WCI Blog

Spring Clean Up for Your Hot Tub

WCI Pools & Spas — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:05:57 -0600

With Spring on its way, eventually, thoughts often turn to cleaning up from the aftermath of winter. Snow, ice and salt tracked in from outdoors have made a mess of the floors in your house and vehicle. Fallen branches, left over leaves, and the bitter cold have done a number on your lawn. And blowing snow, sleet and rain have made a mess of your windows.

But don’t forget about your hot tub. All the elements of winter that have been hard on your home, vehicle and yard are equally as hard on your hot tub. With warmer weather on the way its time to think about a little TLC for your hot tub. Here are a few tips to help get your hot tub back in tip-top shape:

1. Hot Tub Cover – Your hot tub cover takes the brunt of everything winter has to offer. Heavy snow, the sharp edges of broken ice, and the brutal winter winds all put stress and strain on your hot tub cover. Spring is a good time to check the seams for splits or tears as well as the vinyl covering itself to be sure there are no tears or punctures that can let water seep into the foam cores of the cover. Once water starts to soak into the foam cores it is very difficult to dry the cores and a replacement cover is usually your best option.

Also, check the tie-down straps and locks on your hot tub cover to be sure straps aren’t torn and the locking clasps aren’t broken. Broken clasps can be replaced. If one tie-down strap is torn you can install a wind strap to take the place of the standard tie-down straps. If more than one strap is torn or missing, it is best to consider replacing the cover.

Finally, remove your hot tub cover from your hot tub and give it a thorough cleaning. To clean the underside, use a mild bleach and water solution. This will help remove any mildew that may be present and will help your hot tub smell fresh and inviting when you open the cover. You may also use a product such as NanoSpray to prevent future mildew problems from occurring. To clean the outside of your cover, you may use a mild soap and warm water solution or a cover cleaning product such as BaquaSpa Cover cleaner, which is designed specifically for the type of vinyl used on hot tub covers. Be sure NOT to use any cleaning product that has a petroleum base as this can damage the vinyl and shorten the life of your hot tub cover. After cleaning, protect your hot tub cover from the damage caused by sunlight by applying a UV protectant such as 303 Aerospace Protectant.

2. Hot Tub Cabinet/Skirting – The hot tub cabinet, or skirting, does a great job of protecting your hot tub components during the winter but also could use a good cleaning in the Spring. Be sure to check the cabinet to make sure there are no missing or broken pieces and that no holes have developed that could allow rodents and other critters to gain access to the inside of your hot tub cabinet. Finally, clean your hot tub cabinetry with a mild soap and water solution. If you really want your hot tub to shine, synthetic cabinetry can be polished with a non-abrasive polishing compound to make it look like new again. Wood cabinetry may need to be painted or stained to bring it back to its previous glory.

3. Hot Tub Shell – Because it’s Spring, it’s probably time to drain and clean the inside of your hot tub as well. After draining the water from your hot tub, clean the shell with a non-abrasive cleaner such as Speed Clean or BaquaSpa Surface Cleaner. This will help remove any dirt and oils that may have built up on the shell surface and may be contributing to cloudy or foamy water. After cleaning the shell, be sure to rinse any remaining residue off the shell with clean water and use a wet/dry vac to remove all remaining water from the hot tub.

4. Filters – While draining your hot tub, remove your filters and check them for any holes or tears in the filter media. If holes or tears are present, or if the filters are 12-18 months old, it is time to replace them.

If the filters are still in good shape, now is the time to give them a good cleaning. If filters are only lightly soiled, you can use a quick cleaning solution such as Minute Rinse to spray on the filters before rinsing them off. If filters are heavily soiled, soak them overnight in a filter cleaning solution, such as Filter Cleanse, before thoroughly rinsing them off with a sprayer on the end of a garden hose. Both of these cleaning solutions will break down the dirt and oils that clog filter media. Clogged filters make your pumps work harder and can even cause your hot tub to stop heating.

5. ClearRay – If your hot tub is equipped with a ClearRay Ultraviolet Sanitizing system, you may need to replace your UV bulb. ClearRay bulbs are designed to last approximately 12-18 months. As the bulbs age the amount of UV light produced diminishes, thus reducing the effectiveness of the ClearRay system. ClearRay UV bulbs can be replaced quite easily when the tub is drained so making bulb replacement a part of your annual Spring cleaning is a good way to ensure your are getting the most out of your ClearRay system.

When is the Best Time to Open My Pool?

