Swim Spas Lake Tahoe | Lap Pools, Exercise Spas For Sale

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Let’s take a look at how having a hot tub impacts the value of your home. Hot tubs can be an investment for your property and can fit almost any budget. Hot tubs can be purchased for anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000.

But like any part of your home, how you care for it determines if it will have a positive effect on your home’s value, should you decide to sell it.

Hot Tubs at Permanent Residences

Portable hot tubs can be moved and for that reason may be considered personal property that can be taken with the homeowner when they leave the property. However, some homeowners decide to include their hot tub with the sale of their home.

Local Realtor Jim Forbus, of KRCH Realty in Reno, said about a quarter of the homes he sells have hot tubs that are sold with the house.

“A hot tub or spa, over a pool, is much more desirable,” he said, because you can use it daily and almost any time of the year.

He also has a hot tub at his own home.

Hot Tubs at Vacation Homes

Hot tubs are also very desirable at vacation destinations, which make up a large portion of the areas we serve, including Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz.

Vacation homes with hot tubs are much more likely to be rented than those without, making a hot tub a worthwhile investment. In those cases, hot tubs certainly increase property or rental value.

Added Value

Here at The Spa and Sauna Company, we commonly work with realtors and homeowners who purchase a hot tub to feature at a property to add value.

Recently, we had a customer come in to purchase a used Hot Spring Spa for their Graeagle property.

He had a deck which had a hole in it, because he had removed a hot tub from it.

Upon trying to sell the home, a few potential buyers remarked that the deck would be great, if it had a hot tub in it. He came in and bought one, and not long after, the property sold.

Maintenance

Like anything, how you care for a hot tub will determine if it adds value when you sell the property and hot tub.

Forbus said he recently worked with someone who had a hot tub that not well maintained and decided to remove it before listing the property.

Even so, with the popularity of hot tubs, having the wiring available for a hot tub hook up can be a selling bonus too.

“It it’s nice, I definitely feature it,” he said, of hot tubs that come with homes he sells.

To wrap up, hot tubs can be a definite bonus when living in or selling a home. And should you need assistance with hot tub cleaning and routine maintenance, click here for more info. We’re happy to help.

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Let’s take a look at how having a hot tub impacts the value of your home. Hot tubs can be an investment for your property and can fit almost any budget. Hot tubs can be purchased for anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000.

But like any part of your home, how you care for it determines if it will have a positive effect on your home’s value, should you decide to sell it.

Hot Tubs at Permanent Residences

Portable hot tubs can be moved and for that reason may be considered personal property that can be taken with the homeowner when they leave the property. However, some homeowners decide to include their hot tub with the sale of their home.

Local Realtor Jim Forbus, of KRCH Realty in Reno, said about a quarter of the homes he sells have hot tubs that are sold with the house.

“A hot tub or spa, over a pool, is much more desirable,” he said, because you can use it daily and almost any time of the year.

He also has a hot tub at his own home.

Hot Tubs at Vacation Homes

Hot tubs are also very desirable at vacation destinations, which make up a large portion of the areas we serve, including Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz.

Vacation homes with hot tubs are much more likely to be rented than those without, making a hot tub a worthwhile investment. In those cases, hot tubs certainly increase property or rental value.

Added Value

Here at The Spa and Sauna Company, we commonly work with realtors and homeowners who purchase a hot tub to feature at a property to add value.

Recently, we had a customer come in to purchase a used Hot Spring Spa for their Graeagle property.

He had a deck which had a hole in it, because he had removed a hot tub from it.

Upon trying to sell the home, a few potential buyers remarked that the deck would be great, if it had a hot tub in it. He came in and bought one, and not long after, the property sold.

Maintenance

Like anything, how you care for a hot tub will determine if it adds value when you sell the property and hot tub.

Forbus said he recently worked with someone who had a hot tub that not well maintained and decided to remove it before listing the property.

Even so, with the popularity of hot tubs, having the wiring available for a hot tub hook up can be a selling bonus too.

“It it’s nice, I definitely feature it,” he said, of hot tubs that come with homes he sells.

To wrap up, hot tubs can be a definite bonus when living in or selling a home. And should you need assistance with hot tub cleaning and routine maintenance, click here for more info. We’re happy to help.

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

The Spa and Sauna Company now has Clearance and Scratch and Dent Hot Tub Covers available at our Sparks Showroom, at 250 E. Glendale Ave., on the corner of McCarran Blvd. and Glendale Ave.

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

Should you use your hot tub in the winter or winterize it? Well, the answer depends on where your hot tub is located.

If you are frequently near your hot tub, we recommend using it! Hot tubs are very enjoyable in the winter, and all other seasons.

However, if your hot tub is at a vacation house that you don’t get to often in the winter, or if you expect to be away from your home spa for several weeks during the winter, we recommend winterizing your hot tub.

How do I winterize my hot tub?

Winterizing your hot tub can get complicated. We recommend consulting your specific Hot Tub’s Owner’s Manual for complete directions, should you choose to winterize your hot tub yourself. However, there are some steps involved that require tools that might not be in the average person’s  toolkit.

