The Outdoor Spa: Escaping the Stressful Life
With the rushed, stressful lives we lead, it has become an imperative for our modern society to make sure that, amid all the hustle and bustle of living, we find time for ourselves to relax, refresh and rejuvenate ourselves. Simply put, we need to escape from our busy working lives to a place where there is no need for hurrying and the only purpose is to relax and enjoy ourselves.
Of the many places that we seek refuge from the busy world are spas. Through a combination of factors such as easy accessibility, health benefits and affordability, spas have become a favored destination of many stressed people who need to take a break. While at the start, setting up a spa seemed to be something reserved for the rich or the spa centers, the decreasing costs of setting up a home spa has resulted in the increase of personal spa setups in many homes.
In particular, outdoor spas are slowly gaining popularity with many different kinds installed in a lot of homes. They can make great additions to the garden or outdoor entertainment area of the home. Usually, spas with redwood and cedar sidings are best for outdoor installation. Outdoor spas also come in many different sizes. Some sizes are perfect for a personal soak in the spa or an intimate dip with a partner. Other sizes are great for a party or a family affair. A quick dip in an outdoor spa can be an invigorating experience. A longer soak an energize your whole body.
Featureful Outdoor Spas
Outdoor spas can also have many unique features. The regular spa can have a bubble bath and a whirlpool effect. Contoured seating is also common as well as a host of ergonomic styling which are custom made to make your spa experience the most relaxing and invigorating experience possible. Some spas also offer neck jets and blasters which can have a massaging effect for you. Fiber optic lighting is also available so you won't be splashing around in the dark. Some outdoor spas also offer an aromatherapy system.
There are also a few features in some outdoor spas which can be a bit more lavish than most. Some spas feature a flat-screen video set with DVD players which are integrated into the spa itself. The included CD/stereo system complete with surround sound system speakers and subwoofer are just exclamation marks on this already luxurious entertainment setup. Now, while you relax in your spa, you can catch up on the latest DVD flicks.
Another interesting spa feature is the "swimspa". The "swimspa" is a cross between a swimming pool and a spa. The "swimspa" contains the many features of a regular spa and an additional current generator. The current generator helps the user of the "swimspa" by generating a current which the use of the "swimspa" can swim against. The "swimspa" not only provides the best features of a spa but also lets the owner enjoy a pool with the limited area available.
Outdoor Spa Installation: The Best Locations
Installing an outdoor spa can require a lot of work and preparation. Usually, the preparation part is due to the special electrical and plumbing needs of an outdoor spa. The placement of the spa is also very vital when installing an outdoor spa.
Of course, a basic sense of the aesthetic can certainly help when looking for the best place to put up an outdoor spa. However, aesthetics aside, there are certain practicalities that you need to consider when setting up an outdoor spa.
Access to water sources such as faucets and garden hoses. This will be necessary for the operation of the spa as well as for the regular cleaning of the unit.
Access to a drainage system so that, when the unit is cleaned, there is a way to get rid of the dirtied water without the surrounding area of the spa becoming a soggy and muddy mess.
Access to electricity. Specifically, the unit should be located at most 45 m or 105 ft from the circuit breaker panel of the house. Any further from that distance could result in a voltage drop that may adversely affect the lifecycle of the motor of the outdoor spa. In cases where it is not possible to locate the outdoor spa near to the circuit breaker panel, it is necessary to use a thicker wire gauge.
The outdoor spa unit has a built in pump which, when operational, could generate ambient noise that can be distracting. It might be preferable to place the outdoor spa at a certain distance from the house.
Consider the privacy of the area where you are installing your outdoor spa. It should not be easily visible from the street. If necessary, you may install a wall in order to keep your outdoor spa private.
Check the view of the location of your outdoor spa. Staring at the wall of the house while relaxing in your outdoor spa is very unappealing. Try to find a better spot with the perfect view.
