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Posts Tagged ‘Spa Technichal Support’

Back Pain and Hot Tubs

May 20th, 2011 by

I played competitive tennis in high school and college. I injured by back playing and training and have had severe back pain since for almost 15 years and have not been able to play since.

About 2 years ago I had reached my breaking point and just could not tolerate the pain and discomfort anymore. I had to walk with my head down constantly scanning the ground to avoid unlevel areas and curbs, since they would really aggravate my back and sometimes floor me. Walking up and down handicap ramps was a way of life for me. I went to my MD to get it checked out and hear the dreaded news.

They took x-rays and an MRI. They told me I had 3 compressed and bulging discs. One had burst and was so flat there was less than 1ml of disc left. The bones in my spine were so close together that they were pressing on a nerve and causing the pain and immobility. The doctor gave me some pain medications and a referral to a specialist. The specialist suggested surgery, but the surgery is not guaranteed to work, in fact, it could make the problem worse.

I felt I had to find other options, so during my hunt I came across a brochure for spinal decompression therapy. It is a treatment process that targets the specific damaged discs and attempts to place the body in the position to repair the discs. They do not guarantee results either, but they have had many successful results from previous patients.

I figured I would try it and if it didn’t work, well, I’m back to opting for surgery or looking for other options. The process starts out with heat treatment, then decompression, then electrotherapy, then massage. You must drink plenty of water and be fully hydrated for the process to work.

The decompression is quite an experience. You are strapped to a machine at the torso. You are then strapped to a bench and the machine angles itself to isolate the disc to be treated. The machine slowly pulls and releases your torso and the disc space. Pulling the disc space apart creates a vacuum and forces fluid back into the disc space.

After enough treatments, the fluid will remain in the disc space and the disc itself will seal with the fluid inside. This will keep the bones apart and prevent them from pressing or pinching the nerves. A treatment takes about 1-1/2 hours. After about a year and close to 50 treatments, I now feel great and have had no problems with my back or treatments for over 7 months.

I definitely had my ups and downs during the process. At about the 20th treatment, I wasn’t getting any better and had pretty much lost hope of it working on me. I stuck to it though and a week or two later, I slowly started feeling better.

I now play tennis at least twice a week and feel great. In fact, I just became a certified teaching professional with the USPTA and plan on teaching lessons over the summer! If my back stiffens up, all I really need now is a good soak in my hot tub.

If you would like to know more about spinal decompression therapy, you can look them up on the web at www.nospinesurgery.com.

Brian

Merle Haggard and HotTubWorks

May 12th, 2011 by

Not only do I love where I work, the people I work with and the clients I assist on an every day basis but I love what Hot Tub Works gave me for my birthday.

At Hot Tub Works, we celebrate everyone’s birthday in the kitchen by eating cake, singing happy birthday (usually way off key), at times a birthday dance is requested (which I will never agree to) and a gift and card is given.

This year Hot Tub Works gave me two tickets to go see one of my absolute favorite Outlaw County Musicians Merle Haggard. I was ecstatic when I received this gift. Although my birthday was back in March, the concert was last night.

My best friend and I got all dolled up and spent a night on the town enjoying the live sounds of a legendary classic. I even met Merle’s number one fan (or so he stated) while mingling before the show, and snapped a picture with him.

I have to say, I feel so absolutely blessed to not only love my job, but know and feel that my job (the people here) love me. They gave me a night that I will never forget. On a side note: I wonder if Merle owns a hot tub? If he does, his next spa cover is on us……xoxohttp://media.morristechnology.com/mediafilesvr/upload/connectsavannah/article/merle-haggard.jpg

Child Safety and Hot Tubs

May 9th, 2011 by

Below is an article on hot tub safety. One point to add is a locking spa cover will provide the needed protection to keep our children safe around spas and hot tubs.