WCI Pools & Spas — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:09:41 -0600

“When is the best time to open my pool?” This is one of the most common questions I get asked this time of year.

Now that Spring is here, pool owners are starting to get that itch. They’ll be ready to get rid of that winter cover and get the pool up and running so that once the heat of summer arrives, they’ll have a crystal clear pool to jump into.

The big question is, when do I need to open up the pool to make Spring cleanup as easy as possible. The short answer is, open early! By opening your pool early, before the temperature really starts to rise, you are able to start circulating your pool water and get the water chemically balanced before the algae in the pool have a chance to start growing. Algae love many things, including sunlight, phosphates and warm water. It’s the last of these things that we want to get ahead of. Once your pool water warms up, algae can grow like wildfire.

So, if you want to simplify your Spring cleanup, open your pool early. In the Midwest, that usually means before the end of April. And with May on its way, the temperatures are sure to heat up. If your pool isn’t already up and running before the warm temperatures really set in, the only guests at your pool party will be the algae!

Now That's a Big Pool!

WCI Pools & Spas — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:18:48 -0600

Looking for a big pool? How about this 66 Million gallon, 20 acre behemoth! Located at the San Alfonso del Mar resort in Chile, this 3,300 foot long pool is 115 feet deep at its deepest point! Let us know where your favorite pool is and we'll feature it here so others can check it out.

Clear Ray Sanitizing Technology

WCI Pools & Spas — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:55:48 -0600

Tired of fighting to keep your hot tub water clean and clear so you can enjoy it during the great winter hot tubbing months? Check out this video about the Clear Ray ultraviolet sanitizing system. This system uses ultraviolet technology to cleanly and efficiently sanitize your hot tub water without adding corrosive salt or other additives to your water. Plus, Clear Ray has no damaging off-gassing that can shorten the life of your hot tub cover and other hot tub components. Ultraviolet technology has been used for years in municipal water treatment plants, food handling facilities, hospitals and many other locations that require safe, clean environments. Now, this technology has been brought to your hot tub in yet another industry first for Jacuzzi Hot Tubs.

How to Winterize a Hot Tub

WCI Pools & Spas — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:21:37 -0600

Though winter can be a great time to use your hot tub, some people prefer to shut their hot tub down during the winter months. To protect your investment, it is important that the hot tub be winterized properly to prevent damage to the hot tub shell or components due to freezing.

The following instructions are general guidelines to assist you in properly winterizing a hot tub. It is recommended that this service be provided by an authorized service facility if possible. The steps may differ slightly depending on the particular hot tub model.

Winterizing Procedure

Turn off the power to spa at the breaker. After draining the spa, disconnect the unions from all pumps and use a high volume shop vacuum (3HP or higher), to blow air through both the dis- charge and suction plumbing lines.
With the shop vacuum on, move the topside diverter valve from one position to the other and open and close each jet face until no more water comes out of the jets.
Connect the shop vacuum to each of the plumbing lines and suction fittings (Essential for models with 2 speed pumps and 2” check valves) and blow/suck out the lines until there is no more evi- dence of water, gurgling sounds or mist coming from the suction fittings in the foot well of the spa.
Vacuum any residual water from the spa and remove all pump drain plugs and leave all pump unions disconnected in case rain water makes its way back into the suction fittings or drain.
Remove the filter and plug the smaller suction port in the filter bucket. Attach the vacuum’s blower to the main filter line to clear any residual water from the circulation pump plumbing.
Open and close the waterfall valve (if applicable) until the water is cleared from the waterfall plumbing.
Remove the plumbing connections from the heater and blow out the heater line. Leave these disconnected.
Remove the plug from the smaller port in the filter bucket and blow any residual water out of this line. Check all 3⁄4” lines for any residual water and disconnect the unions or remove clamps and hose and remove the drain plug (if applicable) from the circulation pump. Blow these lines and the circulation pump out. Leave the unions disconnected. Wipe out any residual water and then cover the spa with a tarp to prevent water intrusion. The spa should be tarped in such a manner that seals and prevents rain or snow from entering through the cover and the tarp should be attached securely enough to handle adverse weather conditions.

How to Choose Your Hot Tub Dealer

WCI Pools & Spas — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:30:38 -0600

When you are ready to become a hot tub owner, it is very important to choose the right dealer to buy from. There are many factors to consider, with the following providing a helpful guideline:

Conduct a “background check”: Make sure that the dealer you buy a hot tub from has relevant industry accreditation and a knowledgeable staff to assist you with decision making throughout the purchasing process.

