Where you install your spa can depend on your personal preferences, lifestyle and/or budget. If your hot tub or swim spa won’t fit through the doorway or window, an outdoor installation might be your only choice. Indoor installations also require an adequate foundation to support the weight of the spa and ventilation for the humidity. These factors contribute to the growing popularity of having a hot tub installed outside, as it tends to be a little easier to complete and can really transform the everyday backyard into an outdoor paradise that’s sure to drop jaws.

Rinse your hot tub filter every two weeks with water from the hose and soak your filter overnight in a filter cleaning solution every two months. You should replace your hot tub filter once a year to ensure proper filtration, circulation and safety.

You shouldn’t have to replace your hot tub cover more than three times over the lifespan of your hot tub. You should replace your hot tub cover if it is:

• Ripped
• Damaged
• Deteriorating
• Emitting a foul odor

If your spa cover is heavier than when it was brand new, you should think about replacing it soon. Ripped, cracked or torn material can allow for moisture to seep through the protective lining and build-up in the interior, leading to the growth of bacteria and mold. Once your hot tub cover begins to smell or is significantly heavier, chances are that bacteria has already started to grow due to the build-up of moisture. Look at our blog section to learn how to clean your hot tub cover in 5 simple steps.

Built into just about every modern Sundance® Spas hot tub, the MicroCLEAN® Filtration System can help improve the quality and safety of the hot tub water, while reducing maintenance efforts. This nearly maintenance-free hot tub experience can take care of the hard work, so you don’t have to.

A swim spa is a medium to large-sized at-home spa system that can be installed into most backyards. These systems are often described as a hybrid of a swimming pool and a hot tub. Ranging from about 16 to 20 feet in length, most offer a large tank area that is well-suited for recreation, entertainment and exercise. On the other end is a spa area that is very close to that of a hot tub, complete with seats, jets, speakers, interior lighting, and more.

For most, swim spas are completely worth it. Some of the top benefits of owning and using a swim spa on a regular basis can include:

• Increased home value
• Better quality of life
• Improved backyard lifestyle
• Improved overall health
• Reduced stress
• Weight maintenance
• Eased muscle tension
• Soothed joint pain
• Improved sleep patterns
• Better post-injury recovery

The best pools depend on the design, manufacturing and materials behind it. The best pools tend to have a higher price point, to pay for the higher-quality craftsmanship and materials to ensure a sound product. The best pools tend to have fewer costly repairs, reduced risk of leaking, enhanced style and aesthetic, and a longer lifespan.

High-quality pool materials you should be looking for can include:

• Steel-reinforced concrete
• Plaster
• Shotcrete or gunite finishes
• Tile, stone and pebble aggregate surfaces
• Fiberglass
• Vinyl lining

• Enhanced safety: access to the pool can be blocked off by a latched/locked gate
• Cost-effective: installing an above-ground swimming pool with a ladder or small deck can help cut costs
• Mobility: easier to dismantle and relocate if you were to move houses and wanted to bring the pool with you
• Faster installation: above-ground pools offer a faster installation process since you do not have to dig and install underground

• Functionality: built directly into the landscape, in-ground pools can become one with the backyard, creating a more complete outdoor space with different areas for entertainment
• Aesthetic: complete with stone surfaces, water features, flower gardens, and exterior lighting, the installation of an in-ground pool can help create a beautiful backyard paradise
• Home value: permanent and enjoyable, an in-ground pool might boost the value of your home or make it more of a hot commodity while on the market.
• Longevity: expertly-installed and surrounded with concrete, in-ground pool installations tend to last much longer than above-ground ones, with added protection from the elements and a more permanent structure