With kids at play, make pools and spas safer

By CRIS CARL
Published: Monday, May. 9, 2011 – 3:14 am

It took the drowning death of a 7-year-old girl in a hot tub to bring about safety regulations regarding pools and spas. Through the efforts of the child’s mother and legislators, the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act went into effect December of 2008. “One accident is too many,” said Mark Larange, owner of Livin’ Easy Spa Sales & Service in Greenfield, Mass.

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While the pool and spa safety act is a federal law that primarily impacts public pools and spas, each state has been adopting portions of the law to oversee those that are privately owed. “Any time there is an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) related event such as what happened to that child they (the government) always works to make us better,” said Larange.

Larange said that different states have focused on differing aspects of the law to make them more stringent. It is important to check state and local laws in relation to pools and spas whether you are installing something new or are retrofitting your pool or spa. Speak to your local building inspector when considering new pool and spa safety measures.

Some states are currently working on legislation and have no specific regulations relating to private ownership. However, most states are in the process of adopting new legislation. Larange said he expected Massachusetts to have new legislation within the next two years.

Regardless of legislation, there are steps you can easily take as a homeowner to make your pool or spa safer for your children:

Preventing Entrapment

The primary culprit in pool and spa injuries and deaths usually involves entrapment of hair or other body parts that are drawn into a drain or pump. “Entrapment can happen then there are faulty drains or pumps,” said Larange. Children are especially susceptible to entrapment due to lighter weight and smaller body size. In addition, Larange said, children often play games in pools and spas, diving to the bottom or seeing how long they can hold their breath, for example.

Larange said that many pools generally have self-priming pumps which draw water into it and are gravity fed. The suction created can hold a child underwater if they come in close contact with the drain.

If you have a pool or spa/hot tub at home, you can retrofit your drains and pumps at a fairly low cost. You can retrofit anti-entrapment drains for about $90 to $150. Larange said that the new anti-entrapment devices/systems are more sensitive to water pressure, and will automatically shut down if water flow is reduced. “In spas, there are also now bottom filters and surface top skimmers. There are check valves that will switch one system to the other if there is more than two pounds of pressure on one of the systems.”

Larange said that newer drains are often higher than the surface of the pool or spa with various openings for suction, as opposed to just one opening with much higher suction. “So, if someone brushes up against it, there is plenty of space to draw (suction) from the other side,” he said.

Pool Surface Alarms

Larange said that pool surface alarms can also be installed so that if a child sneaks into a pool or spa, the alarm will go off once the surface of the water is broken. “As soon as something splashes in the water, the pumps shut down,” said Larange.

There are numerous types of surface alarms. Most transmit a signal to the owner that the water has been breeched. The two types of surface alarms are those that float on the surface of the water and those that detect subsurface wave motion and are installed on the sides of a pool or spa. Both can be adjusted for sensitivity. Subsurface alarms have been noted to work better and have fewer false alarms than surface alarms. Surface alarms range in cost from about $150 to $250. Subsurface alarms cost a bit more ranging from $200 to $300.

The Old Fashioned Way

The most important thing you can do to protect your children is watch them at all times if they are in a pool or spa.

Read more:

Tech Savvy Hottubworks Team

May 9th, 2011 by

http://www.hottubworks.com/Images/Logo.gif

One of the most interesting parts about the owners at our company, Hot Tub Works, is how technologically savvy they are. I have worked for several individuals that don’t even know how to use a computer :) .

But I am impressed at how quickly a topic that we talk about in a meeting becomes a blog topic, winds up on Facebook, becomes a tweet on twitter and gets a ton of comments from our fans. So if you ever want to let the owners know how you feel or have any questions we are always online to help you out.

If you want to add us on Facebook click here:

If you want to add us on Twitter click here:

And as always you could always call us at 800-770-0292. We hope to hear from you in the future – all over the web :) .

- Nick

Hottubworks Spa Community

May 6th, 2011 by

One of the most useful but underutilized parts of the site is the Spa Community section. This section could be found on the home page of www.hottubworks.com on the left side highlighted in blue or there is a link to each section below:

spa-community

Hot Tub Tool Box

How to Videos

Forum

 

 

 

 

 

Under the Hot Tub Tool Box section you will find helpful articles and walkthroughs on chemicals and installation of various hot tub parts including pumps, equipment, etc.

