Things to be wary of when buying a second hand hot tub
There are several reasons why you might want to buy a hot tub, from relaxing in the evening to entertaining party guests and reconnecting with loved ones. However, the cost of purchasing and owning your own personal spa has the potential to be expensive.
That being the case, when money is tight people are still seeking out used hot tubs for sale in the hope of finding a bargain! But looking for second hand spas might not be the best or cheapest option after all; as there are various things you should be wary of. Indeed, there is much to consider when looking for a hot tub on a budget.
Wood rot
If too much moisture has found its way into the wooden structure of a hot tub, there is a good chance it won’t last very long. On inspection, the aesthetic woodwork may look in good condition, but skirts tend to rot from the inside where it’s damp and stagnant.
Therefore, when the time comes to move your second hand hot tub, it could easily fall apart. Checking the cross-members that hold the skirt together is one option, but buying a new hot tub avoids this problem.
Cracks
Hot tubs that sit empty for a long time can cause the shell to dry out, which may lead to cracks. Again, first impressions may seem favourable, but as soon as the hot tub is refilled and heated, the sudden weight of water and stark temperature change can result in cracking.
If the hot tub is full of water, cracks might not be clearly visible either. So, it is a good idea for a hot tub to be completely drained before making a purchase.
Insulation
You may think that used hot tubs for sale will end up being cheaper, but if there is any damage to the insulation, it could cost a lot more in the long run.
Hot tub covers must be a tight fit and show only slight signs of wear and tear. If not, heat could escape and you’ll spend a fortune on energy trying to bring the hot tub back up to temperature before use.
Plumbing
It should be fairly obvious whether pipes and valves are working properly, but if not it could be an expensive repair job requiring the expertise of a trained professional.
What’s more, spare parts for plumbing issues as well as mechanical failures and electronic malfunctions may be difficult to source if the hot tub is really old. It is a truism that ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ but if something is broken, then you may need to tread carefully when making your important purchasing decision. There could be a lot of money at stake, even when buying a used hot tub versus a new one, which may surprise some people!
Hygiene
Despite the fact well maintained hot tubs pose no risk to personal health and safety, you never know whether the seller regularly sanitised the water or maintained appropriate chemical levels.
There could be all sorts of dirt and grime hidden away in the pipes, pumps, hoses and jets, which you have little to no way of knowing about. Flushing out the entire system is one way to go, but buying a new hot tub, which is clean and sanitised from the get go, is highly recommended.
So it seems as though buying a second hand used hot tub might not be the cheapest or best option after all, as there are several pitfalls and perils that you should take into account.
Further information including Hot tub Buying guides are available online which should help you to make up your mind regarding what to buy.