spa_repair_guy

Simply a fine tub from a quality manufacturer. srg

"Jim_the_Jim no longer considers me the "only honest moderator" on this site and has banned me from his. " 'Tis a badge of honor that many of us gladly wear. Goes sumptin like this, "You want proof? You question the fackts I just made up?? You is BANdNED! (hic)" Kinda looks like that one's fading into the sunset anyway. "Happy trails to you, until we meet again." SRG

I have used (over the years) the spray-in insulating foam on many poorly protected spas. Usually I turn them on edge and remove the lower panel. In some cases like jacuzzi models I had to either remove side panels or reach in from the equipment area. The most common failed areas are the corners, the shell to cabinet, and between the removable panels. I'd concentrate on those areas. Ages ago we'd stuff foam insulation into trash bags and load the cabinet, except the equipment area, with those same bags. A floating solar blanket can help. A very high quality cover can be HUGE. srg

Do not trust a reading for pH after you shock. The water tested will usually show a darker color (phenol blue) after it is oxidized. With the exception of tablets, always run your jets when you add chemicals to the spa, 100 TA is fine. 7.8 is high but test it the next day to verify the results. Chlorine free shock will lower pH. Wait at least 24 hours between adding chemicals and retesting. srg

Is wood outdoors durable? My cedar fence is 20 years old and looks pretty good. I have serviced, removed and replaced wooden hot tubs. I have seen them for years. Usually if there is a problem it comes when someone has emptied it and allowed it to dry. The wood will gap until it swells again. The highest quality units should give you years of service. You will need gas or propane heat. If you are in a snowy area I'd get a wood slat cover. srg

A portable spa with 400 gallons will weigh 3900 pounds filled. If wet conditions (like rain and splash over) saturate the ground surrounding the spa it can tilt. When it does the problem accelerates. That said, I always recommend that spas be placed on solid concrete surfaces. Like snowshoes, kind of, it spreads the hydrostatic load. srg

true but what I found was http://www.selberg.org/~speed/havenspas/index.html srg

Hey fin? You new to Jim's world? If so....welcome. Everything Jim says is contradicting. Like Gym says: "not it's not yes it is no it's not yes it's not no it is yes it's no it's all in your unnerstanding of injuneering and seance " so sayeth the Jim srg

These two statements are quite different. Post hangover corrections I would imagine srg Doncha just love that D.U.M. comment a few thousand posts ago?

Y' know I was thinking Why not look at a quality wooden tub? You can go DEEP for therapy and yet remain small. There are ovals and rectangles as well. Try RHTUBS and let us know here how it works out for you. srg

My son who is now 21 years old has been repairing and building hot tubs for 11 years. He loves all the junky spas out there sold by other companies. Guess why? He came to me one day and said, he has job security because of those tubs. He has his own spa repair business and is doing well. Do you know that our first tubs we delivered nearly 10 years ago are still running on the same equipment. That is because we are very particular about the spas we sell. We do not accept any blemishes nor do we accept any defects. We only use the best plumbing pipes and the best brands of jets. We put in steel control boxes and pay a premium for them because cheap plastic catches on fire. We use 2x4 frames because it is stronger than any cabinet. We use pressure treated. We use thermally closed design, on the insulation because it is the only design that works for all climates and is far superior to full foam. I have participated in the warranty work for 17 different spa brands and ran a fix em all service center in Colorado for over 12 years. Our spas are based upon not following other people's mistakes. One of our reps has been repairing spas for 24 years. If you want to contact him and find out what the differences are in our spas, that would probably wake you up to the truth. Golly Jim_the_Gym did you think I was writing about you?? Why? Whatever kind of guilt made you feel that way? "because cheap plastic catches on fire" Didn't your factory catch on fire a couple of times? (check your dates - you started service in 1985? - check your facts* {as if!} ) srg in case you forgot FACT* : something that has actual existence <space exploration is now a fact> b : an actual occurrence <prove the fact of damage> : a piece of information presented as having objective reality

