Owner’s FAQs

FAQ's

HOT TUB FAQ’s

As you shop for a hot tub, you will learn that prices vary, depending on a variety of factors. So answering the hot tub pricing question is more complex than it seems. We recommend that you read the most helpful and in-depth article on hot tub pricing by Hot Spring® spa, the global leader in hot tub manufacturing. This article explains all of the hot tub price factors and includes price ranges for entry-level hot tubs, value-priced hot tubs, premium hot tubs, and luxury hot tubs. We have hot tubs on display in our showroom that range from as low as $3000.00 to $16,000.00 or more. Our trained staff will work with you and your family to select the right hot tub for your needs. Our number one goal is to help you make the right decision on a hot tub that will bring you years of well-being and happiness.

Consult the troubleshooting guide in the back of your Hot Spring spa owner’s manual. In it you will find step-by-step instructions that help owners check for common issues. This troubleshooting process does not require any technical ability to perform.

We should be available to assist – please give The Spa Team a call!

You can go to HotSpring.com and download the owner’s manual for your spa or contact Snake River Pool & Spa and we can email one to you.

loaters dispense chemicals into the spa water 24/7, whether they’re needed or not. When the spa is closed and the jets off, the floater will stay in one location in the spa, spilling chemicals onto the horizontal surfaces immediately below it. Because the tablet does not dissolve evenly, those bits will etch and pit the plastic shell surface, leaving a rough surface that will not be comfortable to sit on and can damage swimsuits. These rough patches cannot be sanded or removed from the shell. View Hot Spring water care products

Hot Spring does not recommend using any type of oils or bath salts in your spa because they tend to gum up the filters and damage the electrical components in the spa. Using these products does not void the spa’s warranty, but any service needed to repair the spa because of damage caused by the use of non-approved chemicals is not covered by the warranty. Those can be expensive repairs, so we recommend checking with us before you use any new chemical or oil in your spa.

The first thing is to determine what spa sizes you are considering. Some spas do not offer the option of 110v service. It also depends on how you plan to use the spa. Basically, having a spa hooked up for 230v service means that the jets and the heater can operate at the same time. With a 110v unit, the heater will not come back on until you turn off the jets. If your new spa is going to be “party central” with several people in and out of the spa over a few hours, you might be happier with a 230v hookup. If your spa is going to be a quiet refuge for one or two people who enjoy a hot water soak with no jets, then a 110v unit might be best. Also, you need to consider whether you are installing your spa indoors or outdoors and whether you plan to use it year-round. Since many different factors go into this decision, give your dealer or Hot Spring Consumer Service team a call before you buy. We’ll be glad to provide the information you need to make the best decision for your spa enjoyment.

Developing a working relationship with your locally authorized dealer is the best way for you to protect your investment in a used spa. Your authorized Hot Spring dealer, Snake River Pool & Spa will have the factory-recommended components and water care products that will extend the life of your spa. They also have the latest information from the factory regarding any component upgrades needed for older spas.

Authorized Hot Spring dealers like Snake River Pool & Spa, are required by contract to deliver and provide warranted service for all new spa sales from their store. This ensures that the spa will not be damaged in transport between the dealership and your home. This also means the dealer will have the technical staff to service your spa if/when needed. If you were to buy a Hot Spring spa farther from the delivery destination, the selling dealer may charge you a trip fee for their technician to travel to your home. What you saved in the initial purchase price may not compare to what you might have to pay the dealer for their travel. Dealer travel charges, is issued, are not covered by your spa’s warranty.

This question is best asked of your child’s pediatrician or other medical professional. Small children are sometimes less tolerate of exposure to hot water, so ask your doctor before allowing young children to use a spa.

Hot Spring spas carry several different certifications that ensure the spa is safe to use. Some code enforcement personnel mistakenly believe that public pools and private residential spas require the same code compliance and barrier requirements. If you have questions about barrier requirements in your community or region, consult your home owner’s association along with your authorized dealer to obtain the information you need. You may also call the Hot Spring Customer Service team to get help in finding this information.

Yes. We can order parts directly from Watkins, the manufacturer of Hot Spring Spas. If they do not carry the original component, a replacement component of equal or better quality will be provided. We can also provide a replacement cover for your spa that is a custom fit to your Hot Spring Spa.

Only authorized dealers like Snake River Pool & Spa, may sell Hot Spring spas directly to consumers. However, Hot Spring provides warranty coverage for your spa purchase and offers the strongest warranty in the industry. We also offer a warranty on parts purchased and installed by authorized dealers.

POOL FAQ’s

Some reasons include aesthetics, recreation, entertainment, physical fitness, and improving the overall quality of life.

Your pool should be installed by a properly trained builder who has references of other jobs. In addition, you should make sure prior to the installation, that the pool is placed in the proper location to take advantage of the sun and view from your home. Something that some people do not consider when deciding to put a pool in their backyard is the impact that the pool will have on your life – your backyard could become the gathering spot in the neighborhood.

