Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub experts at Backyard Living Center Answer FAQs! Part 3

Backyard Living Center is a locally owned and operated Saskatoon hot tub storeThey offer an exclusive line of high-quality Canadian-built hot tubs that are perfectly suited to the Saskatchewan climate. With a variety of design choices, they have a spa that will suit every lifestyle! Service means everything to owners Sheryl and Matthew! Whether it's finding the perfect spa, hot tub servicing or repair, water testing, or helping find or deliver parts for your hot tub, they're here to help. In this Saskatoon hot tub tip, we continue the series of experts answering all your FAQs about hot tubs. 

Backyard Living Center Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub Store!

FAQs About Hot Tubs Answered By Backyard Living Center - Part 3

How is the hot tub insulated?


Several spa manufacturers have always insisted that the only way to insulate a spa is with “full urethane foam”. In this method, all the glued plumbing within the spa is covered using a sprayed-on foam. This method was fine twenty years ago but like many materials, safer, better alternatives have been developed.  Certainly, urethane foam is acceptable as an insulator but more often than not it is primarily used as a structural backup. Where there is limited structural integrity, urethane foam is used as a substitution because it “holds together all the components of the spa” and compensates for a limited engineered structure. Alternates to full foam spas have been developed to address the issue of gaining access to the plumbing within the spa. H2O spas have developed their own unique Multi-Layer Insulation System.


What are the pros and cons of a urethane foam-filled spa?

The Pros of using urethane foam:
  • It is used primarily to insulate the hot tub against the environment, therefore, reducing operating costs.

  • Secondly, it can be used as a substitute for structural support where there is little or no frame structure. Imagine a large block of foam with everything trapped inside.


The Cons of using urethane foam:
  • Urethane spray foam used for insulating hot tubs is a two-part chemical product that when mixed, results in an expanding foam component. It is used under strict safety codes because of the unhealthy ‘off gassing’ fumes.

  • The resulting foam expands into the cavities of the hot tub solidifying as it cures sealing all ventilating apertures. We all have to breathe, and so does your hot tub. Preventing air circulation inside the cavity of the hot tub creates the perfect condition for possible future mold growth.

  • Once the hot tub has been foam-filled it is extremely difficult to service the tub particularly if you experience a water leak in the complex plumbing underneath the tub. A simple plumbing defect can take hours to trace and repair. Tracing the leak becomes more difficult than the actual repair.

  • The biggest problem occurs after the repair has been completed and you have taken out the wet foam to reach the leak area. What do you use to replace the insulation you have removed? Usually, this is done with an expensive canned substitute of the foam which inevitably does not have the same insulation properties of the originally installed foam – in other words, it is being replaced with a substitute that may possibly affect the insulation qualities of the hot tub. There is also the problem of discarding the saturated foam which must be packed separately and isolated from normal garbage.

  • Any water contamination from the internal plumbing deteriorates the foam creating a sludge that is prone to mold growth and if the foam has been used as a structural substitute, this can possibly weaken the spa.


Is it detrimental to the efficiency of the hot tub if all four sides of the spa are not foam-filled?

Our tests show that the insulation benefits of partially removing some insulation from one side of the hot tub are outweighed by replacing the insulation with electronic equipment and two electric motors, each one generating surplus heat. In fact the two motors generate so much heat that we evacuate the surplus heat and pipe it to the air intakes of the spa jets, thus supplying warm air automatically when the jet pumps are engaged.

What are the benefits of using Roxul insulation?

  • Practical to use; anyone can handle it safely. Sold in most hardware stores this amazing material is readily available.

  • Can be removed and replaced without instruction, just use a common sense approach when handling this material.

  • Roxul is fire retardant. Even when held to a naked flame it will not ignite.

  • Environmentally prudent; disposal, if required, can be the same as with any household garbage.

  • Water repellent. If a leak occurs in the tub it cannot damage the Roxul. Being water repellent,  moisture will pass right through the Roxul leaving it completely dry.

  • Deters rodents because it is an inert material made from lava rock that cannot be eaten or affected by animals.

  • Recyclable; there is no need to throw it away. Just store it in a dry environment for future use.

  • Roxul has an R-Value equal to or better than traditional insulation materials including low-density open cell urethane foam.

  • Roxul is used in many commercial and residential buildings costing millions of dollars. Does it make sense to use such an amazing material in a product costing much less? Of course, it does, that is why we led the way by using Roxul as an insulating system in all H2O Spas.

