Marquis Spas Blog

Hot tubs are a great addition to any home, but how do you keep them in optimal condition? Read our blog to learn some essential hot tub maintenance tips.

When installing a hot tub, it is important to consider your patio and landscaping design. Read on to learn how to create an inviting, luxurious space.

A swim spa combines the benefits of a full-sized swimming pool with the convenience of a hot tub. Read about the many health benefits of owning a swim spa.

An Oxygen Beauty Spa is a haven where science meets beauty to enhance your skin's vitality. Learn more with these frequently asked questions

4 Ways To Surprise A Partner With A Hot Tub Holiday Gift A hot tub spa makes an ideal holiday gift that can last for years to come, but the large size of a hot tub makes the installation and

A hot tub offers a lot of ways to relax and comes with many physical benefits for your body and mind. Read on to learn more helpful information.

Before guests gather for your next backyard bash, take a look at what you need to know about hot tub care, maintenance, and party preparation in this blog.

The best way to ensure your new hot tub stays fun and stress-free is to have good safety practices regarding it. Read this hot tub safety guide for tips.

If you’re considering adding a hot tub to your short-term rental property, read this blog for more information on the subject.

Hot tubs give you a great way to relax and can offer many different health benefits. Learn how a hot tub can improve your overall mental health.

Consider capacity before you invest in a hot tub. Discover questions customers have about hot tubs, capacity limits, sizing, and buying options.

As you choose the location for your new hot tub, learn some of the ways you can replicate a resort's design and have your own personal oasis.

During football season, many fans like to enjoy hours of games. Check out some ways a hot tub spa could add to a new football-watching tradition.

If you want to purchase a hot tub, you may have some questions about what to expect. Read this blog to find the answers to your questions.

If it freezes or snows where you live, you probably “winterize” the family car each year. Meaning, you take steps to improve your car’s engine performance and drivability during wintertime. However, “winterizing” a hot tub or swim spa means something different. It involves thoroughly draining and disabling your spa, and safely storing critical components (like pumps) for an extended period of time. Total reading time: About 6 minutes Do You Need to Winterize Your Spa? (43 seconds) Layers of Built-in Protection (1 minute 17 seconds) Winterizing Due to the Coronavirus—Why? (50 seconds) The Do’s and Don’ts of Winterizing (1 minute 25 seconds) What About Draining and Refilling in Winter? (1 minute 5 seconds) We Care About You (38 seconds)

The personal benefits of owning a hot tub are plentiful: a beautiful patio or indoor spa space; at-home stress relief; a nice place to soak and warm up during the fall and winter months. But when it comes to your health, is there any scientific support for hot tub ownership? You bet. Not only is your hot tub a great place to relax, but it’s the perfect therapeutic environment for people dealing with pain management issues, strained muscles, and arterial diseases. Physical therapists and medical specialists truly believe in the ability of hot tub therapy to soothe and treat many medical conditions. PAIN MANAGEMENT AND HOT TUB THERAPY “Everyone should understand heating the same way everyone knows how to put on a Band-Aid. It is a cheap, drugless way of helping an amazing array of pain problems related to muscle dysfunction, especially neck and back pain” ( Paul Ingraham .) Heat is a universal pain treatment that has been used for thousands of years for a variety of injuries, strains and chronic illnesses. Heat therapy is the primary course of action for people suffering from chronic pain such as that of fibromyalgia or arthritis . Heat works to relax blood vessels and muscles, bringing in nutrients and oxygen that help to repair any damage and relieve inflammation. Whether you are suffering from short-term or chronic pain, soaking in a hot tub provides genuine relief. MUSCLE THERAPY WITH COLD AND HOT TEMPERATURES “In general, a new injury will cause inflammation and possibly swelling. Ice will decrease the blood flow to the injury, thereby decreasing inflammation and swelling. Pain that recurs can be treated with heat, which will bring blood to the area and promote healing” ( University of Utah Health Care .) Although acute pain caused from intense muscle strain or physical injury should first be cooled with ice, secondary heat therapy is almost always recommended. The combination of cold and hot temperatures first prevents further damage to pulled and strained muscles, and then provides relief. After a strenuous workout or a muscle injury, doctors and physical therapists recommend that their patients apply a cold ice pack to the affected area to bring down acute swelling and stop further stretching and pulling at the muscle. Once this process is finished, it’s time to rewarm the muscle, and the hot tub is an ideal place to do so. COLDNESS AS A SYMPTOM People that suffer from constant feelings of cold may be suffering from a blood vessel problem such as Reynaud’s Disease or arteriosclerosis – in which case they are generally advised not to enter a hot tub. On the other hand, people without weakened arteries that suffer coldness as a symptom of diabetes, chronic fatigue, anemia and other illnesses can freely enjoy the warming benefits of a personal hot tub. If you suffer from cold due to a non-arterial problem, the hot tub will not only provide soothing and instant warmth, but it will relax your constricted blood vessels and allow more blood to flow to your hands and feet. Medical practitioners specifically recommend not entering a communal pool or hot tub while sick or chronically ill as these public spaces may not be properly cleaned. Your own private hot tub, however, is the ideal place to relax and warm up. GO SOAK, WARM UP AND GET HEALTHY! Hot tubs can go hand-in-hand with a healthy lifestyle and positive physical therapy. If you suffer from chronic pain, symptoms of coldness or regular muscle fatigue, your own personal hot tub can make a big different in your normal routine.