Under the How-to-Video section there are instructional videos on how to turn a wet end, install an equipment pack, etc. and there are also instructional videos and informational videos on a majority of the major items on our site.

One of the best parts about this section of the site is that some of the videos actually are demonstrated by our staff, including an information video on pre-filters told by me.

The forum section is helpful to find answers to questions that aren’t available through videos or to find answers to questions during our off hours.

The blog – well, you know about the blog – over 300 articles of interest to spa owners.

Also, as always, we are available by phone if you ever want to discuss any additional questions that you may have. I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

~Nicholas

Hottubworks.com Proves Customer Service is Key

April 29th, 2011 by

hot-tub-spa-consumer-reviewsI love it when I can open my email and see so many client comments and reviews on our products but even more importantly our people.  We are truly a company who cares about our customers and that’s what its all about.

We don’t claim to be perfect yet we are trying to get better everyday.  I’m grateful to work with such an amazing group of people!

These are the reviews just from this morning’s email……..

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No question just want to say thanks for the spa cover you built it raised my spa core temp from 75 to 98-102 with just the cover change. I have talk to 3 freinds that will need covers soon a tolded them what you did for me they have seen the cover an like it will order soon thanks again for doing what you do an do it right
Customer Name: kenneth l

Contact VIA email

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Hi Brian,
First of, thanks for your help and expertise.  It really made me feel comfortable in making my purchase.  Your warranty and return policy on your product was also a deciding factor for me.  It was much better than your competitors.
Second, I just wanted to mention that the flex pack installed surprisingly easy.  It took longer for me to cut out the hole for the digital control than it was to screw down the pump and control pack.  I was able to use my existing fittings without any problems.  I’d say it took me an hour tops and I was ready to go. So far it’s working great.
Since I’ve done a lot of the research in comparing different companies on prices, warranty, and BBB ratings, I’ve already recommended you to my coworker who will be in the market for a spa pack.

Thanks again!
Roger.

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COMMENT: Thank you to Leata, EXT #108, for the wonderful customer service she provided with my recent order (4-25-11). I was attempting to order filters for my swim spa without a part number; and while the one I looked up on the internet would have physically fit, it would have be very inefficient for the size of my unit. She recommended getting parts numbers for the housing assembly, and after calling her back, she matched the approprate spa filter based on that & the actual size of my swim spa. She went above and beyond my expectations in providing EXCELLANT CUSTOMER SERVICE. She was polite,helpful, and informative throughout the entire process; even when calling her back with details near COB. Thank you so much. Please relay my comments to her. You can bet you will recieve several orders from me in the future. KUDOS!
Customer Name: Shawn Jones

Contact VIA email

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To Whom it May Concern,
I called and talked with Lietta (ext. 108) regarding this order shortly after I received this e-mail.  My son is getting married on Saturday May 30th and we are hosting the rehearsal dinner as well as having several of our close friends stay with us for the weekend.  And I really needed my New Hot Tub cover before the 29th.  She has tracked the manufacture of the spa cover and talked with the freight company several times to ensure delivery before the 29th.  I received my new spa cover yesterday May 27th and I wanted to drop you a note and say “THANKS” for the excellent customer service and let you know that you have a very valuable employee in Lietta.  She called me several times to let me know the progress of the cover and it was greatly appreciated.  I wish all customer service people were as kind and understanding as Lietta.  Don let her get away from you!

Thanks very much from a very satisfied customer.

Sincerely,

Craig

Hot Tub at Playboy Mansion Needs Some Love…

April 18th, 2011 by

Health scare: Playboy bunnies pose under the marquee at the Mansion before the party. Officials have found the Legionella bacteria in a hot tub

Being experts on the subject of hot tub maintenance, I was surprised to see this outbreak come from one the most infamous hot tubs that exist in LA.

