Frequently Asked Questions
POLICIES
You must give 24 hours notice if you wish to cancel your appointment. If you no show for an appointment, you will be charged a fee of $20. Rescheduling an appointment can be done without penalty within the 24-hour window.
Please arrive 5-10 minutes early for your first appointment. This gives us time to show you around and answer any questions you may have.
Cancellations can only be done via email to surrey@floathouse.ca. A written membership cancellation request must be received at least 1-month in advance of your next billing cycle (example: if you are scheduled to be charged February 14th and you want to cancel for the month of February, you must submit your cancellation request by January 14th.).
Please be respectful to other guests by not speaking too loudly while in the lounge or reception area.
Disconnecting from mobile devices is actually a wonderful thing to do! We endorse this practice while in our centres.
FLOAT THERAPY
Enter into 10" of water with 1000 lbs of Epsom salt. Float therapy is a tool to reset the mind and body. It removes external stimulation for the mind. And it creates a weightless effect on your body.
There are ~1000 pounds of medical grade Epsom salt dissolved in each of our tanks. Salinity is on average around 1.27 grams per cubic centimeter. The higher and higher the salt concentration, the lower and lower the ability for microorganisms to thrive in the water. This automatically gives floatation tanks a leg up on cleanliness when compared to public pools and hot tubs. Before each session, all clients are required to shower prior to entering the tank. After each session, the entire volume of the solution is filtered through a potent filtration and sterilization system. You can find a more detailed explanation in the section below!
Float Water Sanitation:
At Float House Surrey, water sanitation is our top priority so we can provide a safe experience for every client. Our treatment process ensures maximum cleanliness and complies with Fraser Health standards. At the end of your float, a soothing wake-up song will signal the end of your session. As you exit and step into the post-float shower, our filtration cycle begins.
+ Micron Filtration
The Micron Filtration System`s custom X-100 filter is able to filter particles from the water to 1 micron in size and is both NSF 50 and FDA compliant for drinking water (Class 1 Filtration). Our filters are 25 times finer than standard swimming pool filters.
+ UV Light & Ozone
Ozone is injected automatically into the system for 15 minutes during each filtration cycle. Ozone is a powerful oxidizer, destroying dangerous organisms and pathogens including chlorine resistant contaminants. During the entire filtration cycle, UV-C lamps are used to help sterilize the solution. UV-C uses powerful rays of light to prevent the spread of microorganisms, harmful bacteria, viruses, cysts and protozoa.
+ Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP)
When germicidal UV light (UV-C) reacts with ozone, the result is the production of hydroxyl radicals. This reaction is known as the Advanced Oxidation Process, or AOP. Hydroxyl radicals (OH-) are the most powerful oxidation agents available, quickly destroying bacteria, viruses, pathogens and other contaminants that occur in water. Hydroxyl radicals also destroy chlorine and bromine resistant microorganisms, such as Cryptosporidium Parvum, Giardia and E.Coli.
+ Multiple Filtration Cycles
Our filtration system is activated for 20-30 mins between each client, which effectively performs 4-6 full cycles through our treatment cycle.
+ Chemical Usage We maintain a residual level of bromine to comply with Fraser Health guidelines. Our staff manually test and balance the water multiple times per day to uphold optimal conditions.
All of our tanks accommodate only 1 person. We do have multiple rooms so you can bring your partner, friend, or family member and still float at the same time (but in different rooms).
Contamination of our water is a serious offence and carries a financial penalty of minimum $1000. This represents the costs of shutdown and replacement of the solution. Essential oils, soap, hair dye and bodily fluids are strictly prohibited.
Brightly coloured non-permanent hair dye is not allowed in our tanks unless a clean swim cap is used. Hair dye can stain our white float tanks and often requires draining, sanding and polishing procedures to repair. Permanent (natural coloured) hair dye is fine and won’t be an issue.
Float House offers a scent free space and we kindly ask all clients to refrain from using essential oils and perfume/cologne in the float rooms.
Floating and fresh tattoos do not mix! Not only could floating with a fresh tattoo be painful in the salt water but the solution could cause fading or discoloration of your tattoo and permanently ruin its aesthetic appeal. How long you should wait before floating depends on the tattoo and how quickly it heals, but tattoo artists/floaters we have talked to have suggested waiting 4-6 weeks.
We strongly recommend floating in the nude, as wearing a swim suit can take away from the sensory deprivation experience. If you feel more comfortable wearing one, you must wear a clean swim suit in the tank.
You are in complete control of your float experience; meaning you can exit and re-enter the float as many times as you need. Most (if not all) of our clients with worries about claustrophobia, come out post-float with all preconceived anxiety diminished.
It’s not dangerous to fall asleep in the tank. In fact, it is very normal to doze off into light stages of sleep during a session. Some people even use floating for this purpose! One hour of sleep in the tank can be equivalent to 4 hours of regular sleep.
Yes! In fact, pregnant women probably get more relief from the float tank than anyone else. Just lying on a bed can be extremely uncomfortable for a woman in the later stages of pregnancy due to the massive gravitational strain placed on the body. The float tank is a wonderful haven for pregnant women. We do, however, recommend that pregnant women avoid floating during the first trimester. If you have any concerns about the effects of floating on your pregnancy, we ask you to consult and get permission from your physician before you float.
The water in our tanks is only 10″ deep so you can sit up comfortably without having to swim. Since the water is super-saturated with 1000lbs of Epsom salts, you simply lay down and the water will completely support you. Trust the water!
We recommend against floating with large cuts or abrasions. Small cuts are ok, but we recommend using the Vaseline provided to create a barrier between your wound and the water (to minimize the sting!). If you are recovering from a surgery, we suggest waiting until your incisions are fully healed.
