water. The fluid level must be above all holes. Then you need to place a cleaning agent in the tank, turn on the pumps and leave them to work. The duration of the treatment is indicated on the packaging of the selected whirlpool cleaning chemicals. After the water must be drained and filled the bath to the same level again. Again, let the filters work a little. This is done so that the remnants of the product are completely washed out of them. The apogee of the treatment is draining the water and wiping the jacuzzi with a soft cloth.

In addition to treating the jacuzzi with chemicals, it is advisable to install special softening filters. They are designed for home use and are great for hard water. If we consider these devices as part of the care of the jacuzzi, then such filters will allow the nozzles not to clog. This guarantees high throughput of all elements and no expenses for their replacement. The price of jacuzzi jets is high, but it is difficult to find suitable accessories. Therefore, it is not advisable to save on water softening.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that the hot tub is not a medical device, it also has a number of contraindications.According to the criteria, they can be divided into external and internal, related to the state of health of the body. External include any skin condition that has a clear manifestation.

External contraindications:

• Wounds, cracks, inflammations and bloody calluses;
• Eczema;
• Allergy, rashes of unknown origin;
• ulcers;
• Fungal diseases.

There are more than 70,000 nerve endings, 5 active zones and 29 reflex points on the human feet that are responsible for communication with internal organs and systems.

Because of this, you should be more careful when using the bath in the presence of any serious diseases so as not to aggravate them. Possible internal contraindications:

Possible internal contraindications:

• Varicose veins, thrombosis;
• Joint pain;
• Oncology;
• Cardiovascular diseases;
• kidney failure;
• Diabetes;
• High fever with a cold;
• Pregnancy.

For any of the above conditions, you should consider the health risks and consult your doctor first.

If during the use of the device any unpleasant burning sensations, headaches or dizziness, weakness are observed, it is better to stop the procedure and observe the reaction during repeated uses.

Learning how to care for a hot tub

In the manufacture of bathtubs with hydromassage, manufacturers use acrylic. This material is quite strong and durable, if you properly and competently take care of it. Therefore, detergents must be chosen with great care:

• When cleaning an acrylic hot tub, do not use hard scouring pads or iron brushes. Such a bath is contraindicated in detergents that contain acid, formaldehyde or organic solvents;
• Do not use abrasive cleaners as they will damage the finish and over time you will see micro scratches all over the tub surface. There are special detergents for hot tubs;
• After the end of the procedure, the whirlpool bath should be thoroughly rinsed with clean running water, and then wiped dry. For this, a microfiber flap is suitable, which will carefully absorb moisture and leave no streaks on the surface.

As noted earlier, whirlpool baths require more thorough disinfection than conventional ones. If these requirements are neglected, then dirt will gradually accumulate in the nozzles, which will become an excellent breeding ground for all kinds of pathogenic bacteria. The appearance of bacteria will be the impetus for the appearance of an unpleasant odor, which will be very difficult to get rid of.

If a self-cleaning system is installed in the hot tub, the disinfection process will take place quickly and without your participation. To do this, it will be enough to place a special agent in the cuvette and start the automatic mode.

If you cannot boast of an “independent” bathroom, then we will carry out the cleaning in stages:

• First, fill the tub with water. The water level should be above the nozzles, and the temperature should be about 20 degrees plus;
• Then we pour a special agent into the water. If this is not available, you can use a seven percent solution of bleach. We will need about 1.5 liters of such a solution;
• Let's start the hydromassage system, and let it work for 10 minutes, after which we turn it off and drain the water;
• Let's let the water run again, but without adding cleaning agents, and run the hydromassage system for a few minutes. This will give us the opportunity to wash the detergent from the nozzles;
• Drain and rinse the tub with running water.

If the maintenance of the hot tub has been irregular, then this can lead to the deposition and build-up of water scale. You can fix the situation as follows:

• Fill the bath with water above the level of the nozzles;
• Let's prepare one and a half liters of a seven percent solution of citric acid, or take a ready-made remedy for removing water stones;
• Pour into water, turn on the system, and let it work for 5-10 minutes;
• Leave the water in the bathroom for 12 hours, then drain;
• We fill it again with clean water, start the system, drain the water and rinse it with running water.