Few things go better with a soak in the hot tub than a soothing aroma that glides along the surface of the water and envelopes you. Aromatherapy is a practice used by holistic health practitioners who believe that certain fragrances have the ability to soothe and heal the body. Adding fragrances to your hot tub will most definitely intensify your relaxation and therapy experience, but it’s important to choose the scents carefully before pouring them in. WHICH FRAGRANCES ARE OKAY TO USE WITH A HOT TUB? Fragrance is the general term for any scented oil. Oil is a good carrier for aroma since it protects the delicate structure of the cologne and it is easy to add to skin care products, perfumes and – of course – hot tubs. Oils that are colored could leave stains on the sides of your hot tub, so it is important to use only hot tub-friendly products. Other fragrance products, such as time-released scent capsules, can not only stain your hot tub but leave small pieces that can clog the filtration system. It’s best to avoid these altogether and focus on pure fragranced oils or crystals that are recommended for hot tubs. Stay away from products that are cream-based, Epsom Salts, and other types of bath salts that are not designed for hot tubs. These products are likely to cause problems with the equipment and filtration system in your tub. If in doubt, read through the product reviews and feel free to ask your friendly hot tub dealer any questions that are on your mind! Marquis carries a line of hot tub aromatherapy scents that work wonderfully with hot tubs and are recommended for use in a tub by Marquis. GOOD AROMATHERAPY OPTIONS FOR YOUR HOT TUB EXPERIENCE Liquid aromatherapy fragrances are a good option, since these are easy to use and virtually mess-free. Simply uncap the bottle, add the recommended amount straight into the tub, and enjoy! Many of these are designed to evaporate or be filtered out within one day, so that little residue is left behind. An assortment of scents are available in this form, such as eucalyptus, spearmint, grapefruit and chamomile. For even easier use, consider adding an Aroma Infusions system. Aroma Infusions is a new option that is available on most Marquis Hot Tubs that injects fragrances in to the water with the simple push of a button. Scented crystals are another great option for bringing beautiful fragrances like Lavender Palmarosa or Warm French Vanilla into your hot tub environment . Some of the scented crystal products can even provide anti-inflammtory and stress-relief benefits similar to those found in bath salt products. The best way to find the aromatherapy product that is right for you is to test them out. Marquis has an assortment of liquid and crystal scents that can be scent-tested before purchasing. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE AFTER AROMATHERAPY SESSIONS Fortunately Marquis hot tubs utilize high-flow filtration systems that allow our tubs to filter thousands of gallons per day. A properly engineered filtration system will usually remove most scents within 24 hours; this is good in case you add a fragrance that you end up not enjoying. The SmartClean system built in to all Marquis hot tubs will also automatically clean the water after each use, which will remove excess fragrance and anything that is brought in to the tub by the user. For best water filtration, remember to clean and replace your filters periodically. That’s all there is to it! Experiment with some different fragrances, and enjoy your aromatherapy hot tub experience.

