Frequently Asked Questions
Cedar tubs typically last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. Though many customers have many more years of enjoyment and call us to replace their 35 year old tub. How long it lasts depends predominantly on the environment and maintenance. We use clear grain (no knots) Western Red Cedar exclusively to maximize the lifespan of your tub.
Unmaintained cedar will turn grey over time, and many customers choose to let this happen. However, you can keep it looking “bright” with boiled linseed oil or oil based preservative applied annually. Ask us for recommendations based on your area.
The Snorkel stove is our original and bigger stove. The Scuba is smaller and is designed for either 4’ or 5’ diameter tubs. The Snorkel stove will heat the hot tub approximately twice as fast as a Scuba Stove.
Heating rate varies based on the size of tub and the power of the heating system. Custom heating systems are also available. Please see the heating rate chart: https://erp.snorkel.com/blog/product-details-12/heating-rates-30.
The vinyl cover has an insulating value (R-value) of 16, meaning it has a moderate to high level of heat flow reduction. The cedar cover on the other hand is designed to block debris and maintain the cedar aesthetic, so it will not be very effective at retaining heat.
It depends on the size of the tub. Our tubs hold a range of 190 to 1250 gallons, at 8.3 pounds added per gallon this ranges from 1870 lbs and 11000 lbs. See the specification chart here: https://erp.snorkel.com/blog/guides-11/tub-sizing-balancing-space-capacity-and-cost-23.
Hot tubs should never be used by children without supervision. Children need cooler hot tub temperatures between 95-98F or lower. Children under 5 years old should generally avoid hot tubs.
Depending on the order complexity the time from order to shipping is as short as a few days up to 4-6 weeks. The biggest factor deciding this is custom cabinetry orders such as shelters or surrounds for the tub.
Shipping overseas on a boat typically requires a bulk order for the shipping costs to make sense. All North America shipments are done via truck.
Yes we can assemble and ship your tub at additional cost. Be mindful of how you’ll place the fully assembled hot tub on your property based on the dimensions of your tub. 90% of our customers build their own barrel and can transport all the materials more easily to the install location.
Tub installs typically takes two days if pre-assembled, otherwise up to two weeks. Powered tubs require licensed professionals to help with the installation.
We strongly recommend having a licensed electrician assist with installing the tub electronics, in particular a Pool/Spa expert if one is available.
The outside of the tub is a natural product and will weather according to the environment. Many customers choose to let them go grey. Every 5 to 7 years customers should go through a tune-up process where the barrel is dried out in the heat of summer and the bands are re-tightened. Staves can be replaced if needed during this time.
It depends. Tub water does need to be replaced, although how often it gets replaced is up to you. Depending on how often you replace the water, chemicals may not be needed. We advise one of three methods of sanitation:
Japanese Style: Bathe well before every time you want to use your tub, and cycle the water every 1-2 weeks depending on the load and frequency of tub use. This method will use the most water, but will not require any additional sanitizing or oxidizing chemicals.
Ions: We sell instant ions that sanitize the water without oxidizing it, and we advise using it alongside either chlorine or a non-chlorinated spa shock to provide the oxidization. The tub is safe to enter in around 15 minutes after adding the chemicals, compared to a longer wait time with liquid or granular chlorine. With this method of sanitation the tub water should be good for 1-2 months, or as long as 2-3 months if a chlorine residual is used.
Chlorine: Liquid or granular chlorine both sanitizes and oxidizes the water and is safe for the tub, however we do not recommend using chlorine pucks intended for pools. The tub will be safe to enter in at most 24 hours after the chlorine is added. Using this method the water will be good for 2-3 months.
When draining your tub to cycle the water, we recommend using this opportunity to clean the tub as well with a Bleach (8:1 water to bleach ratio) or Hydrogen Peroxide (4:1 water to peroxide ratio) solution. A moderately stiff plastic bristle brush should be used to scrub the tub, rinsing clean afterwards before refilling.
Cedar tubs take the least wear and tear when left full and saturated with water. If possible it is best to leave water in the tub while you are gone on vacation unless freezing temperatures are a concern, then drain, clean and refill it when you return.
If the tub freezes solid when full, damage to the tub is likely. We recommend either allowing no more than a couple of inches of ice to form on the surface, or to drain the tub down to six inches of water if the tub will be unattended during the winter months. Our floating foam and vinyl covers can help to prevent freezing, but our wood and aluminum covers will not. Powered tub owners should drain the heat system and plumbing completely if you are leaving town and don’t have backup power and leave ~2-3 inches of water in the tub to freeze.
Cedar has natural oils, called tannins, that leach out of the wood to turn the water into a color similar to a cup of tea. This coloring is strongest during the first 12-18 months of ownership of a new tub and fades over time.