Trusted Saskatoon Hot Tub experts at Backyard Living Center Answer FAQs! Part 4

6. Sep 2022 Admin Saskatoon Hot Tubs, Trusted Tips

Backyard Living Center is a locally owned and operated Saskatoon hot tub store. They 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 4

How easy is it to service all areas of the spa?

H2O Spas are manufactured with motors and electronics located inside the front of the spa. This makes it very easy to access all of the equipment during regular maintenance. Some spas have motors housed on more than one side of the spa which makes it very difficult to position the spa against a wall or on a deck. Never purchase blindly, always insist on seeing the area where the equipment is housed it will tell you a lot about the quality of construction. Because we manufacture all H2O Spas with a dedicated structural frame, we are able to assemble our product in a modular style. This means that if there are any maintenance issues or need for repair, the hot tub is completely accessible from all sides.

Does the plumbing vibrate?

It is widely quoted that only full urethane foam insulation can restrict the movement of the plumbing lines in traditional spas, therefore, preventing any vibration in the plumbing. An H2O Spa is not your traditional spa. The development of highly efficient and balanced water delivery systems has eliminated plumbing vibration and movement. As an additional measure, in an H2O spa, the weight of water within the plumbing lines is supported by custom supports built into the fibreglass shell.

Are all Hot Tub Warranties the same?

NO, not all spa warranties are the same. At H2O Spas we go to great lengths to separate ourselves from the competition. We work closely with our dealer network to ensure that we are not associated with exaggerated product claims that can lead to future ambiguity. Not all warranties are genuine in their intention, read them carefully.

What is the Best Location for my Hot Tub?

Location, location, location. Always make sure that your hot tub is located as close to the house as possible. It has to be convenient, especially when using the hot tub during our Saskatchewan winters. If you intend on using your hot tub frequently, then close to the house makes sense; protection from the weather while accessing the hot tub is essential.

Is it Difficult to Maintain a Hot Tub?

It is very easy to maintain your hot tub.

The first task is to make sure your spa is visually clean. That means that you have cleaned the acrylic surface. This can be achieved by simply wiping the acrylic surface with a clean cloth and no detergents or cleaning liquids other than those designed specifically for the purpose. The acrylic surface will not withstand abuse with harsh chemicals or toxic cleaners.
Do not use any chemicals on the cabinet, acrylic surface or on equipment.
All H2O Spas are made from acrylic, fibreglass and plastic. These materials have been chosen for their longevity and ability to look new even after years of use.

How much does it cost to run a hot tub monthly?

We have measured the cost of using your hot tub under normal use conditions. How you use your spa can greatly influence the cost of operation and obviously, some people will use their tub more or less often, in which case, the average may not apply to them. Our research along with the feedback of our customers, suggests that an average monthly Hydro cost should run between $15 and $30 depending on your location.

Is it safe to empty my hot tub water onto my lawn?

Prior to you emptying your spa, you should reduce the sanitizer content of the spa. This means that you should refrain from putting any Chlorine or Bromine into the spa. You can then add a product to the water that eliminates sanitizer. To empty your spa simply connect your garden hose to the drain connector in the equipment enclosure and place the other end of the hose into the storm drain. If all sanitizer has been removed from the spa, it is safe to run the water onto your lawn.

Does the hot tub cover have to be on the hot tub when it is not in use?

Yes, here is the reason why. If the cover is not properly fitted onto the spa when not in use, the heat will escape and cool the water. When this happens the electronic controller will call for heat from the heater until the required temperature is reached. The call for heat will continue indefinitely until the temperature is maintained. If you lose heat from the cover it will cost you money. So, make sure the cover is always properly fitted.

How do I detect a leak in my hot tub?

The simple rule for leak detection is water loss. If you observe a reduction in the water level of your spa you should refill the tub to your desired level and check again at the same time the next day. If the same loss occurs call us and explain the circumstances.

