Keep Testing – Keep Control – Keep Safe
Keep Testing – Keep Control – Keep Safe
What's hidden in your water?
There are some pretty horrible sounding health risks associated with hot tubs. With the water being so warm chlorine and other disinfectants are broken down much faster than in a swimming pool, giving an increase risk of infection.
So what infections should you be aware of?
Hot Tub Rash
Irritation from bodily fluids
Irritation from bodily fluids
This isn't the nicest of subjects but its an important one!
Every time someone jumps in a hot tub they also take their leftover faecal matter with them. Its thought that the average person will have around the one gram of faeces in their gluteal fold which will inevitably end up in the water. So if you have five or six people in the hot tub all at once you are looking at around a table spoon of poop, its probably worth getting someone else to clean the filter!
When you start adding other bodily fluids such as urine and sweat into the mix they react with the chlorine and create an irritant called chloramine. Chloramine can cause mild symptoms like coughing and red, irritated eyes.
Legionnaires' Disease
Legionella is a germ that causes a severe type of pneumonia, which you can contract from inhaling bacteria from the water aerosols caused by jets, bubbling etc of a contaminated hot tub. A day or so after being in the hot tub symptoms like headache, fever, chills and muscle painusually develop, around the third day you might develop a cough, shortness of breath. chest pains and confusion. People over the age of 50, smoke and have lung conditions are most susceptible to Legionnaires.
To help prevent legionella growth you should monitor your hot tub with a accurate and reliable testing kit to help maintain proper disinfectant residuals and pH, even when not in use. Always follow manufacture recommendations for cleaning, filter replacement, and all other maintenance activities.
Illnesses from parasites
Crypto is caused by ingesting a microscopic parasite called Cryptosporidium. Due to the parasites tough outer shell it can survive for more than 7 days, even in properly chlorinated water. Crypto is spread by swallowing water that has been contaminated with poop containing Crypto. It can take only 10 or fewer germs to cause infection, meaning ingesting only a small amount can make you sick. Symptoms you can expect to have from Crypto are diarrhea, dehydration, and stomach and abdominal cramps.
Take the hassle out of getting your test kit or refill packs. Order online and get them delivered directly to your home.
Would you prefer to head down to your local pool or hot tub shop? If so we've listed some of our preferred suppliers for you. Take a look and see if there is a shop local to you.
The Lovibond® Compact Pool Test Kit enables you to measure accurately the key parameters of chlorine, pH and bromine easily and accurately ensuring your water is safe for all users. Suitable for all pool and hot tubs.
The Scuba II takes testing to the next level as the meter gives a digital readout taking away the need to compare colours. This handheld unit is easy to use and will measure chlorine (free and total), bromine, pH plus total alkalinity and cyanuric acid making it a must for all pool and hot tub users.
A firm favourite with pool users for many years the Lovibond® Pooltester gives accurate readings for chlorine and pH. The large blocks means colour matching is easier for enhanced user confidence.
If you are running low on tablets then our re-fill packs will be just what you need. Available for all of our test kits these handy packs will ensure you can keep on top of your water testing.
