All Seasons Spa Utah

Hot Tub Folliculitis

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 21:21:41 +0000

The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.

Pseudomonas folliculitis (commonly called “hot tub rash”, “hot tub dermatitis”)

Background
Pseudomonas folliculitis is a community-acquired skin infection resulting from the bacterial colonization of hair follicles after exposure to contaminated bodies of contained water found in whirlpools, swimming pools, water slides, bathtubs, etc. The rash has also been found following the use of diving suits in both seawater and fresh water immersion, and, less commonly, following the use of contaminated bathing objects such as synthetic or natural sponges. Outbreaks have also been associated with waterslides, inflatable pool toys and similar water attractions. Pseudomonas folliculitis may also occur as an acne outbreak in patients on long-term tetracycline therapy.

Causes
The bacterial organism which causes the infection is found primarily in soil and fresh water and gains entry through hair follicles or cuts in the skin. The cause or source of the infection is difficult to assess because of the transient nature of the bather population, and most cases self-resolve without any adverse reactions. Certain hair removal procedures, such as in bikini waxing, or vigorous rubbing of the skin (such as with sponges or exfoliates) may facilitate the entry of the organism into the skin. Hot water, high pH (above 7.8) and low chlorine level (below .5 ppm) form the ideal breeding environment.
Other environmental conditions associated with folliculitis outbreaks:
•    Prolonged soaking
•    Large number of bathers
•    Inadequate sanitation and water maintenance
Other high risk factors associated with folliculitis include:
•    Crowding
•    Youth
•    Snug Bathing suits
•    Repeat exposure

Symptoms
Pseudomonas folliculitis is characterized by a rash, described by physicians as dermatitis or as folliculitis (inflammation of the hair follicle). The rash onset is usually within 48 hours after exposure to contaminated water, but it can occur as long as 14 days after exposure. Lesions begin as small macules (red spots) that later develop into larger “pimple” like bumps ranging in size from 2mm to 10mm with a central pustule. Lesions are most prevalent in areas where the skin rubs together, rubs against the surface of the pool or spa, or rubs against bathing suits. The rash may easily be confused with insect bites. Extremely high pH or extremely low pH may cause similar (but less severe) topical symptoms. Usually, the lesions will NOT be present on hairless areas of the body, such as the face, neck, palms or soles of the feet. Occasionally infected individuals will experience fever accompanied by headache or fatigue. Nipple glands on both men and women may also become infected. The rash usually clears spontaneously in 2-10 days, rarely recurs, and heals without scarring, but it may cause peeling or leave flat, light pigmented streaks on the skin.

Treatment
Consult with your doctor before undergoing any treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a topical ointment or cream which will help reduce irritation.
You should NOT re-enter the hot tub until symptoms are completely gone and the tub has been properly cleaned and sanitized.

Steps to Properly sanitize an infected hot tub:
1.    Super-Chlorinate the hot tub. Apply 99% sodium dichlor-trizenitroine at the rate of 2 Tbls per 200 gallons.
2.    With a vinyl bristle brush, and an additional chlorine solution using the same product, scrub along the waterline, including pillows, etc.
3.    Completely drain and rinse the tub with fresh water.
4.    Remove, clean, and disinfect filters using a filter cleaning agent combined with high pressure rinsing. Rinsing filters in your sink or shower will not adequately clean them.
5.    Refill, restart the tub, adjust Alkalinity and pH, then superchlorinate.

Top 10 Reason to Buy from All Seasons

Sun, 04 May 2008 06:33:54 +0000

(in no particular order)

#1 Selling Hot Tub worldwide
Over 800,000 strong across the planet. Pretty good strength-in-numbers if you ask me.

#1 Hot Tub Dealer in Utah for the last 27 years
It’s well known and documented that we sell more hot tubs than any other hot tub dealer in Utah. It may seem like a self-proclaimed victory. But, ask any of our customers who bought somewhere else and call us for service, and you will realize I am telling the truth. I will even let you choose who you call.