We suggest waiting 1 day after shaving and a few days after getting a body wax before coming in to float.
To be frank, it's going to sting! But don’t worry, you can just open the door, grab a towel, dab the salt from your eyes, then get back in the tank. You can also hang a face cloth from the interior handle of the lid so it’s available to use just in case.
No. The high Epsom salt content of the water means that the water will not draw the salt from your skin and cause wrinkles like a bath or pool does. Epsom salt has been used for centuries as a medicinal treatment for various skin conditions. It is non-toxic and is not harmful if swallowed (although it does not taste good!). Epsom salt is actually quite nourishing for the skin, which is why many people feel silky smooth after their float session.
You aren’t locked in, so you can get out anytime. That said, the 75-minutes usually goes by a lot faster than you’d expect.
Yes. Many first time floaters prefer to leave the lid open for the first few minutes to help them orient to the tank. That being said, it is not recommended to leave the tank open for the entire session as the air temperature can change, altering the overall experience.
INFRARED SAUNA + RED LIGHT THERAPY
Our full-spectrum infrared sauna produces near, mid, and far infrared waves that absorb deep into your body. This allows you to get big benefits in a short period of time. Do cardio without the cardio. Infrared sauna is a tool for detox and recovery.
Red Light Therapy utilizes wavelengths at 810 nanometers, which penetrate deep into the tissues and affect the mitochondria of cells. This process kicks out nitric oxide and allows oxygen to dock into mitochondria, which increases energy to the cells! It helps with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), enhances recovery, and provides an effective skin solution.
Yes, we provide complimentary glasses for each session!
Yes absolutely, in fact your body emits infrared. Our equipment has also emits zero E.M.F. (electromagnetic fields) and is V.O.C. (volatile organic compound) free.
The temperature of our sauna gets up to 75 degrees Celsius or 167 degrees Fahrenheit. With our True Waveâ„¢ full spectrum infrared technology and the nature of the near, mid and far infrared waves that are being absorbed deep into your body compared to traditional infrared saunas we are able to achieve higher internal body temperatures. Approximate 15% of full spectrum output is absorbed by the air to create the 75 C/167 F temperatures while the rest is being directly absorbed by your body. This results in greater benefits liked higher production of heat shock proteins when compared to traditional steam or dry saunas that may run at a higher temperature. Lastly our unique technology lets you get these deeper benefits fast and comfortably!
Our infrared sauna is one of the most powerful in the country! Even for experienced infrared and traditional sauna users find 15 to 20 minutes in our chamber way more than enough. You have the room to yourself for 40 mins, we encourage people to stay in the sauna for approximately 20-30 minutes unbroken. This allows your body to receive the full benefits of infrared therapy. 20-30 consecutive minutes is the time period that science has found where you get the most benefits. A shorter period doesn’t provide the same benefits, and a longer period starts showing diminishing returns.
The chamber is only ever booked for one reservation at a time, but the individual who made the reservation can bring a max. of 2 guests with them for an extra fee of $10 / guest.
In traditional heating technology hot air heats the air first to eventually penetrate the skin, this requires much higher temperatures, which are much less tolerable. Infrared technology skips the middle man and penetrates the body to directly heating you. This allows people to stay in longer and achieve a higher internal temperature; therefore greatly increasing benefits. Less suffering, more benefit.
We ask our guests to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the session. Your private room comes with towels, robe, complimentary electrolyte beverage, along with organic body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
Feel free to bring clothing you're comfortable to sweat in, but since you have your own private room, most people prefer to do their sessions without any clothing.
Yes the entire sauna is thoroughly sanitized with special non-toxic cleaning agents before and after each use, also the intense infrared waves kill 99% of all bacteria.
You burn up to 400 calories from the heat-induced cardiovascular work out, but Infrared therapy is meant to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and fitness plan, not as a replacement.
Avoid alcohol before and after your session. If you feel ill or have a fever, we recommend to wait to use the therapy until you're feeling better. The infrared heat will cause you to sweat a lot so we highly recommend that you replenish with electrolytes or lots of water.
HOT-COLD THERAPY
Hot-Cold Therapy, aka hot-cold contrast or hot-cold cycling, is a potent practice where you oscillate between short periods of extreme heat, and short periods of extreme cold. At Float House Surry, we offer a full-spectrum infrared sauna (ranging from 65 - 75 degrees C) and a cold plunge (ranging from 3 - 10 degrees C). Cycle from heat to cold, and repeat. This biohacker's dream is a tool for recovery and mental clarity.
The temperature of our hot-cold full spectrum infrared sauna gets up to 75 degrees Celsius or 167 degrees Fahrenheit. Approximate 15% of full spectrum output is absorbed by the air to create the 75 C/167 F temperatures while the rest is being directly absorbed by your body. This results in greater benefits liked higher production of heat shock proteins when compared to traditional steam or dry saunas that may run at a higher temperature.
The temperature of our cold plunge gets down to 3 degrees Celsius or 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrrr!
The hot-cold room is only ever booked for one reservation at a time, but the individual who made the reservation can bring a max. of 1 guest with them for an extra fee of $10.
We ask our guests to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the session. In your private room, we provide towels, robe, complimentary electrolyte beverage, along with organic body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
Feel free to bring clothing you're comfortable to sweat in, but since you have your own private room, most people prefer to do their sessions without any clothing.
Our hot-cold sauna is thoroughly sanitized with special non-toxic cleaning agents before and after each use, also the intense infrared waves kill 99% of all bacteria. The cold plunge water is in compliance with Fraser Health standards.
Avoid alcohol before and after your session. If you feel ill or have a fever, we recommend to wait to use the therapy until you're feeling better. The infrared heat will cause you to sweat a lot so we highly recommend that you replenish with electrolytes or lots of water.