Why continue with the same design as has been around forever? If you are going to design a better cover, why make it like all the rest and copy them? 1) Vapor barrier. RHTUBS uses a 6 mil polyethylene. Ideal uses something they call "VPB 3000". A friend of mine that also manufacturers spa covers had this stuff analyzed. The report cam back saying it was 3 mil polyethylene with pink dye in it. 2) Heat Sealing Gaskets. RHTUBS uses one continuous gasket running the entire length of the cover. Ideal uses 2 little gaskets at each end on the cover. This leaves the majority of the hinge area insulated. 3) Drain Grommets. RHTUBS has none. Our experience has been that they can scratch the spa if the cover is continually slid off. Also they create a slight barrier that can hold water inside the cover. A brief scan revealed 3 differences but when you read it you see none. I guess we read from a different language base and level of understanding. I'll take the RHTUBS cover over others and remain happy. srg

I haven't used these guys for a loooooong time but they were very good. Stainless Steel Spas You may take a look. srg http://www.bradfordproducts.com

"It will all work itself out, but in the mean time I am not going to support cheaply made products being sold at high margins, which are poor values." " Today, 12:28 AM " I AGREE 100% (yes I was shouting!) This is solid advice. I saw a midwest company buying California factory seconds or was it rejects or was it European models being bleached out or was it returns ...... well whatever it was I see the same spas in stores under the factory name for 1/3 the price without the private label. Anyway, I also heard that this company and its Puddin' Headed owner ripped off the owner's brother who invested in the company. With some luck they will be gone soon. Until then do not encourage them to change for the better. If they start selling more spas because they are more polite, more people will fall for the scam. A decent source for reliability and for company quality is the BBB. If you need the straight scoop on a spa call your local spa service techs that do NOT sell spas. Ask how they like/dislike the spa you are seeking. A service viewpoint causes their opinion to be honest and normally accurate. srg

I think that the BBB is a fair guage of business at large. While I, like most people, do not write to the BBB when you have explored all other options they can get reactions. Most companies that provide a quality service will rarely see their name listed as unfavorable. A vast percentage of shoppers will be reasonable when mistakes arise. I see complaints on decent companies normally when the seller did not get the first chance and those are resolved quickly. BBB leaves the complaint on view for 3 years. In my opinion one or two complaints can slip through the cracks but if a company gets three look CLOSELY, 4 ask many more questions and 5 or more I'd look for another shop in which to part with my hard earned dollars. They are lacking in communication, quality or service. I worry about the ones like me that do not go to BBB but get even by word-of-mouth. This may sound harsh but my company handles 3500 jobs per year between the two states we serve. In the past 3 years we have 3 resolved which is an extemely small percentage. (3 of 10000+ jobs) srg

Your assumptions are revealing. "BTW I grew up on the other side of the tracks with 5 kids and 3 adults in a house that was 1100 square feet with one bath." Nobody wore "cheap" as a badge of honor. Well I guess there's always one!! The entire last section from “Which all leads me to ask:” was not directed toward this "retail-impaired" woman but to society at large. My question about losing the ability to laugh at ourselves and loss of a sense of humor is shown is a stellar example in the screed responding to my original post. The loss of human reasonableness is terrible. The loss of laughter is truly sad. It is within our power as individuals to bring back the best parts of life. If you’ve forgotten when it was “more better” watch reruns of The Andy Griffith Show. Mayberry sets a good example. When Bill Gates puts me in his will I’ll start building Mayberry 2000. Chas, could you be Aunt Bea? Doc, could you be Barney? Jim_the_Jim, ………….. Otis? srg

"Spa price markups = 30-40percent. Does anyone disagree?" I see 30% on mid to high ends and more many times on economy spas. Less on some high ends. Dealers, it's OK to say, "NO!!!" to an offer. Buyers (shoppers), it's OK to ask. Remember all .... TIME HAS VALUE srg