Another indicator is that you see evidence of water stains on the pad underneath the hot tub. If it is persistent and maybe worsens, again, call us.
Do not attempt to repair the spa even if you locate the leak; the spa is made from speciality parts and is best left to the service technician. Read the warranty claim document to make sure the repair is covered under the warranty. If the warranty has expired we can still repair it for a reasonable fee.

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!!!

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

6. Sep 2022 Admin Saskatoon Hot Tubs, Trusted Tips

Backyard Living Center is a locally owned and operated Saskatoon hot tub store. They 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:

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.
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.

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

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners at Bridge City Share the Benefits of a Humidifier

8. Aug 2022 Admin Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaning, Trusted Tips

Trusted Saskatoon Furnace & Duct Cleaners Bridge City Duct Cleaning provides both residential duct cleaning and commercial duct cleaning and furnace maintenance services. Their team is professionally trained, qualified, bonded, and factory furnace and duct cleaning technicians. In their latest article, they discuss the benefits of a humidifier.

THE BENEFITS OF A HUMIDIFIER

The winter air is dry in Saskatchewan and can do quite a number on your respiratory system and skin, cause static shocks, and the floorboards in your home to creak. During the winter, we notice things like cracked skin, stuffy noses, sinus problems, and colds. These issues are because of the dry air outside but also the dry air inside your home.

As the temperature drops, so does the level of moisture in the air. Low humidity is a common complaint from the late fall to early spring, especially in homes with central heating, which makes the air even drier.

Humidifiers can help to alleviate the ailments caused by low humidity. Here are the benefits of having a furnace humidifier:

Your Sinuses Won’t Act Up

When the air is too dry, it irritates the membranes in your nose and can leave you prone to sinus congestion and inflammation. Moist, humid air helps to relieve sinus pain by keeping the air in your home humid. Running your humidifier in your home will help keep congestion under control and reduce the opportunity of getting an infection.

You Won’t Get Static Shocks

Dry air acts as an insulator, making it easy for a static charge to sneak up and zap you. If you feel like you’re getting shocked by everything you touch, it’s because the air is too dry in your home.

Your Floorboards Won’t Creak

Wood naturally reacts to changes in humidity. It’s normal for hardwood flooring to lose moisture and shrink slightly when the humidity drops. Creaky floorboards are one of the early warning signs your home could use a humidifier. Maintaining consistent humidity levels will help keep the floorboards beautiful (and silent) for years to come.

You Won’t Have Really Dry Skin

Chapped lips, cracked knuckles, and itchy, flaking skin are prevalent winter problems. The drier the air, the faster water in the skin evaporates, leaving you feeling sore and dry.

Health Canada recommends that you keep your home’s humidity between 30% to 50%. This ideal level of moisture will help your home feel warmer in winter, without you having to turn up the furnace temperature.

Now that you know about the benefits of a humidifier, but you aren’t sure if your humidifier is working on your furnace, give Bridge City Duct Cleaning a call to get a quote online.

Call today to book your appointment with Bridge City Duct Cleaning.

Bridge City Duct Cleaning Services Include:

Bridge City Furnace and Duct Cleaning Is A Trusted Saskatoon Furnace and Duct Cleaning Company

Trusted Saskatoon IT Pro's at Burnt Orange Discuss the Purpose of a Cybersecurity Audit

21. Jul 2022 Admin Saskatoon Computers & Web design, Trusted Tips

Gareth McKee and his Trusted Saskatoon IT team at Burnt Orange Solutions promise to have a one-hour response time for all your IT support needs. Honesty and respect are important to them. They pride themselves on ensuring their clients understand IT concerns by providing a straightforward and reliable solution with exceptional service. Burnt Orange Solutions are your Trusted Saskatoon IT Experts. In their latest Saskatoon IT expert tip, Gareth shares the purpose of a cybersecurity audit.

WHAT IS A CYBERSECURITY AUDIT?

If you were hit by a cyber attack tomorrow, is your business ready? Ensuring the appropriate cybersecurity measures are in place is vital in protecting your business. A cybersecurity audit is a helpful tool in assessing the cyber security strength of your business and ensuring important information remains secure.

What Is A Cybersecurity Audit?

