Have you recently purchased a barrel sauna or are you thinking about buying one?
Then you surely know how important it is to take good care of your investment so that you can enjoy it for a long time.
Unfortunately, it happens time and again that owners make mistakes in the maintenance of their barrel saunas , which can lead to damage or an unsightly appearance.
To prevent this from happening to you, we have identified the six biggest mistakes in barrel sauna maintenance and show you how to easily avoid them in this wellnessfuerdraussen.de article.
Read on to ensure your barrel sauna stays in top condition so you can enjoy relaxing moments outdoors at any time.
At a glance:
Why is proper barrel sauna maintenance so important?
Barrel sauna care mistake #1: the wrong base
Barrel sauna care mistake #2: Don't treat the exterior wood
Barrel sauna care mistake #3: missing drip edges
Barrel sauna care mistake #4: not ventilating
Barrel sauna care mistake #5: Not cleaning the inside of the sauna
Barrel sauna maintenance mistake #6: Not maintaining the oven
Barrel sauna care recommendations
Why is proper barrel sauna maintenance so important?
With your barrel sauna in the garden, two factors come together that mercilessly punish incorrect maintenance of the barrel sauna and reward correct maintenance.
The first factor is the wood.
Wood is a living material.
Wood expands when it gets warm and contracts when it gets cold.
Wood becomes cracked when it gets too dry and remains supple when it is oiled.
In your barrel sauna, the wood is exposed to the elements both from the outside (sun, wind, rain) and from the inside by temperature fluctuations.
Without maintenance, the wood can warp and crack.
The second factor is the human being.
We're going into the barrel sauna to sweat.
Sweat forms.
The sweat smells. The sweat is dripping.
It smells like stale sweat.
Without proper maintenance, discoloration and mold growth can occur in the barrel sauna.
Therefore, proper care of a barrel sauna includes three areas:
#1: Exterior care of the barrel sauna
#2: Interior care of the barrel sauna
#3: Maintenance of the barrel sauna oven
And now let's take a closer look at that.
Barrel sauna care mistake #1: the wrong base
Using the wrong base for the barrel sauna is a fundamental mistake.
If the barrel sauna stands directly on the lawn or the ground, moisture or even wetness from the ground penetrates into the planks of the barrel sauna.
There is then no protective layer to protect the barrel sauna from moisture from below.
And since the planks under the barrel sauna are exposed to the elements without protection, the moisture penetrates the planks unhindered.
Here's how to avoid this mistake when maintaining your barrel sauna:
Create a stable and water-resistant base for your barrel sauna. This can be a gravel bed or two or more strip foundations perpendicular to the direction of the barrel sauna.
Place stable planks on the gravel bed or strip foundations to support the weight of the barrel sauna and create a gap between the ground and the barrel sauna.
This prevents moisture from penetrating from below and allows air to circulate under the barrel sauna.
And remember to maintain the required distance from your neighbor and to find out about the barrel sauna permit .
Let's move on to mistake #2 in barrel sauna maintenance.
Barrel sauna care mistake #2: Don't treat the exterior wood
A common mistake in the care of a barrel sauna is not treating the wood on the outside.
To impregnate it.
Again and again.
Barrel saunas can be made from various types of wood.
Nordic spruce and thermally modified wood are very popular.
Thermally modified wood has the advantage that it comes with a basic impregnation due to the thermal treatment.
But all wood must be regularly impregnated against penetrating moisture.
When it rains, moisture forms on the outer wall of the barrel sauna.
In some places, the water cannot drain away immediately.
In untreated wood, capillary forces draw the water through the gaps between the planks into the interior of the barrel sauna.
There, the moisture in the planks decomposes the fabric and the planks of the barrel sauna become rotten.
Not only does it look unsightly, it also destroys your barrel sauna.
Here's how to avoid this mistake when maintaining your barrel sauna:
Impregnate the planks of your barrel sauna on the outside once a year.
A popular product is the HK-Lasur 3in1 from Remmers . It is suitable for exterior wood, without ground contact, for priming, intermediate and final coating.
3in1 means impregnation, primer and varnish.
The Remmers HK-Lasur 3in1 not only provides impregnation, but also primer and wood protection against moisture and UV radiation.
Thanks to the impregnation effect, the wood is protected from moisture and saturation of the material is prevented.
At the same time, the vapor-permeable protective film allows moisture to escape, reducing the risk of damage from moisture.
The hydrophobic effect ensures that wet surfaces dry quickly.
Protecting the plants from the elements minimizes the risk of blue stain and rot.
Another advantage of the HK-Lasur 3in1 is its increased solids content, which offers physical protection against wasp damage.
In addition, the glaze protects the paintwork from mold and algae, which facilitates long-term maintenance.
A particular advantage is that the glaze can be retreated without sanding, which saves time and effort.
With Remmers HK-Lasur 3in1 you can optimally protect your barrel sauna and enjoy it for a long time.
This also applies to other wooden structures in the garden, such as a hot tub with a stove .
Now we'll discuss the construction of the barrel sauna:
Barrel sauna care mistake #3: missing drip edges
Missing drip edges are among the cardinal errors in the construction of a barrel sauna.
If they are missing, water will remain on the outside of the barrel sauna for an excessively long time after rain, and the planks will not dry quickly.
If wood remains wet, this has a negative impact on its structure and durability.