When did price take the place of quality and service in the average shopper's mindset? When I was a kid we always made fun of Kmart. It was considered the insult of a shopper's decision such as, "Where'ja buy THAT ..... at Kmart?!" Now it appears to have become a badge on honor to buy the cheapest thing that can be had. A few days ago a lady asked me to add a new sweep to her pool. I quoted her $598 installed. Her home was an hour drive from my shop. The next day she called to tell me that she had found the same sweep for just over $400 online. She wanted to know why mine was more. My thought (Are people that poorly schooled in the world of business?) I explained that the cost differences were simple. 1) I own/operate and actual business with overhead of insurance, utilities, employees, taxes, etc. 2) I was installing it 3) I would be expected to warranty the item 4) I assume responsibility for workability of the sweep in the future and I didn't pretend to be a business while sitting unshaven in my bathrobe, eating Cheerios (smokin' cigarettes) and watching Cap'n kangaroo. I have a business that can't be closed by shutting down a website or turning off my cell phone. Which all leads me to ask: What happened to pride of ownership? What happened to courage? What happned to manners? Whatever became of politeness? What happened to our capacity to laugh at ourselves? When did the political left lose its sense of humor? When did we lose the ability to express ourselves in clean language? but on a lighter politically incorrect side ... Would you fire me if I called Jim_The_Jim a "nappy headed ho"? srg

"spa + spa = same" "warranty + warranty = similar" Thank you for clearing that up. I see now that you believe the spas are the same. That speaks volumes. I stand corrected on my typos (Miss Spellings ) but I stand by the realization of your Freudian slip. (Do you have to wear a Freudian slip under a Freudian dress?) Oddly, I do not currently own a portable spa nor do I sell them. I see massive differences from brand to brand. I have not yet received a telephone call from an owner of a major brand spa asking, "How do you add more insulation to this thing?" "How would you go about sealing the gaps at the edges and corners?" "How do YOU get in touch with the manufacturer?" Unlike many, I do not believe that Costco, Home Depot, WalMart, Lowes and others of their ilk sell cheaper because they are wonderful humanitarians. In identical items (3M duct tape [which by the way can be used to fix ANYTHING]) they can price better because of volume purchasing. In things like spas they sell cheaper because they are buying an economy version. I can't remember taking a job because it was easy to quit or buying a product because it was easy to return. I also can't remember having to spend so much time to justify buying quality as do buyers of lesser products. Regarding the worth of dependability: When I place a value on the overall cost of a product, I look at it considering that my time has a monetary worth as well. I do not want to take my time making a new purchase into something better. Manufactures are not in the business of warranty. I prefer to find a product that builds the calls for warranties "out of" the item with quality construction methods. for what it's worth SRG

It seems as though the lifeless losers of the net are attacking when they slip past the moderator. They are usually cleaned up quickly. As near as I can tell the moderators have "real" jobs and cannot babysit here all day and night. SRG

In my experience LA has been a fairly dependable tub with little service required. Let us know what choices you have in your area. SRG

"what I said was they are both the same animal but for two different prices" "what I said was they are both the same animal but for two different prices" (Here it is twice. Read slowly, trace the words with your finger, have someone sound then out for you) Mr. jwillard when you said they were the same animals at different prices are you saying the you PAID for the warranty? Was warranty the "animal"? If not, then you were comparing spas (animals) as being "the same". In doing so you have skirted the issue twice at least in this thread. Or maybe you said the spas were the same but the warrantees were only similar. Or maybe the tale goes as the nose grows. Perhaps they had the same similarities or similar sameness. Of course that could explain why you used "vary" in place of "very" as it applies to variations in your interpretation of fact and fiction. srg Convenient, selective reasoning while entertaining is often a window to reality. Cafeteria morality.

