Spas, or “hot tubs” as they are more commonly called have made their way into millions of backyards across the globe. From Copenhagen to Cleveland families and friends gather for the ritual of a good hot soak. Most people who have had the opportunity to enjoy a spa are quick to express that there is almost nothing more enjoyable than settling deep into in a nice warm hot tub to take the chill off and relax, especially during the cool months between fall and spring.
Along with the pleasure of spa ownership comes the reality that it is a functioning piece of equipment that has parts including a motor, heaters, valves, controls, pipes and insulation. The longevity and resilience of your spa varies based on the make and manufacturer of your spa, and if you take the time to learn the difference before your purchase it will help you manage your expectation from the beginning.
A good spa dealer will make time to explain to you the difference between the spas they offer and where the value is so you can make an educated decision on how much to spend. Energy consumption and chemicals required for water maintenance for example are good to know. But that is not all that goes into a good dealer relationship, because just like car ownership there are things you can do together to have your spa remain an important part of your life.
Take the time to ask your dealer about additional care and maintenance, understand your warrantee, ask about how to continue care after the warrantee has expired. Will your dealer still be there for you to call on and what to expect from their service team. Learn about the things you can do for yourself and when it makes sense to call for help.
Fortunately reputable spa manufacturers thoroughly test their spas before they leave the factory. For instance Dream Maker Spas performs a 24 hour water test on their spas before they are approved to leave the testing area and move on to the preparation and shipping department. This allows time for the spa to demonstrate the motor and controls operated properly, the heater activates and there are no leaks. Quality control such as this provides confidence to the dealer and helps them feel good about the spas they sell to you, the customer.
Additionally, trusted manufacturers, such as Dream Maker Spas stand behind their dealer and remain ready with back-up supplies in case they are needed. They even make maintenance videos available so the dealers can help train their technicians on the best practices for servicing their spas.
If you purchased your spa a number of years ago and find that your dealer has moved or no longer available, take the time to seek out another local dealer in advance that sells the same line of spas, so when the need arises you are not scrambling to get help from an unknown source before a fun family gathering. Dream Maker Spas has a “find a dealer” feature on their website dreammakerspas.com that allows you to search your area for reputable dealers.
If a dealer is not found in your area, you can call the factory service desk and they can often lead you in the right direction.
Following these simple suggestions can help you get the most out of your hot tub.