jillmc

Where else can I ask so many smart, honest people than this forum? 😁

We are going to look into a spa/hot tub for our backyard. Arthritis is becoming an issue, and we hope this will help.

Total novices. We are going to visit a large spa/pool showroom. Any specific questions we should ask based on your recent experiences? We live in the country and have a well, so filling and refilling will require trucked-in water. We had a small above ground pool for the grands, and it was not a problem to get it filled each summer, and we kept up with the chemicals easily. We live in central Ohio, so winters are cold and icy. Will build a structure with roof over tub.
We do leave for 6-8 weeks in the winter....will this be a problem?

Thanks for any thoughts!

Up North

We live in the country and why do you have to truck in water? we have a well and fill it from that without a problem I love it in the winter not so much in the summer if it is hot out so we don't use it most of the summer. No problem keeping it maintained our small old hot tub was on a covered porch but this one is on the back deck in the open the wind is an issue sometimes otherwise it is not covered.

Tartan

If you suffer from high blood pressure, a hot tub will raise your pressure. As for leaving in the winter, I think you would either need to drain it and insulate the pipes and pump or leave it heated so the pipes don’t freeze?

Iceblossom

There are many spas kept outdoors and it shouldn't be an issue, just make sure you communicate that with the sales person. I would think if you had an above ground pool with a frame (as opposed to inflatable/stand up size) you wouldn't have any problems keeping the tub filled. There may be issues dealing with the surface/support pad for your locale, as well as water supply (even if delivered, can it fit) and electricity/power unless you are planning something like a Snorkel stove (submerged wood burning option). Unless it is right outside the house while building a structure I would try to include some degree of an outside shower, the cleaner you are before getting into the tub the longer you can keep it going with chemicals and basic maintenance. Your dealer should be able to tell you how to prep for your winter absences.

I would say the biggest thing to look for is the ease of getting in and out. I know when I was younger I could hoist myself up and over and out of things but these days I'm looking for steps or at least comfortable secure ladders. People may be embarrassed by checking out toilets and bathtubs but make sure you get something that will work for you by getting into it before you buy.

Watson

This is timely!
We are selling our above ground pool and getting a hot tub this Fall, as well.
Some of the considerations have been the electrical box, running the electrical underground a few feet so no one trips on it (in our particular situation, yours may be different), having a concrete pad poured, having to take out part of our fence to get it delivered, deciding which way the wind blows in the winter so we know which way to face the holder for the lid so it breaks the wind, what kind of lid holder to get, what kind of lid to get, decking and where to get the tub itself...the list goes on.
We found the least expensive place was Home Depot (We live in Canada, in the US may be different), as the actual spa places prices were crazy however, if you need the whole package with installation then you may have to go that way. My husband is going to do most of it himself.
There is a really cool lid that raises up hydraulically to create a roof and then lowers to create a sealed cover but it is dreadfully expensive. We will likely just get one of the lids that are insulated and fold back into a holder behind the tub during use.
I plan to use it in the Summer just to float in...the one we are looking at is big enough for one person to do that.
I'll ask my husband about your question re: leaving it while you go on vacation.

Watson

Annaquilts

Hoping to down scale from a very large deluxe spa, 2 motors 10 people, to a smaller 2 or 4 people. I want less jets and fancy stuff as it all will need replacing. My main thing is depth and low cost to maintain it heated. Electric is very pricey. Put it as close as possible to your main bedroom or area you will change. the further from the house the less you use it in my experience. Right now mine is by the pool and a bit further from the main bedroom with outside excit doors. As far as I am concerned, I do not care about jets. As for getting in and out, I am a big proponent on sitting on the edge and swinging my legs in. I feel it too hard and dangerous to have it at ground level and step in or climb up and step in. As a previous poster mentioned, cold wind can be a deterent to using it so you want to be sheltered from that. You also want this-Spa ozone is the most powerful oxidizer and disinfectant that can be safely used in spas. It kills all known bacteria, viruses, yeasts and a lot of other things you don't want to know about. 1. Ozone offers an alternative to heavy doses of traditional chemicals such as bromine and chlorine. We are on the fence redoing ours, have done it previously, or buying a much smaller used one and fixing it. Much cheaper then buying new.

jillmc

Up North-you are right....we can probably fill this using our well. The pool held several 1000’s gallons of water...pretty sure a hot tub won’t require that much, now that I think about it!

Tartan- no blood pressure issues. We both totally enjoy the hot tub when we go south in the winter.

Ice Blossom-Good point about ease of entry. We will definitely try out different options.

Watson-we are still trying to decide on location. We may enlarge part of our covered back porch or place it on the paver patio.
We do not have neighbors close by on any side, so that’s not so much an issue. The west wind does blow though...will look at cover options. I did read that a “roof” isn’t always necessary, that the warm water keeps the snow and ice On the cover from becoming an issue. We will need to have 220v Electric lines run. We have done so many projects around the house, and Hubbie had extensive shoulder surgery several weeks ago, so I think this may be a treat and we will have it installed. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Annaquilts-agree- I do not want it ground level. We are in the country, and I can only imagine the wildlife that might end up sitting on the warm cover when it gets cold out! Haha.

Thanks all....so much to think about. Sometimes I wish I was one of those people who just went to the store and said how soon can you deliver a hot tub and get it up and running?!

toverly

Back Jets. I know from my indoor tub with jets, that back jets are so important. Without carefully placed jets, the water just swirls. No relief for a tired back after a day of quilting.

misspriss

Have you checked out the walk- in- tubs? I have one and really like it.

rjwilder

We had a hot tub in Michigan, the snow and ice did melt most of the time but there were a few times we had to shovel it off. The weight of the snow did bend the coved inward a little bit. Make sure the electrician puts a GFI on when he runs the 220V. Also check with your county, you may need a permit to run the electrical wires.