Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of a wooden tub?
They're beautiful, rustic, traditional, they are very deep and feel wonderful.
Since they are assembled on site, they can be easily shipped and fit just
about anywhere. They are aesthetically pleasing. Traditional, natural
wooden tubs offer a silent steaming refuge from the stresses
of modern life. They are deeper than plastic spas, giving you complete immersion and feeling of buoyancy. Deeper tubs have less heat-losing
surface area. The cedar smells sweet and wonderful. And they are NOT mass
produced and made of plastic. Our customers appreciate the aesthetics
of a beautiful wooden object - the touch, smell, beauty and craftsmanship
of a hand-made item. We have a reverence for wood!
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How do wooden tubs hold water?
We use high quality clear cedar and our tubs are made with care and
precision. Just like a wooden boat, the wood swells in the presence of
water to form a tight seal. It is normal for a wooden tub to seep some
water for the first few days as it swells tight.
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What is the best way to heat my tub?
Depending on your situation you can use propane, natural gas, electricity
, or even wood to heat your tub. For a deluxe tub with jets, you will want to choose the SmarTouch 1000 electric or gas heater. For economy check out the Chofu
Propane Heater with its silent simplicity. If you have wood to burn take a look at our Chofu Wood Heater. See menu at left for other heating
options.
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What advantages do the Chofu heaters have?
The Chofu heaters are simple, non-electric, quiet, economical and
efficient. They are on-demand heaters designed for outdoor use. On-demand means that the heater is only turned on when you intend to use the tub. This results in lower heating costs. The Chofu
propane heater adds the convenience of a timer that helps control the
temperature. See Chofu propane, Chofu
wood
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How does the Chofu compare to inside-the-tub wood heaters?
The exterior Chofu heater has many advantages over submerged inside-the-tub heaters such as the Snorkel Stove. Inside heaters take up up to 1/3 of the interior space of your tub. The Chofu does not. Inside heaters prevent the use of a full coverage insulated top so heat is lost. The Chofu heated
tub can use a full coverage thermal blanket and cover so less heat is
lost. The water level can be set much lower to eliminate wasted overflow.
Unlike interior wood-fired heaters the Chofu introduces no wood debris
or ash into the water - helping to keep things nice and clean. The Chofu
propane heater adds the convenience of a timer that helps control the
temperature.
Top How long does it take to heat up?
The Chofu heater heat at 10 to 30 degrees per hour depending on the size of the tub. If the tub is used on a regular basis, the water in the tub will not cool off much between uses. The SmarTouch Heaters keep the water warm at all times.
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How hot will the tub get?
The SmarTouch Heaters heat to the industry standard maximum of 104 degrees. The Chofu heaters are not controlled by thermostat, so the user controls the maximum temperature.
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How much does it cost to operate a hot
tub?
Many factors here make a simple answer difficult. Our simple Chofu
heaters are the most economical to operate. Tub size,
air temperatures, heating system, frequency of use, and energy rates all
enter the equation. Expect monthly costs from $15 to $50.
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How do tubs ship and how much does shipping
cost?
We crate our tubs professionally and truck them to you. We can ship very economically so don't
let our location discourage you. Our hot tubs are usually shipped knocked down
as a kit to be assembled on your site.
For example, trucking to Western States is typically $150-$250, Eastern States about $300-$400. International shipping rates are very reasonable as
well - often less than shipping within the US. Remember customers from
outside our area are sales tax exempt as well. If you provide a US zip
code or international destination, we will get a shipping estimate for
you. Crating costs $150. Assembled tubs have additional shipping costs.
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How hard are tubs to assemble?
Our tubs are designed to be easily assembled by the owner. Each
tub comes with a detailed step by step illustrated instruction manual.
Typical assembly time is about 3-4 hours and requires minimal tools: a
couple of wrenches, a level, and a rubber mallet. The heating system will
take from 1 to 5 hours to install. If you are not comfortable setting
up your tub, you can hire someone to do it. If you have an electric or
gas heater, these connections will need to be made by qualified professional.