At The Spa and Sauna Company, we have factory-trained service technicians available to winterize your hot tub for you. Call us at 775-852-3838 or Click Here to fill out a form to request service.

Using your hot tub in the winter

Now, if you plan to use your hot tub in the winter, and we hope you do, there are a few extra things to be aware of that you wouldn’t have to consider in warmer months.

Opening your hot tub in the winter

Before you open your hot tub cover, you want to make sure to remove any snow or ice on it, so snow and ice doesn’t fall into the hot tub or freeze on the cover.

Sitting in your hot tub in the winter

Keep your hot tub at its normal operating temperature. Be sure to limit your winter hot tub time to 15  minutes because it’s more difficult for your body to regulate its temperature when you are sitting in hot water with your shoulders and head exposed. Consider wearing a hat, to help you regulate your temperature better. Enjoy that soak!

Getting out of your hot tub in the winter

You will be cold after stepping out of a warm hot tub and into cold winter air. Be prepared and bring a towel or warm bathrobe that you can put on upon getting out of the hot tub. You might want to consider a spa side towel tree, which is available for purchase at The Spa and Sauna Company.

Also, be mindful of any snow or ice on the ground outside, you don’t want to slip. Flip-flops or slippers are a good idea. So is keeping a nice, clear path to your hot tub, so you can enjoy a soak any time.

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

A hot tub is a luxury item and you want to make the best investment possible. So how long does a hot tub last? Well the answer depends, in part, on how you care for it.

Hot Tub Care and Maintenance

Like cars, which also have mechanical elements, such as motors and heaters, as well as routine maintenance items that have to be changed periodically, like filters, and a gorgeous exterior to care for, the quality of the hot tub brand you purchase and how you care for it will determine how long your hot tub lasts. We’ve even met customers who have had the same hot tub since the late 1980s!

Also similar to car buyers, many hot tubbers like to upgrade every 7-10 years, to take advantage of new designs, features and technological advancements.

High-End Models

At The Spa and Sauna Company, we’ve worked on high-end hot tubs in the field, that we also sell in our showrooms, that have been over 20 years old. Some last 25 to 30 years!

Entry-Level Spas

Even more entry-level spas hot tubs can last 15 years. We’ve seen entry-level spas that people kept for 10 years, traded in, and we have resold as used hot tubs to new customers. Those hot tubs still have a lot of life in them!

Replacing Parts

A quality hot tub brand in a higher model series can last over 20 years when maintained properly. Though components of the tub may need to be replaced on occasion, the price to replace parts is minimal, especially when you consider the years of enjoyment and therapeutic value that a hot tub provides.

Larger Investment, Longer Enjoyment

Some advantages of the higher-end models include higher-quality jets, longer warranties, and quality therapeutic value. This is definitely something to consider while shopping for a hot tub. Sometimes making a larger up-front investment will extend your enjoyment of your hot tub in the later years of its life.

To shop hot tubs now, Click Here to visit our Hot Tub Finder. This handy web page allows you to explore options by brand or seating capacity.

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

The Spa and Sauna company recommends you drain and clean your hot tub every 4 months, unless you have an ACE salt water system. Then you can drain every 6 months. You can do your Drain and Clean yourself or you can have our one of our skilled Concierge Techs do it for you.

If you do want to do your Drain and Clean yourself, here’s what you need to do.

Locate where the drain is located on your hot tub.

Drains are located in different locations depending on the brand and model of the hot tub.

On all Caldera and Hot Spring models it is located on the base below the front panel (on the same side as the control board). Keep in mind that the higher-level models have extra amenities to make draining easier. Consider the Hot Spring Highlife NXT and Highlife which have one drain for equipment and one for the whole vessel. Or the Caldera Paradise and Utopia, which have a valve that slides out. You pull it out and hook it to a hose (which you have detached from your house) and then push it half way back in for draining. Similarly, the Sundance 880 has two options for draining, a drain on the exterior of the siding and inside the cabinet a quick drain, which requires less time.

Freeflow Spas have a drain at the base not far away from the outlet.

Draining your spa using the Side Drains can take up to 6 hours. Typically, when we drain your spa, we siphon the water out using a sump pump to save time. You can purchase a sump pump for yourself if you desire faster drain times.

If your model accommodates it, hook a hose up to the drain to allow the water to come out faster.

It is typically more difficult to insert a hose on Caldera Vacanza, Hot Spring Hot Spot, and Freeflow Models. If cleaning your spa at home yourself is an important consideration, we recommend you consider upgrading to a model that allows for more simple draining.

While you wait for your spa to drain, The Spa and Sauna Company recommends you use this time to clean your filter.

Filters should be sprayed down with a hose monthly or soaked in Filter Cleaner and then sprayed with a hose before inserting back in to your spa every 4 months. If you soak your filter and drain your spa at the same time, you don’t lose any valuable hot tub time!

