Just because temperatures are dropping doesn’t mean you have to close down your hot tub. People all over the world enjoy the unique pleasure of soaking in steaming hot water on crisp winter days or nights. You can join their ranks with these tips for enjoying your hot tub in winter.
Health Benefits of Hot Tubbing in the Winter
Most spa owners understand that hot tubs provide several health benefits, but you may not realize that there are additional reasons to continue enjoying your hot tub all winter long.
Give Your Immune System a Boost
Soaking in a hot tub can actually help you fight off those pesky germs that seem to stalk us in the cold months. It improves circulation and elevates your body temperature, which can aid your immune system. If you do get a cold, your spa can relieve congestion in your nose, sinuses, and chest.
Relieve Muscle Aches
If your body gets stiff or achy when the temperatures plummet, you will especially love using your hot tub all winter. The hot water can alleviate sore muscles and joint stiffness, so you can move easier, even when it’s cold out.
Stay Warm
A hot soak is the perfect way to warm up when the weather is chilly. No need for heavy boots or multiple layers to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. Sit back and relax in your outdoor hot tub in winter, and enjoy nature in warm comfort.
Of course, in the winter you can also enjoy the benefits you get all year from using a hot tub, like easing stress and helping you sleep better.
5 Tips for Running a Hot Tub in Winter
If you’ve decided to keep your hot tub up and running during the cold season, follow these tips to get the most out of your hot tub in winter:
1. Inspect and Clean Your Hot Tub
Before it gets very cold, clean and inspect your hot tub. Empty and clean the filter, check for leaks and make sure that pumps, water pack, and all other equipment are running as they should. It’s also a good idea to give the plumbing a good flush to remove any build-up.
2. Invest in a Good Cover
Snow can get heavy, so you need a quality cover. If you live in an area that gets heavy snow, get a thicker cover than if you live in a more moderate climate that doesn’t get snow.
3. Keep Snow and Ice Clear
Remove snow around your hot tub and shovel out a clear path to it. However, use a soft bristle broom to remove snow from the cover, not a shovel that could damage the vinyl.
4. Monitor the Water Level
You may be surprised at how quickly your spa water evaporates in cold, dry air. Because water circulation is critical to preventing frozen pipes, running a hot tub in winter requires you to frequently check the water level to make sure it doesn’t get too low.
NOTE: Do not use snow to refill your hot tub. The pH balance of snow is wrong for your spa, and snow can contain impurities that would make your water cloudy.
5. Keep the Water Clean
It’s difficult to drain and refill your hot tub during the winter, so be extra diligent in keeping your spa water pristine. Monitor chemical levels regularly, and request that everyone who gets in the hot tub rinses off in the shower first to remove soap residue and other substances on skin.
Get Your Hot Tub Ready for Winter Relaxation
Want to enjoy your hot tub this winter but need to upgrade, replace, or purchase a hot tub? The experts at Aqua Rec’s have been helping homeowners in the Bonney Lake, Fircrest, Puyallup, and Tacoma areas create the perfect backyard sanctuaries since 1976. Contact us today to find the right hot tub for you.