LIQUID REJUVENATION: ADDING A HOT TUB

Hot tubs are a popular water amenity that can increase your home’s value, enhance your ability to enjoy the outdoors, and add therapeutic relief to achy joints and muscles.

“Hot tubs improve your backyard and can offer numerous health benefits every day in the form of heat, buoyancy, and hydrotherapy that can provide arthritis relief, improve cardiovascular health, decrease stress, and lead to better sleep,” says Tracy Dick, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy for Leslie’s Pools, headquartered in Phoenix.

But even though hot tubs are more compact and contain less water than a swimming pool, keep in mind that careful planning and regular maintenance are required.

“A spa or hot tub full of water can weigh more than 4,000 pounds filled, depending on its size and capacity. For this reason, it should be placed on a four-inch-thick reinforced concrete slab or an equally sturdy wood deck atop compacted earth that’s capable of holding 100 pounds per square foot,” cautions Dick. “Never install one on a balcony or unsupported deck or set it on bare earth, as its weight can cause these bases to sink and collapse.”

When shopping for a hot tub, think carefully about the size and capacity needed to accommodate your household. Smaller models fit two to four people, while larger units seat seven or more.

Standard options in most models include a pump, heater, underwater light, and a spa-side control panel. Among the popular upgrades are extra horsepower, two pumps, a high-capacity heater, air blowers to add bubbles, extra LED lights, additional jets, an ozone or UV purification system, and an audio system.

“The all-in cost of adding a hot tub, including pad, installation, and electrical hookup, starts around $6,000 and can go well above $30,000 for deluxe models like a swim spa with jets powerful enough to allow you to swim in place,” explains Joe Raboine, director of Residential Hardscapes for Atlanta-headquartered Belgard.

Entry-level models are plug-and-play, meaning you can simply plug them into a standard GFCI outlet. But the experts recommend buying a better unit that runs on either 120v or 240v electrical service (which requires installation by an electrician) so that you can run the pump/jets and heater at the same time and opting for a product that includes at least a five-year warranty.

Photo courtesy of Content That Works. Active people looking for post-workout hydrotherapy are especially good candidates for a hot tub, although virtually any homeowner can benefit from one.