Once the spa is mostly empty, use a shop vac or even a bucket to get any remaining water out of the seats and footwell.

Our pros always use a shop vac.

You’ll also want to open your equipment compartment and vacuum out any cobwebs, dust or dirt.

Although you won’t see this from outside your spa, it’s important to keep the inside of your spa clean too.

Once the spa is drained, it’s time to clean it.

We recommend a mitt, washcloth or rag, and using BioGuard Off The Wall to clean the shell of your hot tub. We also suggest wearing gloves as the solution can be hard on your skin. Off The wall will clean dirt, stains, grease and scale. You will want to apply it all over the tub. Let it sit for a few minutes and then scrub it off. Rinse well with water.

We also suggest cleaning your pillows with water only.

You can also use this time to use The Original Gel-Gloss Polish and Protector on the shell.

Finally, use 303 Protectant on the cover and panels.

Put the drain cap back on.

This is one of the easiest but also one of the most important steps!

Refill the hot tub by inserting a hose through the filter as if you were filling the spa for the first time.

Then it’s time to wait.

Once the water is above the jet level, you can turn the power back on and allow the spa to begin to heat.

Depending on how cold the water was, and what kind of hot tub you have, your hot tub should warm up about 2 – 6 degrees per hour.

You will want to wait until the water has reached 80 degrees before testing the water and adjusting the chemicals.

Then the spa can continue to heat to your ideal temperature.

A few final reminders:

If you happen to have hard water or well water, you will want to add Stain and Scale Control at this time.

If you have an ACE hot tub, you will want to put Vanishing Act in for 24 hours, and flip it after 12 hours.

And that’s it, your final step is to get in and enjoy your hot tub!

If you prefer to have our Concierge Techs perform this service for you, we’d be happy to help. Please call us at 775-852-3838 or Click Here.

This instructional video will address a question we hear frequently. How do I pair my Hot Spring Remote to my Hot Spring Spa? Watch the video for a step-by-step tutorial.

This instructional video will address a question we hear frequently. How do I pair my Hot Spring Remote to my Hot Spring Spa? Watch the video for a step-by-step tutorial.

By Laura Varnon, Marketing Coordinator

A swim spa installation is a big project. There’s nothing to fear, though. With the help of the professionals at The Spa and Sauna Company, your swim spa installation should go very smoothly.

Before you make your purchase, we highly recommend you have one of our Endless Pool Swim Spa experts provide you with a Backyard Consultation (a complimentary visit which includes a salesperson visiting your home.) During this no-obligation assessment, a Spa and Sauna Company Sales Professional will discuss optimal placement in your yard, and desired privacy and view. You will also learn about the placement of the swim spa’s subpanel and placement wiring – which will be completed by your electrician. Our specialist will also discuss cover options and how they affect privacy and view. If you have or want steps or a deck, that will be reviewed as well.

There are a few things you need to do to prepare for delivery.

You will need:

• A 6-inch reinforced concrete pad. Coordinate placement of conduit with contractor and electrician. You may decide to run conduit under a newly poured concrete pad.
• 60 Amp 220 service. Endless Pools come with 60 amp subpanel to be installed by your electrician. Details are available in your owner’s manual.
• A crane company, that you have researched, if a crane is required for your swim spa delivery. Crane-assisted installation is part of the delivery, but not included from The Spa and Sauna Company. We can provide references that we have worked with before. We will also gladly coordinate schedules once you have selected your crane provider. If you need recommendations on a crane company, please contact our Delivery Supervisor at 775-852-3838.
• To know exactly where you would like your swim spa to be placed to ensure proper orientation for desired privacy and/or view.

You can do these steps before you shop, while your spa is being ordered (which can take 6-8 weeks), or even after your swim spa has arrived at our warehouse if necessary.

After you have selected your Endless Pool and have heard from our delivery department that it has arrived you will want to:

• Fill out your Pre-Delivery Form, which will come to you via email. This form can have descriptions and photographs of access ways and your yard attached to it, which will make it easier to plan for a smooth delivery.
• Sign any required forms. These may include financing paperwork or waivers.
• Make sure access by crane is available, if needed.
• Be prepared to have your electrician come back a second time to hook up your swim spa. The delivery crew at The Spa and Sauna Co. of Reno does not perform electrical hookups, but we can provide you with a list of vendors we have worked with in the past. There is no need to have your electrician on site during the delivery.
• Be prepared to be present on the day of your delivery. This way the delivery crew can place the swim spa exactly where you would like it. They can also give you some instructions on how to use and care for your swim spa.
• If you haven’t paid your balance in full prior to delivery, know you will be expected to pay the remainder at the time of delivery.
• And finally, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We are here to help!

On the day of installation, enjoy the show. Most Swim Spas require a crane to get into the backyard. Once it has been lowered close to its final destination, it will rest on several bags of ice. This is done so that the protective cables can be removed. As the ice slowly melts, the swim spa gradually lowers into place. It’s quite a sight to see.

We hope this guide has made you feel more comfortable with the steps involved in preparing for your Endless Pools delivery.