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Product Care & Maintenance Guide

Product Care & Maintenance Guide

Premium outdoor products last decades with the right care. Here's exactly what each product category needs — and just as importantly, what it doesn't need.

Gas Fire Pits & Fire Bowls

Routine Maintenance

  • Cover when not in use. A quality vinyl or canvas cover is the single most effective thing you can do for your fire pit's longevity. It keeps water out of the burner pan, prevents debris accumulation, and protects the finish. Always allow the unit to cool completely before covering.
  • Clear the burner pan. Before each use, check the burner pan for leaves, debris, or water that may have accumulated. Clear the burner ports with a small wire or compressed air if they appear blocked.
  • Inspect the gas connection. At the start of each season, inspect the gas hose and connection points for cracks, wear, or damage. Apply soapy water to connections and look for bubbles — any leak should be addressed by a licensed professional before use.
  • Clean the media. Fire glass, lava rock, or decorative stones should be rinsed with clean water once per season to remove dust and ash buildup. Allow to dry completely before use.

Finish-Specific Care

  • Hammered copper: Natural patina development is part of the design — no treatment required. If you prefer a brighter copper tone, copper cleaners can restore the original finish but will need to be reapplied regularly. Most owners embrace the evolving patina.
  • Powder coat: Wipe with mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive cleaners or steel wool. Touch up small chips immediately with matching powder coat touch-up paint to prevent rust.
  • GFRC concrete: Wipe clean with water. A concrete sealer applied annually maintains the surface and prevents staining. Avoid acid-based cleaners.
  • Stainless steel: Wipe with the grain using a stainless-specific cleaner. Avoid steel wool. Salt air environments (coastal properties) require more frequent cleaning to prevent surface oxidation.

Outdoor Sauna Kits (SaunaLife Thermo-Spruce)

The good news: Nordic Thermo-Spruce requires dramatically less maintenance than conventional cedar or pine sauna kits. The thermal modification process eliminates most of the moisture-related issues that plague conventional outdoor saunas.

  • No sealing or staining required for weather protection. The Thermo-Spruce does not need annual oiling or sealing to maintain its weather resistance.
  • Clean the interior periodically with warm water and a soft brush. For deeper cleaning, a mild sauna-specific cleaner diluted in water is appropriate. Rinse thoroughly.
  • Ventilate after use. Leave the door slightly ajar after each session to allow moisture to escape. Full ventilation between uses prevents moisture buildup and keeps the interior fresh.
  • Check door hardware annually. Tighten any loose screws on hinges and door handles. The thermal cycling from sauna use can work fasteners loose over time.
  • Clear snow from the roof. In heavy snow climates, prevent excessive snow accumulation on the barrel roof. The structure is designed for outdoor use, but concentrated loads in the center of the barrel roof should be cleared.

Sauna Heaters (Harvia Electric)

  • Clean the stones annually. Remove sauna stones and rinse with clean water. Inspect for cracks or crumbling — cracked stones should be replaced, as they can shatter during heating and damage the heater elements. Replace all stones every 3–5 years regardless of appearance.
  • Inspect the heating elements during stone cleaning. Elements should show no visible damage, corrosion, or discoloration beyond normal heat oxidation. If you notice unusual discoloration or pitting, contact us before resuming use.
  • Do not pour water on a cold heater. Always heat the sauna to operating temperature before pouring water over the stones. Pouring water on cold elements can cause thermal shock damage.
  • Keep the area around the heater clear. Maintain the clearance distances specified in your installation manual from walls, benches, and combustible materials at all times.
  • Control panel: Wipe the control panel exterior with a slightly damp cloth. Do not use liquid cleaners on the display or buttons. Keep the panel away from direct water spray.

Pergolas (Powder-Coated Aluminum)

Powder-coated aluminum pergolas require minimal maintenance — that's one of the primary advantages over wood structures.

  • Annual wash: Rinse with a garden hose or wash with mild soap and water once per year. This is typically all that's required.
  • Inspect fasteners annually. Check the anchor bolts at the post bases and tighten any that have worked loose. Check all visible fasteners at beam and rafter connections.
  • Motorized louver systems: Operate the louvers through their full range of motion a few times at the start of each season. If you notice any stiffness or unusual noise, contact us — motor and track issues are covered under warranty if addressed promptly.
  • Touch up chips immediately. If the powder coat is chipped (usually from installation or impact), touch up immediately with matching touch-up paint. Bare aluminum will oxidize slowly and the white oxidation is more visible than a small touch-up mark.
  • Coastal environments: Salt air accelerates oxidation of aluminum frames. Wash monthly (rather than annually) with clean water in coastal installations within 2 miles of salt water.

Pizza Ovens (HPC Forno / Villa / Di Napoli)

  • Cover when not in use. The vinyl cover included with most models protects the glass tile exterior and keeps moisture out of the interior between uses. Critical for preventing freeze-thaw damage to the hearth stone in cold climates.
  • Brush the hearth stone. Use the included oven brush to sweep ash and food debris off the hearth stone after each use, once it has cooled. A clean hearth cooks better and the stone lasts longer without residue buildup.
  • Season the hearth stone. New ovens benefit from a few low-temperature seasoning fires before full-temperature use. Start at 300°F and slowly increase over the first 2–3 uses to cure the stone and refractory cement.
  • Inspect the chimney cap annually. Clear debris from the chimney cap opening. In high-wind areas, the cap can accumulate leaf debris that blocks draft.
  • LP hose inspection: If LP-fueled, inspect the gas hose and regulator before each season for cracking, wear, or damage. Replace every 3–5 years regardless of appearance.

Cold Plunge (Kohler x Remedy Place)

  • Water quality: Change the water every 4–6 weeks under normal use. More frequent changes if the unit is used heavily or by multiple users. Test pH and sanitizer levels weekly.
  • Sanitizer: Use a bromine or non-chlorine oxidizer designed for cold water applications. Standard chlorine tablets are not optimal for cold water temperatures — cold water sanitizer chemistry is different from hot tub chemistry.
  • Filter maintenance: Rinse the filter cartridge monthly with clean water. Replace annually.
  • Chiller unit: Keep the chiller unit ventilated — do not block the air intake or exhaust. Clean dust from the chiller fins with compressed air every 6 months.

Questions about maintaining a specific product? Call 1-732-320-9269, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm EST.