done by using the attached hold-down bands or by other
means. To use the hold-down bands, let each hang down
along the outside of the tub. Use a pencil and mark the
bottom of each buckle on the side of the tub. Next
separate the buckle (two parts) and screw the bottom part
to the side of the tub at your mark with small (3/4”)
screws (included).
Cover security: Included with the cover is a small plastic
“key” that can be used to lock the band buckles to help
ensure they don’t come apart on their own.
Please note that this is not intended to prevent someone
from getting in the tub. To prevent children or others
from getting in the tub you will need to install the tub in a
secure area, such as a secure fenced in area.
Section 10: Finishing the Exterior of your
Tub
We highly recommend
that you protect your tub from
the long-term effects of sun, wind and weather, by
regularly applying oil to the exterior and top rim of the
tub. This will preserve the beauty of cedar. You can
prolong the beautiful color of the tub by treating the
outside and rim only (never the inside) with a coat of teak
oil.
We recommend a product used on the decks of wood
boats called Daly’s Seafin Teak Oil. Teak oil can be found
at a general hardware store, marine supply shop, etc. An
alternative is a 50:50 mixture of mineral oil and
turpentine or mineral spirits. Mineral oil is readily
available in drug and grocery stores. Apply when the tub
is dry with a brush, roller, or rag and allow to soak in. Do
this often to maintain the beauty of the cedar, especially at
first. The best regimen is to apply as much as the tub will
absorb once or twice during installation, and then another
time within a month or two. After that twice annually, or
as required is recommended. Over-oiling is not a risk to
be concerned with. Take care not to get any oil inside the
tub.
Finally, apply a generous coat of plain soft furniture wax
to the top rim (end grain) of the tub. This will act to seal
the exposed end grain on the staves – and prolong the life
of the tub. Repeat the wax treatment on the end grain
similarly to the teak oil schedule. Often at first.
Note: There’s no harm in over-oiling or over-waxing.
If the wood doesn’t look slick and shiny, don’t hesitate
to oil and wax more.
Oiling and waxing the tub is particularly important in
dry and sunny climates.
Section 11: Adding Water
A new wooden tub is like a new wooden boat. It will leak
until the wood swells so be prepared for a few leaks at
first. These will slow and stop as the wood swells. Some
tubs will hold water quickly while others may take much
longer (especially if the fundamental elements of the tub
assembly were not performed well). Your tub will
continue to swell and tighten for several days.
Once your tub is completely assembled, with the heater
plumbed and the benches installed, you can begin the
process of adding water. Here’s how:
First, install the rubber stopper in the drain plug, press
down evenly, hand tight.
Use a garden hose to begin filling the tub. If the tub was
put together correctly you will almost immediately have a
few dripping leaks. Sometimes there will be no leaks.
Sometimes two or three small running leaks. If your tub
has leaks more significant than this, you probably had
over-sized stave gaps. Stop filling and check your stave
gaps again. If you don’t see any gaps on the bottoms of
the staves, proceed.
Be very patient , and stay the course. Fill the tub to about
1” below the rim.
Don’t try to tighten the retention
bands or hit the staves with the mallet when the tub is
full of water.
The leak rate will slow over time. Check it
as needed and add water if needed. Most of the sealing
will happen in the first 48 hours of the tub being kept full.
You should only have two or three slow drip leaks at the
end of 2 days, perhaps less. The swelling process
continues
for at least two weeks
. There’s no need to be
concerned about two or three small drips during this time
period.
Warm water accelerates the swelling of wood. If you
have access to fill the tub with warm or hot water, don’t
hesitate to do so. Also, if the tub is holding water well but
you have a few persistent leaks, and your heater is set up,
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