  • How much is your house worth? Hundreds of thousands of dollars? Most houses are now built using Roxul Insulation, it makes sense to use it as an insulator in your hot tub.

  • Helps reduce equipment noise. Roxul is renowned for its ability to capture noise and is used extensively as a noise barrier.


See their selection of in-stock H2O Canadian-made premium spas at their showroom on Brodsky Avenue, or visit their website for more choices and information on hot tub supplies, hot tub care, and maintenance and service. Take it from us… you will not be disappointed!!!


MORE Questions? 



Your Backyard Oasis is Waiting For You!

You can read more amazing client testimonials and see all products and services they offer by checking out the Backyard Living Center’s listing by clicking on the link below. 

Backyard Living Center is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub and Outdoor Furniture Store!

Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub experts at Backyard Living Center Answer FAQs! Part 2

Backyard Living Center is a locally owned and operated Saskatoon hot tub storeThey offer an exclusive line of high-quality Canadian-built hot tubs that are perfectly suited to the Saskatchewan climate. With a variety of design choices, they have a spa that will suit every lifestyle! Service means everything to owners Sheryl and Matthew! Whether it's finding the perfect spa, hot tub servicing or repair, water testing, or helping find or deliver parts for your hot tub, they're here to help.  In this Saskatoon hot tub tip, we continue the series of experts answering all your FAQs about hot tubs. 

Backyard Living Center Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub Store!

FAQs About Hot Tubs Answered By Backyard Living Center - Part 2

Should I have one or two jet pumps?


The answer is based on the number and size of the jets in the spa. Each jet is designed to work with a maximum water flow and H2O engineers calculate the total water flow required for all the jets in the spa and size the jet pump accordingly by using the most efficient combination of pumps.

Is one pump enough to give me the therapy I want?

One pump can be enough to give you the therapeutic experience you want. Remember not all hot tubs are created equal; many manufacturers have very different interpretations of horsepower, numbers of jets, etc. All of these factors will impact or have some relationship to what experience you will achieve in your spa.

Does a motor marketed as 7HP really produce 7 times the water flow of a 1HP pump?

No. Horsepower ratings on motors are not proportional with water flow and are sometimes misleading as they are not the true working horsepower but the motors’ breakdown horse power that if achieved, would cause the motor to fail. The horsepower rating of a motor refers more to the energy consumption required to operate the motor. At H2O spas we strive to provide the optimum water flow using the least horsepower because we know this to be the most energy efficient and environmentally responsible solution.

How is the Spa water cleaned?

The spa water is sanitized using either Chlorine or Bromine but the clarity of the water relies on the water passing through the built-in filtration system. Depending on the manufacturer this can be achieved in two ways:

  1. Timed Filtration – A system can be designed so that the large jet pump is programmed to run on its low-speed setting for a predetermined length of time, pulling water into the filter and removing particles. The limitations to a system such as this are that the jet pump has to run for a minimum period of 4 hours, twice a day, which can be noisy and not very energy efficient. Also, because the jet pump is filtering and pushing the water through the heater there are a number of restrictions to the water flow that slow the flow of water to the jets when high speed is engaged. This method is used mainly to save money because if you don’t have to install a circulation pump, you save money. But remember a spa without a circulation pump is a lesser product.
  2. Continuous 24/7 Filtration – H2O spas recommend using a dedicated small circulation pump to perform water filtration. This small pump uses very little energy, is quiet, and ensures your spa water is always crystal clear. A bonus of this system is that the now dedicated 2-speed jet pump is available to be plumbed directly to the jets to give the maximum flow of water.

Does a larger filter result in a cleaner spa?

A filter's ability to clean a spa is dependent on the density of the filter material and the amount of water flowing through the filter. To optimize these parameters, filters are made from a 20-micron weave to trap the majority of particles without being too dense to restrict water flow. An H2O spa with the 24/7 circ master pump passes 30 GPM constantly through the filter to give optimum cleaning performance.

The overall surface area of a filter is how the filter is measured i.e. 25 sq ft. means that if all the pleats of the filter were flattened out the total material used to make the filter would cover an area of 25sq.ft. Having a larger filter means that there is more surface area to hold particles between filter cleanings.

MORE Questions? 


See their selection of in-stock H2O Canadian-made premium spas at their showroom on Brodsky Avenue, or visit their website for more choices and information on hot tub supplies, hot tub care, and maintenance and service. Take it from us… you will not be disappointed!!!




Your Backyard Oasis is Waiting For You!

You can read more amazing client testimonials and see all products and services they offer by checking out the Backyard Living Center’s listing by clicking on the link below. 