Avoid areas where the outdoor spa will be exposed to too much wind. Wind exposure can undermine temperature maintenance making your outdoor spa dip too cold for comfort.
An outdoor spa should not be located under any overhanging trees or plants so that there will not be any floating debris on the spa and the outdoor spa can also be heated naturally by the sun.
The location of the outdoor spa should also allow for easy access to the electrical components of the spa. This makes for easy maintenance of the components.
Outdoor Spa Installation: The Essential Preparations
The first thing that needs to be taken care of when installing an outdoor spa is the electrical wiring for the spa. The electrical wiring of the spa will usually originate from the inside of the house. Therefore, it will be necessary to drill a hole through the wall of the whose through which the electrical wiring will pass through. A PVC tube should be inserted through the drilled hole in the wall. The wiring for the spa will pass through this PVC tubing.
It might also be convenient to drill additional holes through the wall if you are planning to setup an outdoor audio system to go along with your outdoor spa at this point. You will need a larger hole for your outdoor speaker wiring.
Another consideration when you are installing an outdoor spa is the base of the spa unit itself. An outdoor spa unit with place enough for four persons can weigh up to 3,000 kilograms when fully loaded with water and the body weight of the four users of the outdoor spa. It is clearly very important that the base of the outdoor spa should be made to be strong enough so that it can support this weight. Failure to ensure the stability and strength of the base of the outdoor spa endangers the users of the spa and the unit itself.
Basically, there are three types of base installations that you need to consider when you are installing an outdoor spa. These are the deck installation of the outdoor spa, direct installation of the spa to the ground and a combination of both.
When you are installing the outdoor spa on to a deck, it is important to ensure that the deck be built to be strong enough to withstand the weight of the outdoor spa. If there is already an existing deck, it may be necessary to reinforce the deck. Once reinforced, it is best to place the outdoor spa on top of a rubber mat which should be larger in area to the outdoor spa. This rubber matting will help to reduce the vibrations that will occur once the outdoor spa is operating.
If, on the other hand, you are installing your outdoor spa directly above the ground, you will need to use a reinforced slab of concrete as the base of your outdoor spa. Also, some people have tried, with great results, placing their outdoor spa atop a bed of stone dust which has been compacted. It is important to establish the proper perimeter when you are installing an outdoor spa directly above ground. The base of the spa needs to be larger than the perimeter of the outdoor spa. At least it should have an overlap of 6 inches on each side of the outdoor spa unit. Some people would prefer putting a short staircase at the sides in order to make getting into the spa more convenient. If this is the case with your installation, it is important to take this into account and adjusting your perimeter accordingly.
This base of the outdoor spa will also include the electrical needed for the operation of the outdoor spa. It is important to make sure of the placement of the outdoor spa as well as the electrical conduit. The electrical conduit needs to be as close as possible to the electrical compartment of the outdoor spa. This is an important part of the installation provided that, once the setup has been established, changing the setup is impossible without some major work being done.
Once you have set up the base for your outdoor spa, it's time to place your outdoor spa unit on top of its base. The spa unit will require quite a lot of muscle to get itself positioned right. If the installation area for the outdoor spa has some obstacles, it may be necessary to use a crane for the installation. In the course of transporting the outdoor spa, make sure that it is transported in a vertical position in order to keep it from being damaged.
When you have finished securing your outdoor spa to its base, it's time to work with the electrical wiring of your outdoor spa. This is probably best done by a licenses electrician as the dangers of doing serious damage to the inner electrical workings of the outdoor spa unit is very high at this point, not to mention the risk of getting electrocuted yourself.
First off, check that all internal electrical components of the spa are properly connected. After that, you may then proceed to connecting the conduit wires to your spa. Make sure that your wiring is not yet connected to your breaker switch when you are doing this. Some outdoor spa models have terminals where you are to connect your wiring. This can make your job that much easier.
