Hot tubs are a great way to unwind and relax all year round, but should the water in one be clear?
Before the jets are turned on and the water starts bubbling away, it should be completely crystal clear. The water in a hot tub should never be cloudy or foamy in any way before it has been switched on. If it is, there could be bacterial contamination or a chemical imbalance in the water.
Read on to learn more about hot tubs and how they need to be maintained.
Hot Tubs Through The Ages
The benefits of hot water on the body have been recognized by humans for thousands of years. It’s thought that humans were experimenting with hot water since homo sapiens emerged some four hundred thousand years ago.
Of course, there were no water heaters, boilers, or hot tubs hundreds of thousands of years ago. Instead, early man had to rely on geothermal sites for the therapeutic benefits of warm water.
There have been extensive studies conducted into such practices, looking to explore the history of human therapy and recreation. We have tangible evidence of civilizations bathing in hot springs as far back as seven or eight thousand years ago.
It’s thought even these ancient cultures understood that hot water and bathing not only improved hygiene but general health. They likely used these practices to combat skin conditions, stress, joint and bone affiliations, and even to cure wounds.
Today, things are a little different, to say the least; we have hot tubs, steam showers, saunas, and all manner of heat treatments. There are hot stone massages, self-warming face masks, and of course, a good, old-fashioned bubble bath.
Modern hot tubs have been around for several decades now, having first been introduced in the mid-to-late sixties. There’s a common household name that’s credited for the creation of the hot tub, and there’s a fantastic chance you already know it.
In the 1950s, the Jacuzzi family was busy innovating and inventing, working on aviation and various kinds of pumps. They designed a submersible pump which would mark the first step on a long road to the hot tubs of today.
It was in 1968 that the first ‘integrated whirlpool bath’ was built by the Jacuzzi team, and it was known as the Roman. This bath was equipped with integrated jets, turning a regular tub into a rejuvenating spa system.
Today’s Tubs
It’s worth clearing up a misconception, for the sake of clarity. It’s a common mistake for people to call every hot tub a Jacuzzi, but this isn’t the case.
While every Jacuzzi is a hot tub, not every hot tub is a Jacuzzi. There’s a similar example in the term ‘jet ski’, which is actually one of the first mass-produced personal watercraft models released by Kawasaki in the seventies.
Not every personal watercraft is a jet ski, but every Jet Ski is a personal watercraft.
These days, a hot tub can come with a considerable price tag, and they range from basic, entry-level builds, to luxurious constructs. At the base level, a hot tub can cost anything from three to seven thousand dollars.
However, the top end can easily exceed fifteen thousand dollars, but you get the best quality build for your buck. At this end of the spectrum, you’ll have a hot tub that can hold as many as eight people for a variety of purposes.
As you might expect, these modern hot tubs are often dramatically advanced and highly technological. As such, they require a lot of care and maintenance to ensure they remain functioning as effectively as possible.
One of the most important things to consider with a hot tub is the water itself. At all times, this water should be crystal clear, and never cloudy, milky, or foamy.
If the water in your hot tub is cloudy or dirty, it can be an indicator of bacterial contamination or an imbalance of chemicals. These chemicals often consist of water sanitizers such as bromine or chlorine.
The water should also be changed regularly, and the hot tub should be kept tightly covered whenever it isn’t in use. It’s also recommended that all guests enjoying the hot tub should shower beforehand, to wash any contaminants from their skin.
If you follow the rules and pay attention to the advice, you’ll keep your considerable investment fully functioning for years. You can enjoy the benefits of hot water just as your ancestors did, hundreds of thousands of years ago.