Backyard Living Center is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub and Outdoor Furniture Store!

Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub experts at Backyard Living Center Answer FAQs! Part 1

Backyard Living Center is a locally owned and operated Saskatoon hot tub storeThey offer an exclusive line of high-quality Canadian-built hot tubs that are perfectly suited to the Saskatchewan climate. With a variety of design choices, they have a spa that will suit every lifestyle! Service means everything to owners Sheryl and Matthew! Whether it's finding the perfect spa, hot tub servicing or repair, water testing, or helping find or deliver parts for your hot tub, they're here to help. In this Saskatoon hot tub tip, they answer more FAQs about hot tubs. 

Backyard Living Center Is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub Store!

FAQs About Hot Tubs Answered By Backyard Living Center - Part 1 

Is the jet count important to the operation of the hot tub?


The number of jets in a hot tub determines how much water flow is needed from the pump. Jet counts in excess of 55 jets give rise to more horsepower, less efficient pumps, which inevitably increases the cost of operating the spa. If a spa with more than thirty jets is not adequately powered the result will be low pressure, leading to inadequate water flow, resulting in weak jet performance.

Be aware of being misled over jet counts, a jet may have one orifice or up to ten orifices. Jet count means actual jets not the number of holes within each jet. For instance, a hot tub with one hundred orifices in fact may only be ten jets each with ten orifices. At H2O spas we count the number of jets, so in our spa lineup, a hot tub with thirty jets will have thirty separate molded jets. The pump size is in ratio to the number of jets, not orifices.

What make and model of Spa will best suit my requirements?

This question is difficult to answer unless you have a predetermined requirement like how many people will be using the spa. This will answer the first part of the question and determine the physical size of spa you need.
  • How much space have you allocated for your spa? Is it close to the house? If it is too far away from the house, it will not be used as much as if it is within 20 feet of the house. Remember location, location, location! Being too far away will deter you from using it in our cold Saskatchewan winter.

  • Visit your closest manufacturer’s dealer store and collect as much information as possible including any literature. Make sure you ask for information on the running costs of the spa during normal use.

  • Be aware that some manufacturers call their spas “8 man” when there are clearly only 5 seats with jets. As a simple rule of thumb, count only seats with jets when calculating the number of useable seats in the spa.


Remember that each person also needs leg space. The superior size and depth found in the footwell of an H2O spa allows you to put your feet directly down in front of you in a natural seating position. This allows everyone their own foot space. Never buy a spa without sitting in it with or without water to assess the seating comfort.

How many jets should a spa have?

Jets work to stimulate blood flow to tired muscles. It is not necessarily the case that more jets are better.  Jet positioning is far more important than how many jets you have because it’s the positioning that decides where the water stream lands, preferably, on your muscles and not your skeleton. Look for jets to work in pairs, massaging muscles on each side of the spine.

What is the difference between an air jet and a water jet?

Again as with jet counts, air and water jet counts can be confusing. Some manufacturers install small air outlets into the spa and count them as jets. They are in fact not jets but air ports intended to add ‘bubbling’ to the spa water. They have no significant value, in as much as they just release air into the water giving the impression of therapeutic value, where in fact they just cool the water. It is another way for a manufacturer to show an increased jet count deliberately misleading the customer. The air jets have no mechanical operating controls and therefore are either on or off. When cool air is drawn in through the small ports of the jet and exhaled into the spa it gives the impression of rigorous jet action when, in fact, it is just cooling air being injected into the spa. In particular, be aware of spas for sale with literally hundreds of jets, they will probably have a large percentage of air-only ports.


See their selection of in-stock H2O Canadian-made premium spas at their showroom on Brodsky Avenue, or visit their website for more choices and information on hot tub supplies, hot tub care, and maintenance and service. Take it from us… you will not be disappointed!!!


Your Backyard Oasis is Waiting For You!

You can read more amazing client testimonials and see all products and services they offer by checking out the Backyard Living Center’s listing by clicking on the link below. 

Backyard Living Center is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub and Outdoor Furniture Store!

Trusted Team Brags About Backyard Living Center, Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub Store!

The Trusted Saskatoon team is thrilled to brag about our newest Trusted Saskatoon outdoor living and recreation partner, Backyard Living Center, your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub Store!