Inquire about customer service: In a sense, you are engaging a relationship with your hot tub dealer. Therefore, it’s best to confirm beforehand that they will treat you with respect and will be able to provide for your needs (i.e.: parts, assistance, etc.).

Location, location, location: A hot tub dealer with a physical store gives you the convenience of actually seeing the models and parts you are interested in looking at.

Avoid unnecessary risk: Sure it’s comfortable to do everything online, but dealing with a virtually anonymous online seller can make things complicated when you need to reach them in the future.

Make an investment: When you look at price tags, consider the purchase an investment. A good quality product may cost more now, but that cheap buy today may lead to a series of unexpected expenses down the road.

Now that you are armed with this brief but valuable collection of knowledge, it’s time to start looking for the perfect hot tub dealer. Happy shopping!

Benefits of Owning a Hot Tub

WCI Pools & Spas — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 09:01:23 -0600

Are you wondering if you should buy a hot tub? There actually are many benefits that come with owning a hot tub; these are just a few to give you an idea:

Mental Health Benefits

The soothing warm water in a hot tub has a relaxing effect that decreases stress and can even dissipate tensional headaches, greatly enhancing your quality of life.

Physical Health Benefits

Feeling the hot tub’s warm water pulsating and swirling around your body can relieve the pain from inflammation, effectively helping you recover from backaches, aching joints, and minor injuries.

Lifestyle Benefits

When you sit in a hot tub, your body temperature raises and your muscles relax, peacefully easing you into a restful sleep.

Financial Benefits

Acquiring a hot tub means adding an asset to increase your home value by including this undeniably attractive amenity.

Clearly, owning a hot tub is an excellent investment, and if you are still undecided, just go ahead and picture yourself relaxing in the warm soothing water of your very own hot tub!

Jacuzzi wins Best Hot Tub Award

WCI Pools & Spas — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:58:41 -0600

Best Hot Tub – We are pleased to announce that the Jacuzzi J-470 model hot tub has been named a best hot tub pick in poolandspa.com’s list of the “Top 10 Hot Tub Spa Picks for 2010.”

Like all of the Jacuzzi J-400 Collection hot tubs, the J-470 includes a variety of the best hot tub features and options. The J-470 comfortably seats 6-7 adults in a variety of depths with molded seats to support the body, and adjustable pillow headrests that move up and down to accommodate different body heights.

At night, colored lights glowing from the waterfalls and from new underwater lights add to the peaceful feeling. The J-470 features highly-effective neck jets and Jacuzzi PowerPro™ FX2 Spinner jets; every seat is designed for easy access to the invigorating foot jets.

Poolandspa.com noted that “The J-470 hot tub takes stylish design to a new level. State of the art features and the Jacuzzi name make this a great spa.”

Jacuzzi Hot Tubs was also named by poolandspa.com Best of Class in the Hot Tub Innovations category. Awards were based on a variety of factors including product inspections, phone interviews, and detailed consumer input from more than 5,000 consumers through the use of a third-party consumer survey company.

“We are honored that poolandspa.com has chosen the J-470 as a best hot tub pick, recognizing the high-quality features that the J-470 offers over other hot tubs,” said Sr. Product Manager, Larry Ovalle. “In creating the J-400 Collection, our designers and engineers were inspired to rethink traditional hot tub design in terms of innovation, features, and performance.”

Swimming Pool Planning Time

WCI Pools & Spas — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:22:10 -0600

Winter is finally here. But before long Spring will arrive and Summer will be on its way. And as Summer gets closer, more and more people start thinking about a swimming pool. And the waiting list to have your pool installed gets longer and longer. That’s why now is the best time to start planning for your own backyard pool.

Planning your pool is one of the most important steps in getting the pool that is right for you and your family. Everything from the type of pool (vinyl, fiberglass or gunite), size and shape (rectangle, kidney or free-form), location (backyard, side yard, close to the house or tucked in a corner of the yard) and the features and accessories you want your pool to have (automatic cover, steps, benches, salt-chlorine generator, lights, fountains, diving boards and slides) must be considered. There are many steps in the pool planning process and a number of decisions that must be made. Some big, some small. But they all contribute to the success of your pool project and getting the pool that works for you and your family.

So don't wait until the weather warms up to start thinking about a pool. A little planning now will help you get the perfect pool for you AND it will allow you to have your pool installed early in the season so you can enjoy it all summer long. Contact your pool professional today and let them help you get started planning the right pool for you.