It would be real easy to make a moral correlation here but I’ll refrain from the obvious……

Article below.

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Health officials have confirmed that the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease was found in a whirlpool spa at the Playboy Mansion where more than 100 people fell ill in February.

The Los Angeles County Health Department presented its findings on Friday at an annual conference at the Centres for Disease Control in Atlanta. The legionella bacteria also causes a milder illness called Pontiac fever.

Health scare: Playboy bunnies pose under the marquee at the Mansion before the party. Officials have found the Legionella bacteria in a hot tub.
Struck down: Investigators found the bacteria which causes Legionnaires' at the Playboy Mansion after scores of people fel ill on the same day
Struck down: Investigators found the bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ at the Playboy Mansion after scores of people fell ill on the same day
Investigation: 200 guests fell ill after attending a fundraiser at Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion in February

Symptoms, which include fever and headache, are the same as those suffered by the Playboy Mansion partygoers. The people who fell ill were at the mansion to mark the end of the three-day DOMAINFest Global Conference on internet business. The conference took place at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica.

On the second night, there was a party at the Sky Bar on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. The finale on the third night was at Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s famous mansion. Within 48 hours after leaving it, scores of people reported coming down with symptoms including fever, respiratory problems and violent headaches. About 700 people from 30 countries attended the conference.

DOMAINFest asked people who were at the event to fill out a confidential survey to help in the health department investigation. Officials ended up speaking to 439 people and found that up to 200 of them had a fever and at least one other symptom. Sixty-nine people reported falling ill on the same day.

Something in the air? Public health investigators believe the illness which affected 200 guests may have been spread through the atmospheric fog
Something in the air? Public health investigators believe the illness which affected 200 guests may have been spread through the atmospheric fog. Dr Jonathan Fielding, director of the county Department of Public Health, said that Legionella bacteria are commonly found in moist environments. Pontiac fever, which is caused by bacteria, typically lasts two to five days and treatment is usually unnecessary, ktla.com reports.

The bacteria are not spread from person to person, they are inhaled in water vapor from hot tubs, showers and even air conditioning systems. Some of those who became ill originally suspected a fog machine that was used at the party in February.

A Playboy spokesman said at the time: ‘There is no truth in the rumor that anyone caught anything at the Playboy Mansion, nor is there any evidence. ‘None of the Playboy staff became ill, the deejay was in the middle of the fog and she didn’t get ill. ‘We have been contacted by the Health Department and the Playboy Mansion is cooperating fully with the investigation.’

One partygoer, Elliot J. Silver, said: ‘It is scary that everyone came down with the same thing at the same time. ‘It knocked me on my ass. A lot of people are blaming the Playboy Mansion on the blogs, but you can’t be sure.’

- Legionnaires disease is one of many bacterias that can cause sickness, from improperly sanitized and filtered hot tubs.

Thanks;Jerry

Testing Hot Tub and Spa Sensors

April 15th, 2011 by
Balboa Spa Parts Spa Sensor, Balboa M7, LE, Valu Heaters, Acts as high-Limit or Temperature, 12 inches long

How to Test Spa Sensors for Continuity

With your electrical test meter set to 100k ohms, test the green and black wires for continuity.

Depending on the temperature it will give you a value. It is based on a 10k ohm resister. At 77 degrees it will read 10k ohms. As the temperature rises it will have a lower resistance and as the temperature lowers it will have a higher resistance.

Generally, all of the spa sensors will read 10-12k at 70 to 80F for resistance. If your readings are much less, this can indicate a break in the “Continuous” circuit, power not flowing through properly.

Top Ten Spa Cover Care Tips

March 31st, 2011 by

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One of the most frequently asked questions I get from our customers is how to take care of a new spa cover. Here’s my list of ten tips to increase the lifespan of a new spa cover.

If you have any spa cover care tips of your own, leave them below in the comments! Or, make your own list of Do’s and Dont’s for hot tub covers, ways to increase their lifespan.