Most probably, you are going to need to install a dedicated ground fault circuit interrupter for your outdoor spa. A ground fault circuit interrupter is a very important device for your outdoor spa and is, in fact, required by law in many countries. Some outdoor spa units already have built in ground fault circuit interrupter. A ground fault circuit interrupter is a special electrical device which cuts off the power to the outdoor spa when it detects an imbalance in the electrical flow of device which may indicate that a person is touching an electrically energized part of the outdoor spa.
Once you have setup all those connections properly, you can then connect your wiring to your breaker switch and you are ready to turn on your outdoor spa.
Outdoor Spa Installation: Starting It Up
In turning on your outdoor spa, you are going to be referring a lot to the instruction manuals that came with your outdoor spas. The preparation for running an outdoor spa differs from model to model. This is because the specific preparation requirements can differ due to the inherent design of the outdoor spa.
As a general rule, these following steps should serve. First off, make sure that the internal water hoses of the spa have been properly set up. Fill the outdoor spa up with water, adding the necessary chemical components to it. Usually, the maker of the outdoor spa will have included a starter kit in the package. Start the pump of the outdoor spa and the water heater, paying careful attention to the instructions provided by the maker of the outdoor spa. You may need to add additional chemicals to the spa in order to reach the necessary chemical balance. In order to get the proper balance, you can test the water using test swabs which you wet with water from your outdoor spa.
Outdoor Spa Maintenance
Once your outdoor spa is up and going, don't forget to perform regular maintenance for it. Regular outdoor spa maintenance can ensure the long lifetime of your outdoor spa and reduce costs for you, from the cost of water chemicals to the cost of repairs needed due to neglect.
On a daily basis, you will need to check the chemical levels of your outdoor spa. You will also need to check the water level of your outdoor spa every week. Filter basket cleaning and inspection should be done every month as well as checking the water level. The spa should be emptied and cleaned at a minimum of four times a year.
An outdoor spa can also be used even during the cold winter months. All that is needed to be done is to heat the water in the outdoor spa to a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and leave the unit to run continuously. This will keep the waters calm and will also protect the water pipes of the outdoor spa from freezing over. Don't forget to shovel off the snow that accumulates on the cover of the outdoor spa regularly.
During the winter months, if it is not to be used, the outdoor spa needs special preparations so that it will not be damaged by the extremely low temperatures of the winter months. If you don't plan to use the spa during the winter months, you will need to completely empty out the outdoor spa and vacuum it with a wet-dry vacuum. Cover it good so that it does not get damaged by the cold and consider using anti-freeze on the pipes so that there will be no ice forming inside them.
Outdoor Spa Benefits: Hydrotherapy
Once known as hydropathy, hydrotherapy is an ancient natural healing technique that has been part of human civilization for many years. The practice of hydrotherapy is, perhaps, the most ancient medical treatment known to man.
The practice of hydrotherapy involves the healing of diseases and pains through the use of common water. Hydrotherapy has been used by many ancient civilizations such as the Romans, the Greeks and the Egyptians. Romans were known for their well appointed public baths on which many of their citizens would gather and take a break from their lives while taking a bath with the people of their community. Egyptians were also fond of baths, often mixing their baths with oils and flowers. Many eastern civilizations were also knowledgeable of the therapeutic effects of hot water springs and its ability to increase circulation so that hot water springs were one of the most famous places for people in the area to take a break and relax.
With your own outdoor spa, you can enjoy the benefits of hydrotherapy right at your home. Hydrotherapy primarily works due to the effects of having your body submerged in water. Water is a great cleanser for the body. It can also rehydrate the skin and rejuvenate the skin cells of the skin. Furthermore, the warm temperature of the outdoor spa encourages the body to increase its metabolism which results in the increase of the cleansing functions of the body.
The buoying effect of the water also has therapeutic effects on the body. The buoyancy that the body experiences allows for the body to take a break from the constant pressure of gravity. The muscles of the body can consequently relax more fully and pressure on the other organs of the body is temporarily relieved.
