Sauna maintenance and operation

Are you already the proud owner of a sauna and want it to serve you for a long time and faithfully? Then read this article carefully and follow the advice we have learned from our many years of practice in this field.

Stove

The stove is the heart of the sauna. Usually, electric stoves of different power are used in saunas, tailored to the volume of the sauna. Proper maintenance and operation of the stove guarantees its trouble-free operation and a long period of use. Here are some practical tips for this activity:

A circuit breaker must be installed on the stove's power cable, sized according to the stove's power.
Always use volcanic rocks. Suitable types are Peridotite, Olivine-Dolerite and Olivine with a size between 5–10 cm in diameter.
Wipe the dust off the stones before placing them in the oven.

When placing the stones in the stove, keep the following in mind:

Do not drop rocks on the heaters.
Do not press the stones when placing them between the heaters.
Arrange the stones so that there is space between them to allow air to circulate.

Arrange the stones so that they stick to each other, instead of their weight falling on the stove heaters.
Do not use a stove without stones.
No objects should be placed between the stones or near the stove that would interfere with air circulation.
Due to the large temperature amplitudes, the sauna stones shift and crack. Every 300 hours of operation of the stove, remove the stones, remove all parts of the stones from the bottom of the stove and replace the broken stones with new ones. The number of stones in the stove should always correspond to the manufacturer's instructions.

When the stove is used for the first time, the heaters and stones emit an odor. To remove the odor, the first 2-3 times you run the sauna in operating mode without using it and ventilate it.

If your stove has a built-in thermostat and timer, do not use the timer to turn it off, but install a switch outside the sauna. The timer only turns clockwise and never counterclockwise.

Due to the high temperature, the air in the sauna becomes "dried". It is not recommended that the relative humidity of the air be below 15%. Usually, the humidity is regulated by watering the stones on the stove with water. When watering the stones, follow some basic rules:

Fireplaces are watered only after the stove has been operating for at least 1 hour.
Always water the stones with a ladle with a volume of < 100 ml. The water should evaporate without reaching the rheotans.
Never pour water on the stones if there are people near the stove - the hot steam can burn them.
The water used to water the stones must meet the requirements for clean drinking water.
Only special aromas intended for use in a sauna are allowed to be added to the water.

LINING

The interior of a sauna usually consists of several elements: wooden cladding, glazing, a decorative stone wall behind the stove, salt bricks and a floor.
The wooden sauna paneling is factory-treated for use in this type of room.
When caring for a wooden surface, some basic rules must be followed:

– the sauna should be regularly ventilated after use. To do this, open the ventilation flaps and door widely. If the sauna has forced ventilation, turn on the fan. At a relative humidity of more than 80%, turn on the stove at least once a week at 100⁰С to reduce humidity. The wooden paneling is cleaned at least once a week with a sauna disinfectant. If there are still stains after this treatment, they are removed with fine sandpaper. If resin flows from a resin channel, the sauna is left to cool. Wait for the resin to harden and remove it with a knife, then the area is treated with fine sandpaper and alcohol.

The glazing of the sauna is made with tempered thermal glass. Since the glass becomes quite fragile during tempering, avoid pressure and knocking. Cleaning should be done carefully with glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Regularly check for gaps between the door glass and the frame. The door should close tightly so as not to lose a large amount of heat.

Decorative stone wall behind the stove is cleaned with just water and sauna disinfectant

Salt bricks are wiped with a semi-dry soft cloth and disinfectant, as they are highly hygroscopic. Avoid wetting with water, and ensure that the relative humidity does not exceed 80% for a long time.

The sauna floor is usually covered with a non-slip covering (terracotta, granite, etc.) that is easy to clean. A wooden grate is installed on top of it in the places where you step. The wooden grate is cleaned with a soft cloth and sauna disinfectant. In case of heavy dirt, it is sanded with fine sandpaper. When cleaning the floor, remove the wooden grate from the sauna and then wipe the covering, being careful not to wet the wooden walls.

BENCHES, BACKRESTS AND CUSHIONS

The benches, backrests and cushions in the sauna are usually made of “abachi” /banana wood/. It is soft, porous, with a low density -350kg/cubic meter and does not retain heat.

When using the sauna, use seat pads or towels. After each use of the sauna, wipe the benches, backrests and cushions with a disinfectant. If there are spots, clean with fine sandpaper and then wipe with a sauna disinfectant. Always use products developed for saunas.

In conclusion, let's summarize some key points:

The sauna is designed to give you health and pleasure.

The lifespan of a sauna is like that of all furniture and electrical appliances.

With time and use, materials will age.

Proper maintenance will significantly increase the life of the sauna and reduce the cost of repairs.