Understanding the basics of hot tub maintenance is one of the major things to consider before getting a hot tub for your home! To make it possible, and to obtain a well-cleaned hot tub, you have to exercise procedures to keep away bacteria, germs, and parasites, and protect not just the tub but the one who uses it.
In this post, we are going to understand the basics of hot tub maintenance and realize how easy things can be as long as you do it right, and stick to a checklist!
Part 1. How Important It Is to Do Hot Tub Maintenance?
There are many reasons why is it important to execute hot tub maintenance. By doing so, people fond of using hot tubs will be safe, and free from any form of bacteria, germs, or parasites. It is also a way to extend or prolong the life of hot tubs in homes and even commercially. Germs and parasites are likely to occur when the water stored in it is not treated or not cleaned properly. Doing proper hot tub maintenance will also reduce the possibility of having future repairs that the tub may need as time goes on.
To do it right, a routine must be created, this will make sure that the water is clean. Of course, no one wants to swim into a foamy and cloudy hot tub water. As we all know, most people enjoy hot tubs since they are relaxing, and are surely an option for inner body healing. Soaking yourself in a hot tub will increase blood flow, and this is why it has been a popular option for relaxation and socialization. Hot tubs have been a vital partner of many people in dealing with all the stresses and even joys of life, and this is why it is essential to learn more about hot tub maintenance. Let us see things that we have to remember before we discuss steps on hot tub maintenance.
- Every hot tub requires a filter to maintain clean water.
- It's advisable to replace hot tub filters annually for consistent and efficient operation.
- When purchasing a hot tub filter, consider compatibility and an adequate surface area for optimal performance.
- Establish a cleaning schedule for your hot tub filter to ensure long-term reliability.
- Regularly test your hot tub water twice to three times a week and balance chemicals for a comfortable bathing experience.
Part 2. What Maintenance Does a Hot Tub Need?
1. Install a Filter And Regularly Change it.
It can get rid of organic contaminants, dirt, and even debris that may cause water clouding. When people use hot tubs, a lot of possible contaminants such as body oils, dirt from outside, lotion, and other chemical products people usually apply to their bodies can be introduced into the hot tub water which can make it unsanitary.
A filter is also necessary to be changed regularly to prevent algae from building up. Also, when a filter is not useful anymore, and is already clogged, contaminants are highly likely to clog the pumps of hot tubs, which can affect the use and effectiveness of hot tubs. To guide you in cleaning your filter, you have to:
- Take the cartridge out of the filter and clean it every two weeks.
- Check the cover of your hot tub and clean it once a month.
- You have to also ensure that the vinyl hot tub cover is conditioned once a month every summer, or three to four times every year.
- Always clean the mildew that you can see inside the vinyl covering in case you have encountered mildew problems before.
2. Maintaining pH and Alkalinity Levels in Your Hot Tub
The water's pH level indicates its acidity or alkalinity, with the ideal range for a hot tub being 7.2 to 7.8. Low pH levels can lead to skin irritation due to acidity, while high levels can irritate alkalinity.
Alkalinity measures the water's resistance to pH changes, with the recommended range for hot tubs being 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm). Low alkalinity makes the pH susceptible to influences like sweat, while high alkalinity challenges the pH balance.
Types of hot tub chemicals
The most common hot tub chemicals are the following:
- pH balancers: To keep your hot tub's pH in check, use a pH increaser if it falls below 7.2 and a pH decreaser if it goes above 7.8.
- Sanitizers: Chlorine and bromine are popular spa sanitizers. Keep chlorine levels between 1.5-3 ppm and bromine between 3-5 ppm in your hot tub to prevent damage and maintain water clarity.
- Spa Shock: Spa shock quickly clears hot tub water by breaking down organic waste and eliminating odors. It comes in two forms: chlorine-based and chlorine-free (oxygen-based). Non-chlorine shock is preferred for its lack of odor and doesn't add more sanitizer, while chlorine-based shock increases sanitization levels. Use shock weekly, but be cautious with chlorine-based shock to avoid potential damage.
3. Make the Hot Tub Maintenance a Routine
To have your hot tubs running as how you want them to be, you have to make sure that you exercise hot tub maintenance regularly. Also, there can be things that the users and the owner can do, to make sure that everything within your hot tubs is in order. Let us see them, below.
- Take a shower first before you soak into your hot tub. Rinsing your whole body and hair may help reduce the lotion, body oils, and other chemicals you apply to your body from infesting your hot tubs. And change the water in the hot tub every three, four, or six months. This can still depend on how frequently you use your hot tubs.
- You have to leave your hot tub in the “On” setting at all times. If you are worried when it comes to some technicalities, you can lower the temperature of the tub when it is not in use. The circulating pumps must be doing their jobs to circulate the water in your hot tubs occasionally. This is to prevent algae from blooming or building up, and it is also needed so the filtering and cleaning of water is continuously taking action. The use of the pumps will make sure that your hot tubs are clean at all times.
You can keep all these pointers in check to maintain the cleanliness and safety of your hot tubs. Once you have referred to these tasks, then everything will go as expected, and you can enjoy a relaxing bath in your hot tubs without having to worry about anything!
Part 3. FAQs
What are Some of the Common Reasons Why Hot Tub Maintenance?
If hot tub maintenance is not executed, there are many possible problems to occur, some of which are:
- There is a high possibility of having cloudy water due to the lack of sanitizer application.
- Foamy water can be formed if there is a high concentration of lotion or body oils from people who use hot tubs.
- Odor is likely to develop when there is a growth in bacteria, shocking the water might help during this time.
- Algae can grow and may result in green water.
When should I perform hot tub maintenance activities?
Hot tub maintenance activities must be done when you finally notice the building of cloudy water, foamy water, the presence of algae or green water, the development of unwanted odor, there is already damage on your hot tub components, or you finally have a dirty filter.