I'm curious and confused I don't get a lot of time to visit. Up to now I have always considered myself to have a firm grasp of American English but maybe you could clear it up for me. You said: "Jwillard Mar 12 2007, 01:33 PM I never compared my spa to a 10k tub...what I said was they are both the same animal but for two different prices. I choose to pay 5k versus 10k. The only difference that really matters to me since I am happy with my spa. In your last post you are the one who said it wasnt a 10k tub....your right...I only paid 5k for it! " and then you said: "Jwillard Mar 12 2007, 01:54 PM It really is pretty simple isnt it? Glad you got it! I didnt say they were the same...I said similar....similar warranties. And to be honest, I really dont think a warranty has ever been a deciding factor on if I purchase an item....but thats me. As far as your neighbor's wife...sure whatever....but you still havent told me where the 5k difference is on the costco tub versus a dealer tub. Break it down in simple terms for me please." Here's my dilema: "what I said was they are both the same animal but for two different prices" "I didnt say they were the same...I said similar" In less than 1/2 an hour these posts stand in direct contrast. Unless .. In your screed do the words "same" and "similar" equal each other? Here's an easy question for you Mr. JWillard, What is the precise value of dependability?

"You don't even have the slightest clue about what you are talking about." $ I was about to answer this about now but I can't remember what it was about. "I have done warranty work for 17 different brands of hot tubs." $ This guy works for hot tubs instead of people. This wood make cents. Wood make scents would make sense "I design and build the best hot tubs that have ever been made." $ I thought you said that you bought Phoenix spas, adapted them to what you think works and voided any ETL/UL listings "all you have is a huge ego." No response necessary $$ but speaking of ego $$ "I have already beaten many people in the world of whose smarter." $ Those people "whose" smarter might have used the correct "who's" meaning who is rather than the possessive "I have worked in many places where my work was so much better than anybody else's that the other workers hated me." $ You assuredly gave them many more reasons than getting in their way at work so you shouldn't limit yourself. There's dozens of good solid reasons to hate and pity you. "It is a problem I have been dealing with for a long time, and I just have had to deal with it." $ Dealing with the deal can be a deal of a dealing problem my dealer used to tell me. "Personally it is a curse for me, but it is what God gave me." $ Again with the self limitations! You are a curse to us all. Did you really say that God cursed you? How'd you piss Him off? "When I was a child people called me genius." $ Maybe that's how. ""My music teacher could not believe how fast I learned and how I took to music." $ Umm OK (Think "The Savage Beast') "All of my teachers have been amazed." $ I'll bet few saw a 2nd grader with his driver's license and already shaving "But I don't really give a darn about it at my age." $ Some have said that age promotes wisdom but with ardent vigor you show them to be totally incorrect for the ego driven. "It really sucks to make others look stupid." $ Except on those rare occasions that it's a hoot! "You think about it." $ Okeydoke "When you come up against people who are much wiser, smarter, and are extremely talented, you look like a fool." $ Well, well, well maybe you are not nearly as stupid as you portray yourself to be. "Believe it or not some of my customers are even smarter than me in their fields." $ A slip to an iron clad grip of the obvious "I have a Ph. D. professor of medicine who is working on the brain mapping of the human brain to a much higher degree, resolution, than it has ever been mapped. so, I know how you must feel when you come up against me." $ Oh there we have it! He owns a professor and the Haven brain in on loan for mapping having been replaced with that of Equus asinus. "Try being humble and learning from me, it is to your advantage." I will I will Early morning humor is wonderful Thank you for the lesson Well folks now we can see that this Arjuna character is only here to make all of us laugh. No one takes themselves that seriously. I thought I'd play along for a bit to share the ride. BTW why is it that only one Broomfield spa only company has BBB complaints?

dnjsdad, Soap in any spa is a bad thing. The slime left behind will cause you many days of continual cleaning. On the other hand, if "Bubbles" is that nice girl from the gentlemen's club down by the airport, well, she doesn't normally harm the tub. srg