As long as your fiberglass pool remains full of water it will NEVER pop out of the ground.
Are concrete pools stronger than fiberglass pools?

Viking Pools are virtually maintenance free. On average, a homeowner can save up to $225.00 per month on their Viking Pool maintenance versus other types of pools. In-floor cleaning systems can also be installed to make cleaning even more manageable.

Swimming pools make the home more attractive to the buyer and can increase the value of your home/property.

Yes, not only does a Viking pool use less chemicals and energy; they also never need to be re-plastered nor does it have a liner to replace resulting in less waste in our landfills.

Chlorine residual – Every day, if no marked change every other day or twice per week.
pH level – Every day, if no marked change every other day or twice per week.
Total alkalinity – Every four to six weeks.
Calcium hardness – Every two to three months.
Metal content – Every two to three months.
Cyanuric acid, total dissolved solids – Every six months the pool water should be tested for chlorine residual, pH level, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, copper and iron after each rain of consequence or upon addition of more than eight inches of fresh water.

SWIM SPA FAQ’s

We offer a complete line of Endless Pools fitness systems with prices starting at $19,999. Call Snake River Pool & Spa for pricing on all our products.

Endless Pools Fitness Systems can be installed in virtually any ground-floor space in your home. Existing spaces like basements and garages are particularly suitable as the modular design of many of our pools allows them to fit into many areas. In warmer climates, the pool is often installed in the backyard, or on a patio or deck. Our pools can be installed fully above ground, partially in-ground or fully in-ground with proper panel access.

Yes! Snake River Pool & Spa has two models on display in our Boise store and one in Twin Falls. Just contact us and we can arrange for a time that fits your schedule.

The ability to enjoy all the benefits of warm water year-round, at low cost, is one of the real advantages of an Endless Pool.

Unlike a traditional pool, an Endless Pool requires very little maintenance, on average a few minutes each week to test the water and add your regular maintenance water care items. Also, the Endless Pool cartridge filter needs to be replaced every three to six months, depending upon pool use. The copper/silver cartridges used to kill bacteria and algae, also need to be replaced every three to six months.

It really works! You really can swim or exercise in place against a current set at a speed you select, for as long as you like. No more trips to a membership pool. Imagine the convenience of being able to swim in the privacy, comfort and safety of your home anytime day or night. Because the current holds you in place, you never reach the end of your Endless Pool. This unique swim-in-place feature allows the Endless Pool to be much smaller than a conventional pool, while providing all of the benefits of a full-size pool. The Endless Pool is so carefree it even maintains your favorite water temperature automatically!

The Endless Pool a new copper/silver purifier to help sanitize the pool water. This system automatically adds ions to the water to inhibit bacteria growth and copper ions to kill algae. You still must use a small amount of chlorine to oxidize the contaminants. This amount of chlorine is substantially less than the amount needed in a typical chlorinated pool.

While in theory, Saltwater Pools are a fine idea, there are several obstacles that keep this type of system from being the ideal solution for your Endless Pool. Saltwater Pool Systems still need chlorine to oxidize the pool contaminants, involve greater upfront and maintenance costs, and produce corrosion to pool equipment including the hydraulically powered underwater treadmill and Swim Machine.
How fast is the current?

The current can go as slow or as fast as you want with the touch of a button. At top speed, the equivalent swim would be 1:08/100 yards or a mile without turns in 20 minutes. We also offer a Performance model with a top speed of 1:05/100 yards. Our Elite model uses a 7.5 hp motor, 2 propellers and a wider opening to create the fastest current available in any swimming machine. With a top speed of 0:51/100 yards it is suitable for competitive swimmers and is used by many of the top collegiate programs and coaches in the world.

In most cases the water in your Endless Pool should be changed every one to two years. This of course is highly dependent on frequency of use and the number of different users. When it is time to fill, the Endless Pool can be filled with a garden hose.

Yes, an Endless Pool is ideal for waist deep aquatic exercise. Our optional deeper pools are suitable for non-swimming vertically oriented water workouts. We offer pools ranging in depth from 39″ to 6′ for deep-water running with a wet vest.

Personal lap pools are usually one lane wide, about 3′-6′ deep and usually require a 50′ to 75′ length to satisfy most serious swimmers. The Endless Pool takes up much less space, is easier to maintain and more economical to run than a traditional lap pool.

It usually takes only a few seconds to learn how to swim “against the current.” Most first-time swimmers are so thrilled by seeing how easy it is that they pop up and say with a big smile, “this thing really works!”

Our Endless Pools Fitness Systems Models are available with 20 foot of swim and exercise area in the E2000, the 17 foot E700, and a 15 foot E500. Our Swimcross Exercise Systems models are available in a 15 foot X500, and the X200 with 12 feet of swim and exercise area.