Sheryl and Matthew Harras are the proud owners of Backyard Living Center, a local, family-owned and operated Saskatoon hot tub store. They are passionate about helping citizens of Saskatoon and the surrounding area find the best hot tub, or outdoor furniture to meet their needs without the high-pressure sales tactics. They really do care and go the extra mile to find out what will work best for you and your family, whether it’s a new hot tub, supplies or chemicals, or just honest advice and tips. They also have amazing customer service, as many of their customers have raved about their personable attitude and dependability. When dealing with Backyard Living Center, you’re not dealing with just any staff members… you’re personally dealing with the owners… and they are owners who care!


Sheryl suffered from painful back issues after several unfortunate vehicle accidents. After seeking relief in many places, much to her surprise, she found that hot tub hydrotherapy really helped! She was never interested in hot tubs, but when one came with a new house the family purchased she decided to give it a try, and here she is years later a hot tub convert who has excellent advice to share!   


This couple is striving to be the best in the hot tub industry. So after gaining years of knowledge and expertise with a few other companies, and noting both the good and bad of the industry, they feel confident that they can provide unparalleled service and professionalism along with friendly and honest advice, to those looking to purchase a hot tub. Not only do they have a great selection of Canadian-made hot tubs and spas, but they can also look after your service and repair needs, hot tub and pool water care, and even hot tub and pool financing. In addition, they are introducing luxury outdoor furniture this coming spring!! 


“Remember, they don’t just sell hot tubs and spas, they are here to help you with Emotional Wellness, Physical Wellness and Relational Wellness. Did you know that hot tubs are hydrotherapy for your entire body, and can help with headaches, sports injuries, back pain, knee pain, tight muscles and sciatica?"


We are so fortunate that Sheryl, Matthew, and their daughter Sara moved to Saskatoon to establish and grow their business, and we are thrilled about their decision to join our Trusted Saskatoon community. They saw Saskatoon as the perfect place, with the right demographics, the right economy, and the right people to create their dream business. But no matter where you live in Saskatchewan, the team at Backyard Living Center will try their best to assist you.


Community Support Is Important


Making a difference in our community in various charitable ways is a real heartfelt mission of Backyard Living Center. Above is a recent photo of owners Matthew and Sheryl, and below is a photo of a local hero Owen and his Mom. Thanks to their customers for shopping local, the company was able to give back to this young local hero by donating funds so that Owen could get a fin for his amputation and enjoy some swimming lessons.



As part of our Unique Trusted verification process, where we speak to real customers and suppliers, we continually heard the same positive comments about Sheryl and Matthew and the feedback was nothing short of excellent. 


“I heard about Sheryl and Matthew from someone else, and when she had mentioned they were going to open up their own store I waited to deal with them, and I’m so happy I did! They have gone above and beyond my expectations, from purchasing, to installation to solving my water and ph problems, I have not experienced any problems whatsoever. I would definitely rate them a 10/10 and have already referred them to friends and family.” - Ryan McIntyre, Rural SK


“I first met Sheryl Harras when she was employed as the Sales manager for a very successful and long established Pool and Spa company based in BC. I myself have been associated with the Pool and Spa industry for 30 years, so I was surprised that after just one meeting I was immediately impressed with her level of professionalism and knowledge. For the next 2 years we developed a mutually beneficial relationship. Her enthusiasm and salesmanship ensured that her store soon became one of my largest customers and still is to this day. More recently, when Sheryl advised me that she was planning to move to Saskatoon and start her own Hot Tub retail store, I was fully committed to help in any way possible. I know with her track record, it will only be a matter of time before Backyard Living Center becomes one of the most successful Hot Tub stores, not just within Saskatoon but within all of Western Canada. H2O Spas is proud to partner with Sheryl and Matt Harras and they can be assured of our support as they continue to grow their business.” 
Sincerely, Mark Owen, H2O Spas


See their selection of in-stock H2O Canadian-made premium spas at their showroom on Brodsky Avenue, or visit their website for more choices and information on hot tub supplies, hot tub care and maintenance and service. Take it from us… you will not be disappointed!!!

Your Backyard Oasis is Waiting For You!

You can read more amazing client testimonials and see all products and services they offer by checking out the Backyard Living Center’s listing by clicking on the link below. 

Backyard Living Center is Your Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub and Outdoor Furniture Store!

Categories

Previous Posts

ADDRESS

S & E Trusted Online Directories Inc
TrustedSaskatoon.com
310 Wall St #209
Saskatoon, SK   S7K 1N7
Ph: 306.244.4150

GET THE APP

App Store Google Play
Follow us on Facebook Instagram Linked In Twitter YouTube RSS Feed
Abex
Abex
Stevies
Sabex
NEYA
Website hosting by Insight Hosting