Pain management is one of the most important parts of modern medicine, and for good reason. Whether you’re fighting arthritis, dealing with fibromyalgia, recovering after a marathon or just searching for a way to relax your muscles, tendons, bones and mind, hot tubs have an important role to play . There are several ways in which hot tub use can relieve your arthritis and fibromyalgia pain, as many sufferers have already discovered. WARM WATER VERSUS PAIN Soaking in a warm tub of water is soothing on sore joints and muscles for a variety of reasons. First, the pressure normally placed on joints is immediately reduced thanks to the buoyancy of the water, making that ailing limb seem as light as air. Secondly, the warm temperature of the water in the hot tub increases blood circulation to the affected area, bringing oxygen and nutrients that are essential for natural healing. On top of these great benefits, the hot tub environment also provides a range of support angles for whichever part of you is hurting. HOT TUB THERAPY FOR ARTHRITIS Warm temperatures will help the blood flow more easily through your muscles and bones, helping to remove plaque that causes stiffness and pain. For this reason, a warm soak coupled with stretching and movement of the affected joints is ideal. Using your hot tub to deal with arthritis will target two basic elements of your illness: pain, and movement therapy. Doctors and physiotherapists recommend warming those aching muscles and bones in water that is no higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, then doing some gentle stretching and movement exercises. Keep ailing joints and bones flexible by working with them daily . This is made especially easy when suspended in the hot tub. Soaking in your hot tub is also a great way to soak up some extra magnesium via Epsom salts. Magnesium is important for bone and heart health, and statistics show that most Americans are not getting enough of it. HOT TUB THERAPY FOR FIBROMYALGIA Fibromyalgia doctors recommend three basic courses of action as a basic defence against the pain that comes with this disease: exercise, sleep and a positive attitude . As with other types of pain management, warmth and gentle stretching are always recommended. It’s important to keep your body toned and fit, since this way it will resist further degradation by the disease, and more pain in the future. As well as assisting with physical therapy, your hot tub can actually help you to get a better rest and stay mentally positive. An hour or two before you want to go to bed, get in for a warm and relaxing soak, and do your exercises. When finished, towel off and wait at least half an hour for your body to cool down again before getting into bed. This process helps many people to get a comfortable and full night’s sleep. As for helping to bolster your positive mental outlook, try to use your hot tub as a stress-free, fully relaxing environment. Use manufacturer-approved scents and salts in the tub to help get you into a “spa” state of mind, and put on some music that helps you to relax. Your hot tub can get you on track to better health!

Everyone knows that winter is the best time of year to go on vacation somewhere warm! If you are planning to leave home during the cold season and plan on draining your hot tub, it’s important that you winterize your tub before doing so. A cold snap can do quite a bit of damage to an unprotected and unused tub, especially when that tub is on a porch or in a backyard gazebo . SANITIZE AND CLEAN THE PLUMBING BEFORE DRAINING Before you drain your hot tub, you will want to use a heavy dose of sanitizer to kill any bacteria that may be in the plumbing lines. This process will also reduce the chance of bacteria building in the plumbing when the spa sits empty. A half cup of granular chlorine is the recommended dosage for most hot tub sizes. After you add the sanitizer to the water, it’s also a good idea to use a jet-line cleaner such as Marquis Jet-Line cleaner or Swirl-Away. Although it’s not a common occurrence, a hot tub can develop biofilm, which is a bacteria build-up that adheres to the surface of the plumbing. A jet-line cleaner will help to remove biofilm from the plumbing lines. When sanitizing and cleaning the plumbing lines, it is very important to run the sanitizer and jet-line cleaner through all of the plumbing. If your hot tub is equipped with diverter valves or tri-zone jet controls, it is important to adjust these controls so that you run water through all of the jets. Also make sure that neck jets and waterfall control valves are turned on so that water is flowing through every possible area of the plumbing system. DRAIN ALL THE WATER Winterizing your hot tub goes beyond simply draining the water, but this is still the most important step. When cold weather moves in, it can cause water within the tub to freeze. Since water expands when it freezes, any ice in the tub can possibly cause cracks in the plumbing, pump(s), and other equipment. For these reasons, water removal is a little more complicated than just draining the tub or pumping out the water you can actually see. To remove all the water from the system, you’ll need to use a wet vacuum on all of the jet lines and suctions fittings in the tub. Before pumping out the water and vacuuming out the plumbing lines, make sure the power to the spa is off by turning the power off at the GFCI breaker, or unplugging the spa if you have a 110v plug-in model. After you drain the hot tub, start vacuuming the top jets and work your way down to the bottom jets and suction intakes. If your spa is equipped with the Constant Clean/Spa Frog built-in sanitation system, you’ll also want to remove the cartridge holder during this process. DRY OUT THE FILTER COMPARTMENTS AND REMOVE OLD FILTERS Filter compartments can hold onto extra water quite easily, so it’s necessary to remove the filters and vacuum out any water that may be built up in the filter area. It’s a good idea to clean your filters and leave them out of the hot tub while it sits empty. Don’t store filters that are more than a year old; replace them with fresh ones when it’s time to use the tub again. REMOVE FREEZE PLUGS One of the most important steps in winterizing your hot tub is to remove the freeze plug(s) from the pump(s). The pumps are typically located in the front access panel with the other equipment in the hot tub. Depending on the model, a hot tub will typically have between one and three pumps. You will want to remove the freeze plug from each pump. The freeze plugs are located towards the bottom of the wet-end of each pump. The wet-end is the plastic side of the pump (not the motor side). Usually a freeze plug can be unscrewed easily by hand. After removing all of the freeze plugs, be sure to keep them in a safe place. It’s a good idea to place freeze plugs in a plastic bag and leave them in the equipment area of the hot tub, so that they can easily be found when it’s time to re-fill the tub. CLEAN THE TUB AND MOP UP THE EXCESS WATER At this point, you should use a hot tub surface cleaner to clean the entire tub. This will remove any germs and grit on the surface of the shell. Marquis Spa Bright surface cleaner is a great product to use that is specially formulated for hot tubs. Avoid using household cleaners because they may leave a residue that can create water quality and foaming issues when the hot tub is used again. When finished, soak up any extra water at the bottom of the tub with a soft towel. COVER THE TUB Place your locking hard cover over the hot tub and secure it. Make sure the cabinet door is fastened and that any accessories attached to the hot tub are clean and securely in place. Chairs, bars and shelving should either be contained under a tarp or put inside for the winter. When you winterize your hot tub, you are ensuring its longevity through the seasons and years. Do the work, and you’ll thank yourself come spring.

