Can You Use A Hot Tub In The Rain? (Interesting Tips Included)
To many, hot tubbing while it’s raining is a fantasy. A fantasy that they have been afraid of trying out. And judging from you being here reading this article, I’m sure you are one of them. But, let’s cut to the chase. Can you use a hot tub in the rain?
It is completely safe to use your outdoor hot tub during rain. Rainwater would not damage the tub, as many would believe. Except in areas where rainwater is acidic. But you need to be cautious when using them in the rain. Avoiding going into your hot tub during a lightning storm is advised.
Since hot tubs are usually associated with sunny weather, it may feel strange for most people to sit in them while it's raining. Read the rest of the article to find out how you can make this experience more exquisite, but with proper safety. Additionally, you would be able to discover which weather conditions aren't ideal for hot tubs.
How Safe Is It to Use a Hot Tub in The Rain?
As mentioned, it is completely safe to use a hot tub in the rain. It makes a phenomenal combination because the cold rainwater compliments the hot water in the tub perfectly.
Many of you might think, hot tub’s electrical components can get damaged when they come into contact with rainwater. To make things clear for you, it is highly unlikely for that to happen. It comes as no surprise that these parts were already designed to be waterproof because they are meant to be used in wet conditions. Hence, rain cannot affect them.
Nevertheless, you must protect the sockets where the wires are connected. You can use premade outlet boxes that can cover them, or just use a plastic box to keep them dry when it rains. Make sure you are connecting the wires in indoor outlets, so there is no chance of moisture getting inside them. Water and electricity are the worst enemies you can think of!
Before you get into the tub, start preparing it so everyone can be comfortable in it while it rains. Clean it with sanitizers and run a strip test to make sure the chemical levels are appropriate for you. It is also important to keep the temperature of the water at a comfortable level so the experience is enjoyable for everyone in the tub.
Some Tips on Enjoying Your Hot Tub in The Rain
Here are a few tips that will improve your experience in the hot tubs when it downpours on you. Despite being ordinary household items, they will feel luxurious each time you use them. Outdoor safety can be a problem during rainy weather, and when there is a hot tub present, additional safety measures should be followed.
1. Wear Slippers
Rain makes outdoor decks slippery. When there is a hot tub around, chances are there will also be splashes of water all around the floor. Therefore, people have a high risk of slipping and falling, which can cause serious accidents. This is the last thing you should want in your home. Hence, slippers are a must if you wish to prevent this from happening.
You should always keep extra footwear on hand in case guests come over to use your hot tub. Alternatively, you can use old plastic shoes that you no longer wear. In situations like this, the more grip the shoes have, the better. You can also use travertine tiles for outdoor installations since they are non-slippery materials. So, you would not have to worry about slippery decks.
2. Warm Towels and Robes
Few minutes before you head towards the hot tub, place your robes and towels into the dryer. This will ensure you are having the best experience even after getting out of the tub. Once you have spent some time in the rain, these warm towels and robes will keep you nice and toasty.
Furthermore, when you are completely dry with a warm towel, the chances of getting sick from the rain are reduced. Hot towels can also be used to steam your face. You can use this to hydrate your skin and to open your pores so that the moisturizer you apply after you take a shower will be easily absorbed. Therefore, the day will become a personal spa day in the rain!
3. Hot Beverages
Always keep hot beverages around when you are soaking in the rain. The drinks will keep you warm, reducing your chances of catching a cold or fever the next day. The most effective option would be to brew some ginger tea. Fill a kettle with it so everyone can enjoy it. You can also drink it while you are in the hot tub.
Hot chocolates are also nice to have at this time. The hot water from the tub, the cold rainwater, and a mug filled with hot chocolate sound heavenly, doesn’t it? The kids at home will most certainly love it too!
4. Aromatherapy
Relaxing aromatherapy treatment is a wonderful way to de-stress and unwind. It can help with your joint pains, anxiety, headaches, migraines, you name it! As you are using hot water in the tub, it will also help in soothing muscle pains and improve your sleep quality.
When it comes to selecting a scent, there are a lot of options, ranging from lemon to Hawaiian sunset. Therefore, you can experience aromatherapy benefits depending on what best suits your preferences in the hot tub. You can also purchase crystals that promote relaxation and healing while you are in the rain!
5. Use An Umbrella or A Cap
If you are someone who dislikes rain splashing on your face or head, then you can use a head umbrella or cap as a cover. It would work as a shield and protect you from cold water. The rainwater will create amazing sounds when it hits the cap on your head at the same time. So, in addition, it serves as sound therapy.
If, however, you don't like the sound, you can always purchase larger outdoor umbrellas that can completely cover up your hot tub. It will allow you to use the tub without having to get wet in the rain if you prefer it that way. Hats on the other hand might not protect you from soaking in the rain, but they would prevent water from splashing on your face.
Are Hot Tubs Safe to Use During Thunderstorms?
No way! Using hot tubs during thunderstorms is practically a life-threatening endeavor. Hence, never use a hot tub when you hear lightning outside. The consequences of doing this can be severe, so you need to be extremely careful.
A flash of lightning can easily strike a person when they are in the water. Even if the lightning was miles away from the accident spot. Globally, there are 4101 fatalities caused by lightning each year.
Indoor hot tubs also fall under this category. The risks are as great as those posed by outdoor hot tubs. It is because lightning can travel through electric lines and plumbing systems. In other words, using an indoor hot tub during a thunderstorm too puts you at risk of becoming electrocuted. Hence, the best thing to do is to avoid water during a lightning storm.
Does Rain Affect the Hot Tub Water?
Rainwater usually does not affect hot tub water. However, some variables can have a significant impact if overlooked. Some areas of the world experience acidic rainwater, where the pH levels can drop to 5.0. According to experts, 6.5 is already a dangerous level. In that case, rain water can also decrease the pH of the hot tub water and cause harm to you.
To ensure that people are not allergic to hot tub water, the water should have a pH level of 7.2 to 7.8. Lower pH levels can cause skin and eye irritation, which can lead to other serious problems. Hence, you should check weather reports to understand how acidic the rainwater is in your area. It will ensure you have a safe experience every time.
Remember, light rains are not a problem. On the other hand, heavy showers can result in a lot of debris in your backyard and hot tub. The strong winds during a rainstorm bring a lot of flying pollen, dust, algae spores, and other organic matter that are commonly found on the surface. Hence, resulting in blocked pumps and drainage in the tub.
Rainwater can also carry a variety of organic contaminants, including high concentrations of phosphates and nitrates, which algae love. If these are left untreated for a while it can damage and disrupt the chemical balance of the tub as well. Therefore, you should always take steps to prevent this from happening in the first place, since prevention is better than cure.
There are many hot tub covers available online that can protect your tub from these issues. It is also possible to use umbrellas when it rains to cover the tub. In this way, no debris or pollen will enter the hot tub drainage system, ensuring a safe and enjoyable bath every time!
It's also a great idea to wait at least 20 minutes before jumping into your hot tub in the rain. Rain water after that first 20 minutes is safe for the most part.
Hot tubs are an amazing addition to any home. It creates a fancy and expensive atmosphere around the property.
Using these during rain is such a beautiful experience and everyone should try it at least once. I hope this article has cleared your confusion around whether or not can you use a hot tub in the rain and more. Thanks for reading!
