1) Keep the pH levels in your tub under control – When people talk about pH, they are referring to the acidity of the water. There is an inverse relationship between pH and acidity. The lower the pH of the water, the more acidic it is. If the amount of acidity is too high (i.e., the pH is too low) the water starts to corrode the metal portions of the hot tub.  However, a  pH level too high can cause problems for your hot tub as well. A high pH level can cause build up of scale and make it easy for stains to form.

The best hot tub pH range for normal use is in the range 7.2 to 8.0. Spa strips will allow you to easily test the pH levels.

2) While it may sound trivial, when cleaning the tub, clean the water line with a non soap based cleaner. This is not merely an aesthetic quirk. Bacteria and algae see a hot tub water line as a fantastic breeding ground for themselves.

3) About once every two months – more if you subject your hot tub to heavy use, drain your hot tub and clean it with a good, non soap based, cleaning paste. Failure to clean your hot tub on a regular basis will lead to the build of up total dissolved solids which will make the water cloudy and contribute to the amount of unsightly surface foam.

4) Once a month, clean the water filter cartridge with a good cartridge cleaner. A dirty water filter not only inhibits water flow in the hot tub, it helps create an environment that bacteria love. If the water filter is still dirty after a cleaning or two, you may have to replace it entirely.

Please visit our website for more information on discount spa covers, hot tubs prices and soft side hot tub,

A post from: Bathroom Decor Tips

Saunas are designed to provide either moist or dry heat.A bather, or group of bathers, can gather inside of a sauna to experience temperatures as high as 80 degrees Celcius or more. The opening of the pores and sweating make it possible for impurities to easily be removed from the body. If water is poured on the hot stones, steam is produced which makes the sauna moist. The sauna is loved not only for it’s relaxing properties, but also for improving the immune system and helping detoxify the body.

Sauna is an ancient Finnish word that describes the traditional Finnish bath. The sauna consisted of a fire wherein stones were heated to high temperatures, then doused in water to release steam heat.Because of the extreme heat, individuals would remove their clothes for comfort.

Eventually the home sauna was improved with the addition of a metal woodstove and chimney. Although the temperature was generally set somewhere between 70 and 80 °C, a traditional Finnish sauna could sometimes get as hot as 90 °C. Steam vapor was also generated by spraying water onto the heated stones. The steam vapor and high heat caused bathers to sweat a great deal.

In order to take full advantage of the sauna, the Finns gathered a bundle of bird branches containing tiny, fresh leaves. This was called a vihta. This practice not only aids in blood circulation, but adds a pleasant birch scent to the sauna.

Saunas relieve stress in two ways. One is the natural relaxation you’d experience when spending time in a dry or wet sauna. The other way in which a sauna relieves stress is by releasing chemicals from the body. When your skin heats up during a bath, large quantities of chemicals that cause stress are expelled from the body. Thus, in addition to reducing the amount of chemicals in the body, the sauna bath also slows the formation of chemicals.

Furthermore, your body releases much of the toxins through the pores of your skin while you perspire. As mentioned earlier, the sauna induces sweating that ultimately cleanses the body.

Finns utilize saunas on a regular basis, and saunas are lauded thoughout Finland as the best, most natural way to cleanse oneself both in body and mind. The sauna was and continues to be an essential aspect of daily life. Families in Finland traditionally bathed together in the sauna at home. It is interesting to note that Finnish women used to give birth in the sauna.
When the Finns migrated to the different parts of the globe they shared their knowledge of sauna designs and customs. They taught other cultures about the sauna’s health benefits which helped the sauna to evolve further. Eventually, this led to the development of electric sauna stoves and far infrared saunas which became quite popular. Since then various cultures around the world have been recognizing, adopting and improvising the sauna.

A post from: Bathroom Decor Tips

Here’s an overview of the steps:

• buy or design your plans

• find/buy the wood

• accurately measure and cut the wood or have a professional do it for you

• assemble all the pieces, including a heater, bench and door

Choose A Location

Location is an important consideration when building a sauna. It’s the main thing that will influence your sauna design. For example,

• Will you convert an existing room?

• Will it be freestanding?

• Do you want it inside or outside your house?

• Will it be in the city or country?

When your location is chosen, you have to decide what kind of sauna heater you’re going to use.

Depending on your chosen location, you may not have much of a choice.

Choosing A Sauna Heater

Electric sauna heaters are the most popular choice. Obviously, you’ll need to have access to electricity if you want to use one.

If you plan to build a sauna in the country, a wood sauna heater may be your only option.

You can also buy a gas sauna heater, but they are more expensive.

Professional installation will be required and your sauna will need to be ventilated. Gas heaters also require more clearance than an electric heater.

Before making any final decisions, find out what the local building codes are. For example, there may be an ordinance for your community that restricts the use of a wood burning sauna heater.

Sauna Construction

If you want to convert an existing room into a home made sauna, you’ll have to take protective measures against the moisture that’ll come from the sauna. The room will need to be properly insulated and include a vapor barrier to guard against possible damage.

You’ll have to find-and-buy or special order the wood you’re going to use, then you’ll have to carefully measure and cut it (or have a pro handle that part).

If you don’t purchase tongue-and-groove lumber, you’ll have to make tongue-and-groove joints in the sides of the wood for strength and tight seals, and it takes a special tool for that.

Of course you also need a sauna door. Manufacturers sell them in different shapes and sizes.

You can also buy a bench for your sauna or you can build your own.

Although it is doable, if you’re not skilled with your hands building your own sauna is no small task.

Visit www.steam-sauna-benefits.com for more info about home saunas.

A post from: Bathroom Decor Tips