Wood Hot Tub Faq's

Do wooden hot tubs leak?

This is a common problem amongst wood hot tubs. This is due to the wood expanding and contracting as much as 2% when it gets wet or dries out between the coopered wood staves. Generally this problem will cease if the water is left in after 3 weeks but a lot of water is wasted in this process. This is especially a problem in tubs without filtration systems that need to be empties and refilled as regularly as every 3 uses. Our new TubCoat™ system is a transparent flexible coating system that covers the inside of the hot tub. This not only prevents the hot tub from leaking but stops bacteria breading in the thousands of microscopic holes in the woods surface that can cause hot tub rash.

What is the life expectancy of a wood hot tub?

Our range of hot tubs are build from Themowood™. In this process it ungoes 3 stages of heating and drying, this gives it both improved stability, increased insulation properties & anti-decay protection.

The inside wood of the hot tub is protected by the TubCoat™ system meaning that the water in the hot tub never comes in contact with the wood. Because of this process we could easily expect our hot tubs to last in excess of 10 years if treated correctly and components properly serviced. All components come with a 2 year warranty as standard.

Is there any colour leakage from the wood in your hot tubs?

The short answer is no, the TubCoat™ system means water never comes into contact with wood. In conventional wooden hot tubs the tannin in the wood leaches out into the water and gives it a mercy brown colour that will stain the skin. The sanitiser speeds up this process. The although this does eventually go this can take several months to fully dissipate.

Does the wood need treating?

This depends on the look you are after, Thermowood™ naturally turns to a silver colour if left, alternatively you can oil to retain its new look. The inside TubCoat™ may need touching up if sharp object are allowed to scratch the surface, this can be done using the supplied kit.

Are wood hot tubs difficult to keep clean?

With the TubCoat™ system certainly not, because there are no pours for bacteria to get in and bread, giving it no breading ground the water treatment products are able to sterilize the water. You only have to look at any commercial kitchen and see why wooden chopping boards are banned from commercial kitchens.

How much do wooden spas cost to run?

This is a bit of a how long is a piece of string question as it depends on many variables including outside temperature, usage, position etc. We offer a insulated model that will keep the running costs down. To give you an idea a standard electric tub will cost between £1.5 - £3 per day in the depths of winter to keep hot. Wood heating obviously depends on the source but on average it will take one bag of logs to get the wooden tub upto temperature.

Can wood hot tubs be used all year?

Why not? There’s nothing like Christmas in the hot tub with snow all around. Make sure you position the wooden hot tub near the house though so its just a hop skip and a jump away.  

What site preparation is required?

6” concrete base, a hose near by for filling the hot tub and a power supply (size dependant on the spec)

What would be the best location for my wooden hot tub?

This will be down to the asthetics of your garden along with the proximity to services. We personally would recommend a sheltered area away from the wind and prying eyes. Indoor hot tubs will need adequate ventilation and a modified spec.

Can a wood hot tub be sunk in the ground?

When full and occupied, your hot tub will weigh about 2 tons. It must therefore stand on a solid base. As long as levels allow tub draining to take place and there is no obstruction to airflow around the base, your hot tub can be sunken, or have decking built around it.

What are the heating options?

Wood, Gas & Electric we detail the pro’s & cons of each.

How much water does a wooden hot tub use & how regularly do I need to change the water?

Our hot tubs take between 1.5 & 3 cubic metres of water, because of the filtration system & TubCoat™ they only need to be emptied and refilled 5 times per year. @£0.60 averages cost per cubic metre gives a max cost of £9 per annum if on a water meter.

Is a pump system noisy?

In short no, they are installed in an insualted box and can only be hear within about  1m of the tub. When you are in the tub this if virtually inaudiable.

How many people will the hot tub it seat?

Depending on the size and how cosy you mind being, between 4 & 8 see individual tub for spec.  

Does the wood in the hot tub get slippery?

This is only a problem in wooden tubs without TubCoat™. As the pours will allow biofilm to form (the slime around a bacteria. This is slippery if not regularly scrubbed and disinfected.

Do I need chemicals?

All hot tubs need some form of sanitizer to kill the bacteria we put in their on our bodies. Unfortunately hot water is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. We do have several options include active oxygen a new form of bacteria killing compound. We recomend you contact the British & Irish Hot Tub Assocation for advice on this, We are the only BISHTA trained wooden hot tub company in the UK. 

How do I keep my wooden hot tub clean?

Simply regular chemical treatment and the filtration system should take care of the rest.

How do I empty the tub?

Either through the plug hole or with the use of a submersible pump if you are looking to send the water to a drain.

Won't the water hurt my plants?

No, by the time the water is emptied most of the chemicals will have oxidised off, you can help this by leaving the cover off and activating the pumps. We don’t suggest watering your vegetables with it but the grass is fine.