INSTALLATION
A hot tub must be placed on stable, flat and even ground. It should not be placed directly on the soil or lawn. A foundation can be made of paving tiles, concrete or wood. A hot tub needs about 20 cm bigger foundation than the internal diameter. Dont forget to add some space for the stairs, external heater or wooden box of the filtration system.
In order to have an easy drainage we recommend to make a foundation with a little inclination (~1-2 cm per meter) and place the hot tub so that the tap is at the lowest part. You can specify the position of the tap in your order.
WATER TREATMENT
There are two main groups of contaminants that affect water of a hot tub:
1) Visible contaminants like dirt, dust, mucus, skin particles, leaves, insects, and other hard particles;
2) Invisible contaminants like bacteria and algae that grows in warm water.
Most visible contaminants can be cleaned with sand filter, while bacteria and algae can be eliminated only by use of chemical products. Therefore there are 4 ways how to treat water in your hot tub:
1) Change water more or less every week or before each session. No chemical products are needed.
2) Use disinfecting chemical products regularly and change water when it gets visibly dirty, approximately every 1-4 weeks.
3) Use sand filter and disinfecting chemical products and change water every 1-6 months.
4) Use sand filter and disinfecting chemical products and change water every 1-6 months. The dosage of the chemical products is reduced by 50-80%.
If you intend to use chemical water treatment products, make sure to order special stainless steel heater (AISI 304 or 316) that is resistant to chemicals, otherwise water treatment will cause rust. We do not recommend to use chlorine or bromine based chemicals for a fully wooden hot tub. These chemicals are aggressive to wood and it will cause stains and faster deterioration. For a fully wooden hot tub use only active oxygen based water treatment products.
Hot water reduces the effect of the chemical products, therefore use them only when the water is cold. For example you fill the hot tub with new water and use the hot tub on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon, when water is not hot anymore, put the chemical products. They will keep the water clean until next weekend. Repeat the procedure.
Please note, that filtration system will not clean the bottom of the hot tub. That can be done either with a swimming pool vacuum cleaner or by emptying the hot tub.
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR CARE
Your wooden tub actually requires very little maintenance. After some time the wood takes on a natural colour, without affecting the quality of the tub or the lasting qualities of the wood. A wooden tub which is always outside will change colour over the years, it will become grayer. Many people consider this a natural colour. A tarpaulin PVC cover is the best protection against ageing and colour change.
You can oil ant paint the exterior of your hot tub. Oiling the wood will protect the natural colour. Paint will increase durability of the wood and you can apply any colour you like.
It is recommended to clean inside of the hot tub with water from time to time. After you drain the water you can use a brush or high-pressure cleaner.
WINTERIZATION
When there is a risk of water freezing, empty the tub, the heater and all accessories temporarily or keep the water circulating with the aid of circulation pump (massage jets or air bubbles). Never empty the tub without allowing the heater to cool. Disconnect water filter and store it in a warm place or prepare it for winter according to user manual instructions.
Water in the pumps and jets freezes before it freezes in the rest of the hot tub. So do not use the pump if you have missed the opportunity to empty the hot tub and there is a risk that the water has frozen inside.
SPECIAL CARE OF 100% WOODEN HOT TUBS
It is mandatory to have the fully wooden tub always filled with water to prevent the wood from drying out. When the temperatures are high and the weather is exceptionally dry, it is necessary to keep the tub filled to the brim with water. If you do not do this, leakage could occur.
Leakage in itself is not a serious problem because the tub is made from natural material (wood) and the wood may warp during its lifespan. When leaks occur and are quite heavy, tightening the straps and keeping the tub wet will make the hot tub leak-free again.
Never paint or lacquer the inside part of your hot tub as this prevents the natural wood’s ability to breath and control its humidity level. Lacquered wood does not absorb moisture: it cannot expand and may start to leak. The only recommended method of applying a protective layer is to apply linseed oil on the outside of your hot tub once or twice a year. This will protect the colour of the wood to some extent, without preventing the wood from its natural breathing.
Chlorine and bromine based water treatment chemicals are not allowed with fully wooden hot tubs, they can cause pigmentation and fast deterioration of wood.