The swim current is generated by a 16″ propeller inside a protective acrylic case that is driven by a 5 hp hydraulic motor. The current is adjustable in speed from zero to a racer’s pace. The Endless Pool current is much superior to currents generated by jets. The Endless Pool propulsion unit can move a huge amount of water – up to 5,000 gallons a minute – under low pressure from a large opening (21″x16″) producing a river-like current. Our Performance and Elite models use two propellers and a larger 24″ x 18″ opening to move more water, creating a smoother, deeper, and faster current.

The Endless Pool is primarily intended for water exercises and fun including swimming, aqua-aerobics, and aquatic therapy. It is not generally advisable to exercise in water that is warmer than 90°F. The E2000 Fitness System is equipped with a wall separating the swim area from the spa area providing spa seating with 34 Hydromassage Jets.

The depth of the water ranges from 39″(which is the standard depth of a lap pool) to 49″

The current of the Endless Pool is confined to the center of the pool. If you want to get out of the current, all you have to do is take one step sideways out of the current into calm water. The pool has been tested by NSF and is VGB 2008

Yes, you can take your Endless Pool with you. There is a fee to move your spa from your current location to a new one and will depend on a variety of factors. The Spa Team would be happy to provide a quote for you.

SAUNA FAQ’s

The appropriate temperature for a sauna depends on your preference! Most people prefer to enjoy their sauna at temperatures between 150-175 degrees Fahrenheit for traditional saunas and 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit for infrared saunas.

While this, too, varies between individuals – one can usually stay in the sauna until they begin to feel uncomfortable. Typically, remain in the sauna for about 10-15 minutes and then take a break to cool off for several minutes. Then you can feel free to return to the sauna for another “inning.” A Finnleo sauna experience can be truly relaxing and rewarding, but don’t stay in the sauna for extended periods of time. Set the temperature and humidity level (if you are using a traditional sauna) to your ideal level. If you begin to feel dizzy or uncomfortable, simply leave the sauna and cool off.

After your sauna, cleanse your skin via shower or bath to remove any and all residues or salts left behind. A quick rinse will close your pores once again and is the perfect way to end your sauna experience. It is recommended that you moisturize your skin with a high quality moisturizing lotion. It’s also ideal to shampoo your hair afterward. Don’t forget to drink an adequate amount of water, mineral water, fruit or vegetable juice to replace fluids that were lost during your heat bathing.

Pouring water on the rocks of Finnleo traditional sauna heaters is perfectly fine and is an essential aspect of the overall experience! For infrared saunas, however, the humidity will be ambient. The new BWT feature on the Vena-T, Himalaya, and Laava makes adding water even easier than ever.

Be sure to consult your personal physician if you have any history of heart problems, high blood pressure or any other health problems before enjoying any kind of sauna.

Relaxation is by far the most cited benefit from regular sauna bathers, followed closely by the positive effects seen from detoxification. Download the health benefits of sauna.

If you use your sauna 3 times per week, a 6 kW heater will use approximately $4 to $6 per month. A 2.1 kW heater, on the other hand, would use about $2/month. Far-infrared saunas typically use $3 to $5 per month. Steam baths usually average $3 to $5 per month.

A traditional sauna generally takes between 30 and 45 minutes to fully heat up. During this time, the rocks will be heated to the perfect temperature for soft heat and soft steam. With the addition of a Saunatonttu heater, the sauna heat up time is halved. It takes about 10 minutes for an infrared sauna to heat up. After 10 minutes, the air has warmed up a little and the emitters are running at full power.

SAUNA MATERIALS/INSTALLATION FAQ’s

No, not necessarily. That said, it may be more convenient for cleaning purposes – especially with our traditional saunas.

or traditional saunas, the best kind of floor for a sauna is cement, tile or anything that doesn’t absorb water. For infrared saunas, wood or tile is perfect. Carpet, however, should never be used – as it absorbs sweat and odors.

To find out the appropriate heater size for your sauna, measure Length x Width x Height to find the cubic footage. Next, find the correct heater on the Finnleo or Helo heater sizing chart. On the infrared saunas, the ideal amount of emitters and wattage has already been calculated for each room.

Standard breakers should be used. They should be sized for the heater in to correspond with the National Electric Code. Standard Infrared saunas, however, can be easily plugged in to normal household 120 volt outlets (15 and 20 amp).

There are many variables to consider when choosing the appropriate wood choice for performance in a given sauna. All the woods used in our saunas have been used for hundreds of years and have long proven their viability for sauna use. Wood choice is also largely contingent upon user preference and style. We hand select clear softwoods such as Western Red Cedar and vertical grain Canadian Hemlock and fine-grained European woods such as European Alder and Nordic White Spruce. We then complement these choices by matching bench materials which enhance the sauna user’s comfort levels. We determine the most ideal profiles, thickness specifications, framing materials, hardware – and give you a product that is built to perform and to last. Our warranties and decades of experience will give you further piece of mind when considering our wood choice expertise.