Moisture can penetrate the wood and lead to mold and fungal growth. These can decompose the wood and impair its strength.
Furthermore, the wood can swell and change its shape, which can lead to cracks and deformations.
In the long term, moisture can cause the wood to become rotten and lose stability.
This is what the drip edge of a good barrel sauna should look like:
Here's how to avoid this mistake when maintaining your barrel sauna:
Add drip edges to the sides of the barrel sauna afterwards.
You can use an angle profile as a drip edge for this.
Attach the angle profiles overlapping. Screw the angle profiles to the side, at the end of the shingle-covered roof.
Now add roof shingles in such a way that the water is directed onto the angle profile as a drip edge.
#4 is actually self-evident:
Barrel sauna care mistake #4: not ventilating
Whether you have a barrel sauna with a wood-burning stove or a barrel sauna with an electric stove , a common mistake many barrel sauna owners make is not ventilating sufficiently after using the sauna.
Proper ventilation of the sauna is crucial to prevent moisture and mold growth.
After the sauna session, the air in the sauna is humid and warm.
If you simply close the door after using the sauna, the warm, humid air cannot escape and stagnates in the sauna.
This promotes the formation of mold, which not only smells unpleasant but can also be harmful to health.
Here's how to avoid this mistake when maintaining your barrel sauna:
To avoid this, you should ensure adequate ventilation after using the sauna.
Open the doors and, if available, the windows of the sauna to allow the warm, humid air to escape.
Make sure that the ventilation slots are also open.
If possible, let the sauna air out for a while before entering it again.
This will ensure that the humidity decreases and the sauna remains dry.
Regular ventilation can help your barrel sauna last longer and allow you to enjoy your sauna sessions without the risk of mold growth.
Recommended reading:
Going to the sauna with a cold? Healing or dangerous?
Barrel sauna care mistake #5: Not cleaning the inside of the sauna
Regular maintenance of the sauna room of your barrel sauna is crucial to extend its lifespan and ensure a consistently hygienic sauna experience.
An important part of the maintenance is cleaning the interior.
Here's how to avoid this mistake when maintaining your barrel sauna:
After each sauna session, you should remove any surface dirt immediately.
First, let the barrel sauna cool down, then thoroughly vacuum the floor and the loungers.
It is best to use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to avoid scratching the wood.
Afterwards, you can wipe the interior with a damp, but not wet, cloth. A microfiber cloth is particularly suitable for this, as it effectively absorbs dirt particles.
Make sure you do not use harsh cleaning agents, as these can damage the wood.
Such a basic cleaning should be carried out once a week to ensure optimal cleanliness and a comfortable atmosphere in your barrel sauna.
Another important step in wood care is the thorough cleaning of the sauna interior to remove sweat stains and wood discoloration.
To achieve this, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the barrel sauna once a year.
For this purpose, you can use special sauna cleaners that are available in stores, such as the “ Lahti Sauna Care Set ”.
These cleaners are specially designed to meet the needs of sauna wood and ensure gentle yet effective cleaning.
Please follow the manufacturer's instructions for using the sauna cleaner. Generally, it is recommended to apply the cleaner to the wood and spread it with a soft cloth or brush.
Then let the cleaner soak in for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure that your barrel sauna always looks clean and appealing inside, and that you will enjoy it for a long time.
I have one more mistake:
Barrel sauna maintenance mistake #6: Not maintaining the oven
A neglected sauna heater can lead to numerous problems and significantly shorten the lifespan of the device.
One of the most common consequences of poor maintenance is reduced heating performance.
Deposits such as soot and ash can accumulate inside the oven and impair heat transfer.
This leads to longer heating times and an insufficient temperature inside the sauna.
Here's how to avoid this mistake when maintaining your barrel sauna:
Regular maintenance of the sauna heater is crucial to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
If you use a wood-burning stove, it's important to regularly remove the ash. To do this, wait until the stove has cooled down and use an ash shovel to carefully remove the ash. Make sure there are no embers left before disposing of the ash.
Clean the oven windows as well, since they can become dirty from soot particles. For this, it's best to use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to thoroughly clean the windows.
For the outside of the oven, it is usually sufficient to wipe it with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt.
An electric oven is somewhat easier to maintain. Usually, it's sufficient to regularly wipe the outside with a cloth to remove dust and dirt.
However, make sure that the oven has cooled down before cleaning and that you do not make the cloth too wet to avoid damaging the appliance.
With regular maintenance, your sauna heater will remain in optimal condition and you can enjoy the relaxing sauna experience without any problems.
Barrel sauna care recommendations
To ensure you can enjoy your barrel sauna for as long as possible, I recommend you maintain it using the following measures:
Once a year:
- Stain the exterior wood of a barrel sauna for impregnation, e.g. with Remmers HK-Lasur 3in1.
- Deep cleaning of the interior to remove sweat stains and wood discoloration using a sauna cleaner.
After each sauna session:
- Ventilating the barrel sauna
- Remove surface dirt inside
- Empty the ashes from the oven
We hope this article has given you helpful tips and recommendations for the proper care of your barrel sauna.
Proper maintenance is crucial for the longevity and preservation of the quality of your sauna.
Remember to clean, inspect, and maintain regularly to detect and repair any potential damage early.
Invest time and care in maintaining your sauna to ensure optimal use and relaxation outdoors.
We wish you many relaxing and restful hours in your barrel sauna!