 

Ten Hot Tub Cover Care Tips

  1. Clean your spa cover monthly with mild liquid dish soap or hand soap diluted in water. Hose the cover off, and use an old towel to dry.
  2. Use cover wipes like our 303 Spa Cover Wipes, or apply a vinyl conditioner like Vinyl Protectant or Spa Cover Conditioner and Protector.
  3. Do not use an abrasive sponge. Use a small, clean hand towel, regular sponge or soft bristled brush.
  4. Use a Spa Cover lifter, to avoid damage while moving it, or while stored.
  5. Keep your spa cover latched while it’s on; use Wind Straps in areas of high winds or hurricanes.
  6. Remove your spa cover for an hour, at least twice weekly, to allow it to “gas off” and dry out.
  7. If you have Tree Sap on the cover you can remove this by rubbing some vegetable oil on the sap.
  8. Mildew can be removed with a vinegar solution cleaning, rinsing, and a thorough drying.
  9. Don’t allow kids or large animals to stand or sit on the spa cover.
  10. Remove snow accumulation of more than 12 inches.

Mildew Growth in Spa Covers

Vinyl protectants have ingredients designed to protect your cover from the sun’s rays so that your spa cover will look great for many years. But beneath the vinyl, mildew can appear on spa covers, when conditions are right.

The underside of the cover is made to withstand the harsh chemical environment it is exposed to but should be removed weekly from the spa, to allow it to dry. It is also important to keep the spa water balanced, and with proper sanitizer levels. These two things will inhibit growth of mildew.

Most hot tub owners use their hot tub at least 3 times a week which allows the cover to be exposed to air. If you do not use your tub as often make sure to open the cover up at least twice a week and allow the cover as well as the water to breathe.

There is nothing organic in the spa cover to grow mildew, so if mildew does appear it is due to improper chemical levels or not airing out the tub cover enough. If you do get mildew try swabbing the area with vinegar and laying the cover in the sun for a day.

In extreme cases, you’ll want to unzip the cover, to allow cleaning inside of the fabric and of the foam core, applying the vinegar solution internally. Stand the spa cover in an upside-down “V” shape. preferably in the sun, on a warm and dry day.

With simple maintenance you can further extend the life of your new spa cover.

Lietta!

Winterizing a Spa or Hot Tub

March 25th, 2011 by

How to winterize your spa or hot tub

Blow Out the Spa Pipes

If you plan on draining your spa or hot tub for the winter, be sure to use a wet / dry vac to suck out any residual water in the plumbing lines and equipment.

Water will expand about 9 times it size when it freezes and will easily crack plumbing fittings, manifolds, and spa pump wet-ends.

To remove water from spa or hot tub pipes, place the vacuum nozzle over the jets, suction fittings, filter plumbing, and equipment to quickly remove the access water and prevent a huge repair when Spring comes around. You can make special hose attachments by using various fittings, and duct tape, to make the best seal against skimmers, spa jets and pumps.

You can also use the wet dry vac as a blower, to blow out the spa pipes. Connect to your skimmer pipe to blow air through the spa pack. Turn on your spa blower while you are blowing out the hot tub pipes. Move the vac or blower, around to different parts of the spa, to try to get air into every possible area.

This is also important to prevent standing water from growing bacteria inside of the pipes. Keep blowing air through all of the spa jets, until all of the moisture has been blown out of the pipes and equipment.

For this reason, it is also recommended to use a Spa Purge product before draining the spa, to clear the pipes and equipment of biofilm bacteria. We have two excellent hot tub pipe cleaners – Rendezvous Spa Rinse or Leisure Time Jet Clean.

To complete your hot tub winterization, remove any drain plugs on the pump and filter and open the drain valve all the way. Get the last little bit of water out with a sponge and bucket.

Shut off the power to the spa, so the pumps don’t accidentally turn on while the hot tub is winterized.

Secure your spa cover for winter with Wind Straps if you have high winds. Use the Cover Cap, to protect hot tub covers from weather all winter long.

~ brian