Most comprehensive hassle-free warranty in the spa industry.
Believe me…we have sold four of the five other major brands in the industry over the years. but nobody, I mean nobody, comes close to offering the kind of warranty support and other service-related resources that Watkins Manufacturing provides.

Publicly traded parent company, MASCO. (NYSE symbol: MAS)
It may not seem like a big deal, but since the creation of Sarbanes-Oxley and other consumer-protecting laws, publicly traded companies are now held to a higher standard like never before. An account containing the cash value of the spa must hold those funds for the length of the warranty. This means the consumer and the dealer are protected if either the manufacturing facility burns down or the stock market tanks. Almost every other hot tub brand out there, and all but one other in our market, can promise whatever they want in their warranties. Since they are privately owned, the manufacturer can stick it to the consumer.

Factory trained & certified technicians
Many of the traveling spa shows held at the fairgrounds or parking lots offer weak, inferior products. Some of them have been the subjects of news investigations. The seller hopes that you never call them if you have a problem. We say, bring it on. Our Technicians are qualified and ready to help.

Exclusive Membership Rewards
This is a new benefit to our new customers. Expect to see information soon after our system upgrades later this month. As far as we know, nobody else in Utah does anything like this.

Blue Book Values
We carry the only hot tub brand with a blue book value. We can give you a trade-in value for most of our tubs when you buy a new Hot Spring.

Normal People (no Mullets or spandex shorts)
Seriously, a couple years ago, I met spa salesman in a competitor's store with both a mullet and spandex shorts. He offered me a glass of wine when I walked into his store, and I thought, “I sure am glad I don’t have to worry about this in our stores.” We try to keep a knowledgeable, professional staff available for information. You won’t find people who like haggling or high-pressure closing.

Three convenient locations
Sandy, Centerville, and West Valley. We would love to have even more locations.

You can have my home telephone number
Many of our customers have it. I can't post it here, because I will get hammered by advertisers, merchant processors, and software companies. But if you come in, I will give it to you.

Our Business Philosophy

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:56:35 +0000

It was love at first sight. Nearly five years ago I took an after-hours tour of All Seasons. It was my first direct contact with the company and I immediately fell in love with the product and the business.

After a brief courtship, we dove in. It didn’t take long to understand the high quality of the products that All Seasons offered. As I attended trade shows, it became clear why the business had such a great reputation. All of the products offered by All Seasons were the leaders in their respective categories. I quickly made it a point to always offer only the finest quality products.

Our philosophy is centered on making our customers feel great. Sam Walton said that the customer is the only person who is really in charge of everyone in a given business. Only the customer can fire everyone including the owners, by deciding where to spend their money. We subscribe to this thinking and try to base our decisions on how our customers might feel.

Our goal is to be real with people and to offer real relaxation to all of our customers. We want to be accountable 100% to our customers and meet or exceed all of their expectations.

What to do About Cloudy Water

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:11:54 +0000

This is a common problem for many spa users. The problem can usually be attributed to one or a combination of four things:

1) High pH/Alkalinity
2) Reduced filtration
3) Heavy usage
4) High total dissolved solids (TDS)

The problem is usually one of the first three listed above.
Solution:
Step 1: Check and adjust your pH and Alkalinity as needed using pH decreaser. pH decreaser will lower both your pH and Alkalinity. Always balance pH prior to adding other products to your tub. If you seem to be consistently fighting pH, have your water tested.
Step 2: Chemically clean filters by soaking with an approved filter cleaner or degreaser, then rinse thoroughly with high water pressure.
Step 3: Super-chlorinate. Technically this means raising your total chlorine to 10 ppm over your free chlorine, but most people don’t have the means to measure this. For most tubs, a little more than ¼ cup of chlorine usually will do the trick. After following these steps, give it a day. 80% of the time your water will clear up. If not, you need to get rid of dissolved solids.
Step 4: Dissolved solids build up over time from debris entering the water. The best way get rid of them is to empty the spa and start over. If time or weather doesn’t allow you to empty the spa completely, you may want to partially drain the tub which will dilute the waterl. Otherwise, use a water clarifier. Water clarifiers coagulate small particles so that the filter can more easily catch them. When using a water clarifier, be prepared to rinse filters and clean along the water lines for best results.

