Hot tubs and spas are a multimillion dollar business in the United States. As these amenities increase their appeal, they are becoming more and more common in health spas, locker rooms, hotels, cruise ships, and especially in the home. The Complete Spa Manual for Homeowners will provide you with all the information you need to know about hot tubs and spas, whether you are looking to buy one or already own one. In this book, you will learn how to determine what you want and what you need, how to clean your spa, how to install your spa, and how to control the settings on your spa. You will learn about the health benefits of hot water, including hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, chromotherapy, and Watsu. You will also learn about soft sided spas, acrylic spas, cabinets, pumps, flow rate, skimmers, suction ports and drains, jets, special waters, covers, ozonators, heaters, permanent spas, blowers, spa packs, plumbing issues, alkalinity, water hardness, temperature, sanitizers, oxidizers, water analysis, the PH scale, and test kits. Also included is a discussion of cartridges, including sand and diatomaceous earth (DE), and water chemistry. Additionally, The Complete Spa Manual for Homeowners will provide you with tips for buying, realistic cost estimates, winterizing, and upgrade options. You will also find countless tricks and tools of the trade, as well as a directory of Web sites and manufacturers that sell low-cost replacement parts. This book is a source for easy-to-understand instructions for installation and repair and much, much more. Whether you have a spa or hot tub for personal use or you are a business in the health care industry, this book will be your ultimate resource for buying, installing, and caring for your spa. The author s vast knowledge on the topic makes this book an engaging read that will simultaneously teach you everything you need to know.
I was specifically interested in the "therapy" part of the book and it didn't disappoint. However, I learned much more about the care of the spa than I had expected to. Aside from health benefits and patio design Dan Hardy provides information on how to make a decision on what type of spa would work best for you.
I found the section on equipment very interesting. I hadn't thought about how the spa actually works or what it entails before. I also found of much interest the sections on water chemistry and chemicals/cures. It has given me a better understanding for maintaining our spa and the importance of keeping balance in check. Although we've had our spa for seven years there was much I didn't know.
This is a book that should be read before purchasing a spa so that you are aware of everything before talking to a sales person. Your knowledge will prevent you from being sold a spa that isn't conducive to your needs or elements. Highly recommended.