Whirlpool bath

Most often, hot tubs are made of acrylic (very rarely - cast iron). Such bathtubs can be absolutely any shapes and sizes - large, medium, small, square, round, etc. In the walls of the bath there are special holes - nozzles, which provide a massage effect.

Water massage is used for the treatment and prevention of certain diseases. Water jets act on the soft tissues of the body and promote relaxation.

Previously, hot tubs could only be seen in sanatoriums, health centers or spas. Today, you can buy such a bath at any major plumbing store.

There are 3 types of water massage:

1. Hydromassage - jets of water directed under pressure hit the human body from nozzles.
2. Aeromassage - large or small air bubbles rise from the holes in the bottom of the bath.
3. Turbomassage is a combined type of water massage, which includes exposure to both water and air.

Hydromassage jets are located in those parts of the jacuzzi where the shoulders, back, hips, feet of a person are located. Air massages are usually located at the bottom - under the buttocks and hips.

A bit of history

The hot tubs, the renovation of which will be highlighted in this article, date back to 1955. It was then that Roy Jacuzzi first showed the world his invention. The Jacuzzi family had a small family business that produced water pumps. After Roy's nephew Stefano began to suffer from arthritis, the inventor came up with the idea to combine a bathtub and a water pump. This design later became the progenitor of hot tubs. By the way, such procedures helped Stefano get rid of the manifestations of arthritis that had tormented him for several years.

For the first time, hot tubs were brought to us back in Soviet times. And since they were produced under the Italian brand "Jacuzzi", in honor of the inventor, this name was firmly entrenched behind all whirlpool baths.

Swimming safely

Headrest, footrest, handles – all this will make the hydromassage comfortable and safe, ensure the correct position of the body and complete relaxation. Often, a hot tub is immediately equipped with these devices (and some others - lighting, foot massager, side mixer, etc.). If they have to be bought in addition, the purchase price can increase by 15-30%. Non slip steps - this is not just a nice addition, but a necessity, since the jacuzzi is deeper and wider than a regular bathtub. Climbing into the font should be easy, convenient and absolutely safe for you and your loved ones.Acrylic steps are considered the best option.

Simple rules for competent care

A hot tub is not as demanding and whimsical as it might seem at first glance.

She just needs proper and timely care, which consists in following five simple rules:

1. Before installing the equipment, carefully study the operating characteristics of the equipment. For some models, a cold water pipe should be provided for the installation of a solenoid valve. Most models require the installation of a water pre-filter. To ensure free access for preventive measures, consider in advance a convenient location for plumbing.
2. If you want to extend the "life" of the nozzles, use water filters that will trap small particles that contaminate the holes. Switch on the hydromassage system only if the jets are completely covered with water. Otherwise, the unit's motor may burn out.
3. When taking a session, do not use oils, lotions and foaming agents. They can clog the hydromassage system, forming sediment in the pipes. When taking water procedures, be guided by the rule "first we enjoy the hydromassage, then we get the foamy pleasure."
4. When bathing, use only sea salt and those additives that have a corresponding mark on the possibility of using with hydromassage systems.
5. Avoid getting any varnishes on the surface of the bath (even for hair).

If, due to hard water, the whirlpool system quickly becomes dirty, it is worth considering the option of installing devices to soften it.

By adhering to the simple rules given in our article, you can not only maintain a presentable appearance of plumbing, but also extend the life of the equipment.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Useful care tips in the video:

The video will tell you how to properly care for acrylic bathrooms:

Testing folk remedies for plaque and rust spots in the video:

Having learned more about the features of your favorite acrylic bath, you can safely choose the most appropriate option for caring for its surface.

It is important to choose “soft” and effective means that can master the removal of all kinds of contaminants. Moreover, timely maintenance and cleaning will help maintain the attractiveness of the product for the next 10 years.

Tell us what products and methods you use in the care of an acrylic bath. Share useful information with readers or ask questions that interest you. The comment box is located below.