The most effective result of hydrotherapy is the increase in blood circulation that it encourages. This helps the body in removing the toxins that are stored in it.
An outdoor spa can pay for itself when you consider the benefits you reap due to its hydrotherapy capabilities. Hydrotherapy can greatly restore your body's health, soothing many pains and aches of the body, increasing the relaxation level of the body and increasing blood circulation which aids improving the body's natural immunity and the overall function of the body itself.
Outdoor Spa Benefits: Massage
Outdoor spas will also give you the benefit of a very relaxing and rejuvenating water massage. An outdoor spa will have specially placed water jets which can shoot high pressure water jets which massages you, loosening your muscles and helping you relax.
Furthermore, these water jets can deliver pressure in varying degrees, all of them under your control. Thus, if you find that the pressure is too painful for you, you can adjust the settings so that the water jets are less forceful. Once you get the just the right setting for you, you can lean back and relax as the water jets water-knead your body and release the tension of your muscles, relaxing you.
Outdoor Spa Benefits: Quick Romantic Getaway
There is no doubt that an outdoor spa can be a great way to get some sizzle into a relationship. The relaxing setting, the rejuvenating experience and the intimate activity of spending some time together in the outdoor spa can certainly fire up the romance between you and your loved one.
It is at times inescapable for you and your partner to drift away for a time. With the busy pace of work and home, it can be difficult to keep the close connection that you first experienced with your partner as strong as it was when you first fell in love. In order to avoid drifting altogether apart, you should try and set time aside for yourselves. Schedule some downtime in your outdoor spa to simply talk and while the hours away rekindling the flame between the two of you.
Outdoor Spa Benefits: Frolic with the Family
Have you noticed that keeping the family together for some fun times seems to involve a lot of effort from you? Do you find it perplexing that, in order to have a great time with your family, you need to pack up your bags and drive to far off places where you barely enjoy yourselves?
An outdoor spa is a great way to get the family together without all of that hassle of having to travel almost half way across the world. Every child in the world loves having watery fun and adults will also enjoy a dip in your outdoor spa. Avoid the hassle and the cost of traveling to distant places just to have some quality family fun. Shift the focus to your backyard and to your outdoor spa. Now your family need not wait for months to go to a great family vacation. You and your family can spend the best vacation right at your won backyard.
Outdoor Spa Benefits: Backyard Beauty
Your home is your castle and you should make it as beautiful and as cozy a castle as you possibly can. One of the best ways you can do this is to develop your background into a place where you and your family can have lots of fun.
There are a ton of additions you could put up in your backyard to make it not into a place of fun, play and refuge. One of the best additions you could ever add to your backyard is an outdoor spa. An outdoor spa can add beauty to your backyard. You'll love to invite friends to your home and show them your backyard and your outdoor spa. They'll be suitably impressed.
Outdoor Spa Benefits: Escape from the World
Everybody needs some downtime from the world. Everybody needs an escape hatch where they can retreat from the world for a while. An outdoor spa can be a great place for removing yourself from the world for a bit. It can be your watery sanctuary where you can collect your thoughts while warm water surrounds you and soft water jets massage your worries away.
So the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by the stresses and worries of your life, step into your outdoor spa, turn on the water jets and let your troubles dissolve with the bubbles.
The Outdoor Spa for Everyone
The best things in life are the simple pleasures that we sometimes tend to overlook. The time we spend with our family, the time we spend with our friends and the time we spend with ourselves are treasures beyond any price. Unfortunately, with the hustle and bustle of daily living, we often forget these things. We need to take time to take care of ourselves, to pamper ourselves even just a little, for just a short time.
So take a dip in your outdoor spa and relax. Forget about the troubles of your day and let yourself be content for a while. Let the warm water soothe you as it warms and rejuvenates your skin. Let the water jets massage your muscle aches and stresses away. Enjoy your outdoor spa dip and make it last.