New home comes with a hot tub? Here's what to do.
Buying a new home is exciting! If your new home comes with a hot tub, you’re not only getting a new home - you’re getting easy access to fun, stress reduction and health benefits, right in your backyard. But to get the most out of your hot tub, there are a few things you need to be sure to do.
- Find out what it is. Before the seller walks away, get as much information about the spa as possible. Ideally, you’ll learn the brand and model, and the owner will make sure you have the owner’s manual - or, by knowing the brand and model, you’ll be able to get your hands on one. This is important so you’ll know what filters to buy, how many gallons the spa holds so you can calculate the appropriate amount of chemicals, and more.
- Go ahead and change the filters. It’s unlikely the previous owner changed the filters before listing the home for sale, and most filters only have a lifespan of 2-3 years. Clean, well-functioning filters are key to making sure you have clean, clear spa water. If you aren’t certain what size filters you need - stop. Measure the old ones carefully, and call us. We’ll help you make sure you get exactly what you need.
- Inspect the cover and lifter (if you have one). A properly fitting and functioning cover is key to keeping your hot tub clean and energy efficient. If your cover is heavy, cracked or broken, it’s time to replace it. A cover lifter should sit straight on the spa, with straight arms and a straight top bar. If any of these components are bent or crooked, not only will it be more difficult to lift your cover, but it might not seal correctly, letting heat escape.
- Purge your inherited water care products. There’s a fair to good chance the previous owner had a number of chemicals or water care products on-hand that you don’t need, or that could even be harmful to your hot tub. Caring for hot tub water really isn’t hard - it just takes some good guidance from the start.
Our recommendation? Put it all in a box - yep, all of it - and bring it in to our store. We’d be happy to go through it with you, showing you what you should keep, and what you should throw out. And, if you need new products or want to try a new water care system, well - we can help you with that, too.One final thing. Sometimes, those hot tubs that come with houses? Well, occasionally they have - issues. If that happens, but you find you’re committed to the idea of entertaining friends, enjoying time with your family, and taking soothing solo soaks, come see us. We can help you choose a new hot tub to replace the clunker you inherited.