Posted by Jon Moir

Three Things You Must Know When Buying a Hot Tub

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:52:56 +0000

The way we speak to hot tub shoppers on the road or at a home show is the same. Generally, “Hot tubs are good!” Many brands have unique features and styles that set one apart from another. But, regardless of the aesthetics, the bells, or the whistles, we tell everybody, “You should buy a Hot Tub somewhere, from somebody…Soon!” Hot water therapy really will make your life better.

So as you gather the brochures, but before you entomb yourself in a mound of excessive research, here are three things a legitimate hot tub brand absolutely must have. If you gather this information, you will surely enjoy years of relaxation in your own personal oasis. Gather not, and you risk being swindled by a stereotypical spa salesman sporting spandex shorts, a mullet, or beer-breath:

Efficiency
Recent research suggests that, more than anything else, consumers want a hot tub that doesn’t require the installation of a separate electric meter. But, believe it or not, there are only a few hot tub brands that continually use third party testing for energy efficiency. If a company makes a bold energy claim, ask for the source of the information.

News flash!…Some hot tub manufacturers actually print bogus claims in their literature. I know, hard to imagine. But, in an industry of copycats, it is a widespread practice to plagiarize research and regurgitate brochure language. If you already own a hot tub and you are paying more than an average of $25 per month to run it, you are paying too much. There are tubs that can be run for less than $10 per month…in the Winter! Bottom line: Only look at those brands that can produce scientific proof that you will save money. If their claim sounds far fetched, they better be able to back it up!

Public Ownership
Did you know there are more than 250 hot tub brands? Guess how many are privately owned? Almost all of them. I don’t mean to frighten anybody, but let me ask this: What do you think those private companies will do in the wake of an ailing economy, a large lawsuit, or tanking sales? You guessed it…Bail out! And leave their customers to fend for themselves.

I talk with consumers every day who bought tubs from a regional or local manufacturer who can’t find any support for their product. We are watching many of those regional manufacturers go out of business in Arizona, Florida, California, and Georgia. There is, however, a silver lining in all this. Since Enron and Tyco, new laws protect buyers of products whose manufacturers are owned by publicly traded companies. As mandated by these laws, an amount of money per hot tub must be held in an escrow-like account for the duration of the spa’s warranty period. Only buy a hot tub that is, or is part of, a publicly traded company.

Tradition of Service, Support & Endurance
Beware of a hot tub company who can’t tell you where to go to service one of its own hot tubs. We speak with customers every day, who complain, “I bought it from _______, but the company who made it isn’t in business anymore.” Or the classic, “After a few months the spa didn’t work, and we couldn’t contact the company we bought it from.” You should be able to contact the manufacturer of the product, who should be able to direct you to your local service center where you will find replacement parts, service personnel, and other new products for your hot tub.

When stacking up dealerships against each other, ask yourself these questions: Are they free with their information? Do they make it available online? Does the dealer offer free in-store support for things as basic as water chemistry? Is there a forum for you to share your opinion with management about the staff? Can you get a replacement part for one of their 25-year-old spas?

by Rich Moffat

Hot Tub Cover Care

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:45:31 +0000

Four Ways to Protect Your Hot Tub Cover
Some of the hot tub covers we replace live unnecessarily short lives.
Here are four things you can do to ensure a long and healthy career for your spa's cover:

If you’re existing hot tub cover is in obvious disrepair, go purchase a new one soon. You will save more in energy costs over the next year than you will spend on a new cover. Check the heat seal shoes at the hinge, the tie down straps and locks, and the integrity of the outer vinyl encasement. Tip: if you need to purchase a new cover, be sure to have the dimensions and its brand name ready when you call or visit the store.