Choosing a hot tub is pretty exciting, but it’s no time to lose sight of the bigger picture. After all, there’s no point falling in love with The Broadway just to bring it home and realize there’s no room for it in your master bathroom without knocking down a wall. Apart from dimensions, there are a few other characteristics you should look for when buying a hot tub; the shape, the filter system, care instructions and warranty. THE SHAPE OF YOUR HOT TUB Generally speaking, the shape of the hot tub you choose is relatively unimportant – until you consider the space where you’d like to have it installed. A quintessential square hot tub like The Promise isn’t going to fit everywhere, since its shape is rather unforgiving. If you’re determined to work a hot tub into your existing bathroom or porch but don’t have a huge amount of space, consider a more unorthodox shape. A more demure tub like The Mirage can fit snugly into an available corner and look perfect. FILTRATION SYSTEMS The filtration system in your hot tub should be a primary consideration, since it is this mechanism that keeps the tub clean and clear of debris. There are two basic types of filtration systems for hot tubs and spas: side suction, and side pressure. Side suction filtration works by sucking the water into the filter, and then circulating it back into the tub. Unfortunately, this type of filter is criticized for failing to circulate – and therefore filter – all of the water in the tub. A side pressure filtration system works with two suction areas, one near the top of the tub and one closer to the bottom. This water is pumped into the filter and then back into the tub via the jets. Pressure filtration is more reliable, meaning that it should ideally be included in the hot tub you choose for your home. HOT TUB CARE INSTRUCTIONS Like any machine, your new hot tub needs care and maintenance. The better quality the tub, the easier it is to keep clean and functional. Every tub comes with a manual that explains everything you need to know about taking care of it; however these instructions vary from manual to manual and tub to tub. While one designer may recommend using bromine to kill bacteria in the water, another may prefer chlorine. Before you make your final decision , read carefully through the care instructions and compare them with others. Figure out if you are more comfortable with one set over the other, and also whether you can easily find the cleaning materials that are recommended by the manufacturer. THE WARRANTY Like most pieces of technology, the high-quality tubs come with a long-lasting warranty and a higher price tag. The length and quality coverage of a warranty should be important to you because of the simple fact that sometimes, manufacturing goes awry. The best companies make mistakes, and that’s why they’ve issued warranties – to keep customers happy and accommodated. Check out that warranty before you order. Once you’ve covered all these bases, it’s time to bring that brand new hot tub home! Thinking ahead means that your new purchase will fit where it is supposed to, look great, stay clean with ease and satisfy everyone who steps inside.