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What site preparation is needed?
Tubs can be installed on a deck, concrete pad, loose gravel bed, or indoors. Your site needs to be level. A cement
slab is an ideal foundation for a tub. A gravel pad will work as an economical
alternative as long as the soil underneath is stable and compact. Deck installations are common as well, provided that
the deck is engineered to handle the weight. For deck or indoor installations
it is crucial to have a professional check for proper support. A tub full
of water is very heavy - see tables. The critical
thing is to have a stable foundation. If the support settles unevenly,
the tub can be stressed causing leakage.
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Where is the best location for my tub?
There is no definitive answer to this question of course, but there
are a few things to keep in mind. The closer to the house, the more you
may use it. A deck with a tub right outside the bedroom is very convenient.
Proximity to power or gas sources may be a requirement. Privacy and setting
are important. If you want to set your tub in a secluded spot away from
it all, consider using one of our non-electric thermosyphon heaters.
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Can I install my tub indoors?
Yes. Choose the electric heating system for indoor tubs. The room should have adequate ventilation. The floor needs to be able to support the weight of a tub. The floor should be a "wet" floor with a central drain so that any water that splashes or overflows is taken away safely. A 220 volt electric circuit will be required for the heater.
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How heavy is the tub when it's full of
water?
See Table. Each 100 gallons of water
weighs about 800 lbs. So a large tub could easily weigh 2 tons! For example
a 6'x3' tub full of water will weigh approximately 4000 lbs.
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How hard are wooden tubs to maintain?
Cedar tubs are easy to maintain. Unlike tubs made of artificial materials,
wooden tubs don't blister or fade. We recommend brushing on an
occasional coat of teak oil or diluted mineral oil and turpentine on the outside
only to keep the cedar looking glorious! Cleaning the inside amounts
to an occasional scrubbing with a soft brush, disinfectant and a good
rinse.
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Do I need to use pool or spa chemicals
to keep the water clean?
No. And yes. Fresh clean water is what you want in your tub. Warm water in a hot tub will get unsanitary quickly unless you are proactive. There are a lot of so-called "non-chemical" sanitation products that are mostly wishful thinking. To have safe water without being a chemist, we recommend using the "bank and activate" sodium bromide salt approach. This is a very simple, safe, and vigorous way to keep your tub water safe for your family. Using this system your tub water is healthy to bath in and safe for the environment. By choosing the optional ionizer, you can reduce the need for sodium bromide by about 80%. The details are included in the instructions that come with your tub. This type of system is available for all of our tubs.
For remote installations without electricity, use of hydrogen peroxide and frequent water changes are our recommendation.
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What size tub do I need?
There are many factors to consider here. Your budget, water availability,
heating system, and expected use. Small tubs are economical, large tubs
handle more people. We recommend that you size the tub for the number of people that will use in on a normal day - not the occasional party. Check our section on Size.
Give us a call and we can help you make the best choice.
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Do you make custom sized tubs?
Yes we do. Call us to discuss your plan. Additional charges will apply in some cases. Contact us...
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What about freezing temperatures?
Cold weather was made for hot tubbing! It is crucial to have a good
thermal cover and a floating blanket. Cedar is a good natural insulator
- and our tubs have been performing very well from Alaska to Maine. Our simple
Chofu heaters drain quickly and easily to prevent damage. Our spa heaters have a thermostat and freeze protection that keeps the water warm and moving during cold weather. In some areas bitter cold weather makes use of the tub impractical during the coldest times. Heating costs will be higher in winter. If you expect to be away
or don't intend to use your tub during freezing temperatures, drain it
- leaving about 2 inches of water in the very bottom. This helps keep
the tub bottom sealed without doing damage. Never let a full wooden tub
freeze solid. Be sure to drain the heater, pump and filter.
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Do you have a guarantee?
Our tubs and equipment have a limited warranty for a full 2 years against defects in material
or workmanship. Because of the natural resistance of Western Red Cedar,
your tub will give you up to 25 years of service. Covers are have a limited 4 year warranty.
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