CUSTOM SAUNAS BUILT ON VANCOUVER ISLAND
Storm Saunas Care & Maintenance Guide
Congratulations on your Storm Sauna
You’ve invested in a high-performance sauna built for real heat, real use, and real longevity. Like any precision-built system, a little care goes a long way. Follow these guidelines to keep your sauna performing at its best. Your Storm Sauna is backed by our *2-5-10 Warranty — protecting workmanship, systems, and structure — but proper care is essential to protect that investment.
*Some conditions apply.
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Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a soft cloth or sponge.
Wipe benches and walls periodically and let the sauna fully dry after cleaning.
Do not hose out the sauna.
Do not pressure wash.
Do not use harsh cleaners, bleach, vinegar, or chemicals.
Water forced into seams, walls, or insulation will damage the structure and void warranty coverage.
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Follow the heater’s recommended temperature range.
Always preheat with the door closed.
Do not overheat the sauna.
Do not leave the sauna running for long periods with the door open.
Do not try to fast-heat by blocking vents or altering airflow.
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The benches and interior surfaces of your sauna are made from Western Red Cedar, a wood chosen for its natural resistance to moisture and decay. While cedar is highly durable in wet environments, it is also a relatively soft wood and can dent or scratch easily.
Avoid placing hard or sharp objects on the benches.
For longevity and hygiene, we recommend always sitting on a towel.
Do not sit on the benches wearing clothing with metal rivets or hardware, such as cut-off jeans.
Never use steel wool, abrasive pads, or stiff-bristle brushes when cleaning, as they will damage the wood surface.
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The exterior envelope of your Storm Sauna is built from prefabricated metal cladding and Western Red Cedar.
These materials are designed for long-term performance outdoors, but proper cleaning is essential.
Never spray water upward toward the soffits, roof overhangs, or exterior air vents. Water can enter the ceiling space through vent openings and compromise the longevity of your sauna over time.
Never wash any part of your sauna with a pressure washer. Pressure washing can seriously damage cedar siding and deck boards, and it can also tear or loosen the rubber sealing washers on the metal cladding screws and fasteners that keep the sauna weather-tight. Instead, clean exterior surfaces gently:
Deck boards: Wipe with a damp cloth using mild hand soap and water.
Metal cladding: Wipe with a damp cloth or rinse lightly, provided water always falls downwardlike rain.
Cedar siding: Brush off gently with a clean broom. You can also use a very soft bristle brush with mild soap and gently hose off if needed — taking care to avoid spraying toward any air vents, soffits, or electrical components. Because the cedar is rough-milled, cloth fibers can catch in the grain.
Storm Saunas provides a gallon of matching exterior paint for minor siding touch-ups as needed over the life of the sauna. Exterior cleaning should always be gentle — your sauna is built to handle weather, not high-pressure washing.
If you ever have questions about cleaning, maintenance, or long-term care, we encourage you to contact Storm Saunas directly. We’re always happy to help you protect your investment and get the best performance from your sauna.
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In extreme cold, do not shock the wood by going from freezing to full heat instantly. Rapid expansion stresses the wood and leads to cracking, warping, and seal failure. Heat up the sauna in temperature stages.
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Only pour water on the sauna stones using clean, fresh water.
Do not over water the rocks. This can damage the heater elements.
Manufactures suggestions are below:
For Huum heaters, a small ladle (about 80 ml / roughly ¼ cup) of water at a time is recommended. Add more only after the steam settles and the stones reheat.
For Harvia heaters, manufacturers often recommend about 0.2 litres (200 ml / roughly ¾ cup) per ladle as a maximum. Add more only after the steam settles and the stones reheat.
Most essential oils can be flammable. Do not pour oils directly on the rocks.
Do not pour or spray water on the thermostat while the sauna is in use. Water on the thermostat can trick the heater into running too hot, burning out elements and causing premature failure.
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If the sauna is near a pool, hot tub, saltwater system, or ocean air, always rinse off before entering. Chlorine and salt residue will attack the wood, causing discoloration, drying, cracking, and premature deterioration.
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Always gently close the sauna door. Keep hinges and latches clean. Periodically inspect and snug the door hinge set screws using the appropriate Allen key. Due to heat cycling and regular use, these fasteners may loosen over time. Keeping hinge hardware properly tightened helps maintain correct door alignment and prevents door sagging, stress on the glass, and damage to the door jamb.
Do not slam the door.
Do not lean on the glass.
Do not force a sticking door. Slamming can knock the door out of alignment, damage seals, or break the glass.
The glass door and windows are made from 10 mm tempered safety glass. Although highly impact-resistant, this type of glass is designed to fail safely if struck by hard, blunt objects such as metal or stone. Keep porch free of rock, stones or debris.
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Do not block vents.
Do not seal the sauna tightly when wet. Trapped moisture leads to mold, odour, and wood damage. The sauna is designed to ventilate correctly with the door closed. Vents should remain open when the sauna is not in use. The floor is designed to provide airflow beneath the benches. This allows moisture to escape and helps the sauna dry properly between sessions.
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In cold conditions, water can freeze after use and create a slippery ice film on the floor and exterior decking. Use caution when entering and exiting the sauna. We recommend using non-slip mats in these areas to improve traction and reduce the risk of slipping.
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Your Storm Sauna is engineered as a complete system. Any modification voids warranty, including electrical changes, heater swaps, added lighting, added vents, sealed vents, or structural changes. Always contact Storm Saunas before making changes.