How To Add Warmth to Your Poolscape this Winter: Add a Spa

When it comes to your outdoor oasis, the need to winterize it often brings less-than-celebratory emotions. If you live in part of the country that disallows you from using your swimming pool during the coldest months of the year, we have good news for you: you can incorporate some elements into your backyard poolscape that allow its usefulness to extend even into freezing temperatures. One of those items is a hot tub.

A Little Jacuzzi® History

Also referred to as spas, the first cultures to realize the healing benefits of warm water features recorded the use of bathhouses surrounding natural hot springs as early as the eighth century. Then when the Romans made advancements to plumbing, they realized how wonderful it was to use pipes to carry hot water from the furnace where it was heated to pools.

Fast forward to the 1950s, when a member of the Jacuzzi family was struggling with arthritis. Brothers who were relatives of the sufferer had made careers of designing aviation solutions as well as agricultural pumps. They used their understanding of hydraulics to invent a pump for the purpose of hydrotherapy, which they called the J-300. This portable pump was used to transform standard bathtubs into spas which they branded as Jacuzzis®, establishing an important start in what would become known as the “wellness industry.”

A Few Jacuzzi Solutions

On one end, a Jacuzzi can be part of your pool’s original installation with a fully integrated design. But if it’s too late for that, don’t worry: there are still many ways to incorporate a cold-weather-friendly water feature into your poolscape. Even an inflatable hot tub can provide the kind of relaxing, warm water that will soothe your muscles and your soul.

Just like your pool, caring for your spa will help protect your investment and extend its lifespan. A good cover is paramount, especially since they double as insulation, helping keep the water — and its heat — inside the tub. Since warm water evaporates more quickly than cooler water, and colder temperatures further speed up that process, you’ll want to splurge on a well-insulated, waterproof cover that fits your hot tub perfectly. Even with a premium, custom-fit cover, you’ll want to be vigilant about water level. Check the level after each use as well as every 2-3 days (if you go that long between soaking sessions).

As much as we love the fact that a hot tub can be enjoyed much longer than an outdoor swimming pool, you’ll still want to drain and fill it before the temps plunge below freezing. Water in the pipes can still freeze, if you’re running water through them once it gets too cold.

You can help keep the water clean, reducing the need to drain and refill your Jacuzzi during the extreme cold, by taking a quick shower to rinse off any products that could leave residue. During the colder months, you’ll also want to exercise caution when it comes to running the jets. By keeping them lower, you’ll reduce exposing more water surface to the surrounding air, thereby reducing heat loss.

Continue reading with Part 2.

Lyon Financial

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.