A cybersecurity audit is a comprehensive review of your business’s IT infrastructure. Cybersecurity audits are helpful as they detect vulnerabilities, recognize threats, and reveal high-risk practices in relation to IT security. Cybersecurity audits are all about data security and protecting information to ensure cybercriminals are unsuccessful in their hacking attempts.

What Does It Cover?

A cybersecurity audit involves a full audit of your business’s cybersecurity measures in order to assess risk, detect vulnerabilities, and recognize threats across all areas. These areas include but are not limited to:

Data Security – Involves a review of network access control, encryption use, data security at rest, and transmissions.
Network Security – Involves a review of network and security controls, antivirus, and security monitoring capabilities.
System Security – Involves a review of hardening processes, patching processes, privileged account management, and role-based access.

Physical Security – Involves a review of disk encryption, role-based access controls, biometric data, and multifactor authentication.

If it has been a while since you revisited your business’s cybersecurity measures, they are likely out of date and may no longer be effective. A cybersecurity audit will help ensure your business is prepared in the event of a cyber attack.

If you have any questions regarding cyber security and how we can help secure your data, contact the IT experts at Burnt Orange IT Solutions. We can help your business mitigate risk, and be prepared for any IT-related emergency.

Burnt Orange IT Solutions Products & Services:

"IT Support You Can Trust and Understand"
Burnt Orange Solutions are your Trusted Saskatoon IT Experts

Trusted Saskatoon Electricians Share 5 Electrical Projects DIYers Should Not Attempt

11. Jul 2022 Admin Saskatoon Electrician, Trusted Tips

Choose Saskatoon electricians who have many years of experience in the field.

5 Electrical Projects DIYers Should Not Attempt

We know people out there in Saskatoon love to DIY, but when it comes to electrical work there are some projects better left to the professionals at Anytime Electric.

1. Replacing Wiring

The main factor when deciding whether an electrical project can be tackled by a DIYer or whether it should be handled professionally is the complexity of the project. Replacing wire is one of the jobs that are simply too complicated for even experienced DIYers. There’s just too much that can go wrong to make DIY wire replacement worth the risk. Faulty wiring leads to electrical shorts that can single-handedly cause a disastrous house fire. According to statistics Canada in 2014, in Saskatchewan, 50% of house fires were caused by electrical appliances or electrical distribution equipment.

2. Repairing or Replacing a Circuit Breaker

Another sure-fire (no pun intended) way to cause serious electrical problems in a home is to mess with the circuit breaker. Circuit breakers might seem simple from the outside, but they’re basically the brains of your house’s entire electrical system and is there to keep you safe. Making a mistake when you’re working on a breaker can cause power surges and damaged wiring throughout the home. Familiarize yourself with your circuit breaker so that you know when it’s not functioning properly and needs repair, but when it comes time to do the actual electrical work, hire a pro.

3. Replacing Burnt Outlets

Replacing outlets on their own is actually fairly simple and should not present too much of a challenge for experienced DIYers. But if an outlet is blackened, burnt, or even hot to the touch, don’t work on it. The issue here is probably related to overheated wires or overloaded circuits. If you just replace the outlet without looking deeper, you’re basically just applying a bandaid to an electrical problem. A professional electrician will be able to accurately diagnose whatever more advanced problem is causing the issue and then repair it correctly.

4. Installing Dedicated Circuits

Some appliances, especially those on the more heavy-duty side, require their own dedicated circuit for power so that they don’t cause the wiring to overheat. If you’re trying to set up a high-wattage appliance in a room without a dedicated circuit to spare, you might be tempted to try and install another one on your own - don’t. Installing a dedicated circuit requires more advanced knowledge of wiring and outlet installation, and if you get any of it wrong you’re just going to end up wasting time and money and creating a potential fire hazard.

5. Installing New Light Switches

Replacing switches that have gone bad or upgrading to a different kind of switch is not all that complicated. Installing an entirely new switch is. Avoid installing a new switch as a DIY project. A professional electrician will be able to do the job much safer and much more efficiently.

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