If your hot tub cover is working well for you, take a little time each month to condition the vinyl with a vinyl conditioner found in most pool and hot tub stores. Conditioning keeps the vinyl supple and avoids drying out from winter weather. Always remember to clean the dirt and debris of the cover with a basic soap and water solution prior to conditioning. A vinyl deck brush will work for this. Tip: try using a Magic Eraser if you want to see the cover get real clean.

Don’t allow snow and ice to settle on the cover. Use a soft broom or a foam “snow rake” to remove the snow from the cover. Keeping the snow off the cover will protect the integrity of the foam cores. If you notice water pooling in the center of your cover, the foam may have already begun to sag. Also, keeping the cover free of ice accumulation will protect the vinyl from puncturing as the cover is opened. Tip: if you are using a cover lifter, it will last a long time if it only has to lift the cover.

Water chemistry is the key to avoiding mildew on the underside of the cover. As long as the pH is balanced and the water is sanitized, your cover will remain clean and protected, even if it is not being used.

Try Hot Tub Warm Water Therapy

Wed, 30 May 2007 03:48:13 +0000

The good feeling you get when you relax in a hot tub is mainly because of the way your body reacts to the heat and jets of water. Our bodies are very complicated, and many different therapies and drugs can work. Hydrotherapy, or the therapy of water, in a home hot tub is one way to benefit our health.

Hot tubs are great for those with high blood pressure (aka hypertension). High blood pressure is ordinarily defined as being greater than 140/90. For those with this condition, time in a spa or hot tub is one particularly beneficial therapy as it can help out prescribed medicines.

Blood pressure is a requirement for us to survive, and it is produced in 3 different ways: heart rate (how quickly the heart is beating); how much pressure the heart is pumping against (the more relaxed blood vessels are, the easier it is to pump blood into them, the tighter they are, the harder it is); and the volume of blood in the arteries and veins.

Hydrotherapy in a hottub or spa provides benefits for high blood pressure because it dilates, or opens up, blood vessels so the heart doesn't need to pump as hard. This lowers blood pressure and it reduces the amount the heart has to work by up to 20%. Your body dilates the blood vessels because it registers that you are getting too hot and the ones near the surface of the skin relax in an attempt to release heat.

This vasodilation (opening up of blood vessels) allows oxygen to travel more freely to places where it generally does not go in great amounts. Due to the fact that oxygen is an important part of healing, hot tub hydrotherapy enhances healing.

Vasodilation serves a second purpose because the blood cleanses away wastes from different parts of the body in the same way that it distributes nutrients. When it's been a demanding day and your muscles are fatigued, it is often because there is a build up of lactic acid. The quicker blood gets to the muscles to remove the lactic acid, the faster they will feel better. This also allows your muscles to relax.

Don't waste any more time - finish your research on which size of hot tub you can afford to buy, install and operate, and enjoy the remarkable health benefits. You won't be disappointed.

NOTE: It is important to see your family physician before starting any kind of treatment.

Information in this post was provided by by Karen Naylor.

Winterizing Your Spa

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 19:48:54 +0000

Your Hot Spring spa has been designed for year-round use in any climate. Here are some steps you may want to take this time of year to ensure maximum energy efficiency.

If you live in an area which has freezing temperatures, you should purchase a Winter Blanket which is available at your local Hot Spring spa dealer. This vinyl-covered, fiberglass insulated blanket, which installs inside the equipment compartment door, provides an additional precaution against partial freezing of some of the components and maximizes the spa's energy efficiency.

Also, make sure your cover is at peak performance level. Check for signs of wear and tear-make sure the seal is still tight and intact so heat doesn't escape. If you see signs of sagging, fading or cracking, it's time for a replacement. Be sure to remove snow from the spa cover before large amounts accumulate. Condensation might occur around the cover locks which could create ice build up to remove, splash with warm water; don't try to pry the ice off.

If you are going away for a few days during the winter months, remember these tips:

1. Before you go, adjust the pH according to the Owner's Manual.
2. Sanitize the water with super chlorination or the new Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer according to instructions.s.
3. Lock down the cover to prevent access.
4. Lock the light and jets feature on the control panel (on 1998 models).
5. Upon your return, balance the pH and sanitize the water prior to using.

If you are planning to be away from home a week or longer, call your local dealer for more tips on winterizing your spa, or refer to the Owner's Manuall for additional instructions.

Sanitizer is extremely important for killing algae, bacteria and other unwanted impurities in your spa water. While it is important to maintain the sanitizer levels, you do not want too much, because it can irritate your skin, lungs and eyes.

Hot Spring recommends only the following sanitizers:

1. EverFresh Water Care System with Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer
2. Sodium Dichlor (chlorine)
3. Granular bromine
4. FreshWater® Biguanide Water Care or Baqua Spa™ For 1998 to current spa models only
5. AutoFresh™ Water Care System

DO NOT use tri-chlor chlorine, any type of compressed bromine or chlorine, acid or any type of sanitizer which is not recommended above. If in doubt, please contact our Customer Service Department.

For more information on the care and cleaning of your spa, refer to your Owner's Manual. Call us if you have any special questions. We're here to help make your spa maintenance as easy as possible. If you have technical or customer service questions, please contact our Customer Service Department.

The Easy Way To Keep Your Spa Sparkling

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:46:46 +0000

To clean the spa shell, use a mild non-abrasive, non-sudsing cleaner and a soft rag or nylon scrubber to remove dirt build-up. Common baking soda can also be used for minor surface cleaning. After cleaning and drying your spa shell, apply FreshWater Spa Shine to keep your spa looking new. Also, the spa pillows can be removed and cleaned by following the instructions in your Owner's Manual. The hot tub vinyl cover is best cleaned and conditioned by following this step-by-step method: first, remove the cover and spray it lightly with a garden hose to loosen any dirt or debris that might have accumulated. Using a mild soap solution (1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid with 2 gallons water) or baking soda, scrub the vinyl in a circular motion with a large sponge. Promptly rinse with a garden hose. Rinse the bottom of the cover (do not use soap), and wipe it clean with a dry rag. To condition the cover after cleaning, apply a thin film of Hot Spring Cover Shield™.

HELPFUL HINT:: Showering without soap prior to entering the spa, and using only the rinse cycle when laundering your bathing suit, will help avoid detergent and soap residue in the spa water.

Clean Your Spa Filter Cartridges

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:38:04 +0000

Cleaning your filter cartridges is simple. As with any water filtration system, your spa filter cartridges can become clogged with mineral particles or calcification from hard water, which may result in reduced water flow. We recommend that you clean your filter cartridges every month. Using a garden hose, spray each cartridge and rotate while spraying to thoroughly remove any debris lodged between the filter pleats. For HotSprings brand hot tubs, wse either FreshWater Instant Filter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner to keep your filters clean and in good operating condition. Keep in mind that your filters should be replaced every three years with genuine Watkins replacement filters. We provide filters at all three Salt Lake City locations or through our online store.

Accessories To Help Maintain Clean, Sparkling Water

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 23:15:12 +0000

Water it's the essential ingredient in your spa, and it's important to keep it fresh, clean and ready to enjoy. We now offer two accessories that make your water care routine easier, and keeps your spa water fresh and pristine.

Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer
Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer dissolves instantly and eliminates unwanted impurities which accumulate in your spa water. This chlorine-free oxidizer increases sanitizer efficiency, enhances water clarity and is compatible with bromine, chlorine and most alternative sanitizers. Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer is recommended for use with the EverFresh water care system for the best quality water possible...fresh, safe, and free of odors and irritation.

Hot Spring Spa Vac
The Hot Spring Spa Vac cleans dirt, gravel, leaves and other debris without draining your spa. This self-contained, simple-to-use water vacuum requires no pumping, batteries or water hook-ups. The telescopic aluminum pole makes it easy to remove debris from hard-to-reach areas. Use it on your swimming pool steps and in fountains, too.