If you want to enjoy your new hot tub for as many years as possible, regular hot tub maintenance is required. Luckily, hot tubs aren’t nearly as much work as many people think. All you need is the right tools and to add small habits to your normal hot tub routine.
Why Is Hot Tub Maintenance Important?
Keeping your hot tub clean and well-maintained will extend its life while protecting you from germs and bacteria.
Hot tubs that aren’t properly treated or cared for can grow bacteria and make your water cloudy or foamy. Unmaintained hot tubs will need to be replaced much quicker and oftentimes require expensive repairs. Save your future self-money, by implementing these 5 easy hot tub maintenance steps.
5 Easy Steps to Maintain Your Hot Tub
1. Buy and USE the Right Cover
A hot tub cover will prevent debris and bacteria from getting into the water when you’re not using it. It will also help keep the heat in, making your hot tub more energy efficient. Our experts will assist in finding you the right cover for your hot tub and can also help you order a replacement cover if it gets damaged or waterlogged over time.
It is also important to regularly clean your hot tub cover to keep it in good condition. You should rinse it off using a garden hose and carefully wash it with a gentle cleanser at least every 3 months.
2. Clean the Filters
It is important that you are using a filter in your hot tub. Circulating your hot tub water through a filter daily ensures that particles and bacteria are being removed. A filter also helps make sure that your spa is balanced.
Every two weeks you should remove your filter's cartridge and replace it with a fresh, dry one. In between this time, you should rinse the filter at least once, this will remove any dirt, grime, or buildup.
Every three months you should deep clean your filter. Place your filter in a bucket filled with a non-foaming filter cleaner and allow it to soak overnight. After it soaks overnight, rinse and dry your filter before replacing it in your hot tub.
Need filter cleaner? Come get our Leisure Time Filter Cleaner sold in our showroom!
3. Change the Water Regularly
Changing the water in your hot tub is a crucial part of hot tub maintenance. Old water can cause bacteria and algae to grow in your hot tub, leading to skin irritation. Old water can also contain debris that can cause water flow issues and put stress on your hot tub’s pump.
We recommend changing your hot tub’s water every 3-4 months. During this process, you must completely drain and clean it before refilling it. A simple wipe down and rinse of your hot tub during this process will do amazing work prolonging your spa’s life.
This process is why it is important to make sure to pick a location for your spa that allows for easy and safe drainage and refilling. Learn more about hot tub installation requirements here.
4. Balance the pH Levels
Testing the pH and alkaline levels is essential in maintaining the balance of your hot tub’s water. If your hot tub is out of balance, it can cause damage to your plumbing, filter, jets, and if left long enough even the surfaces. The pH levels of your hot tub should be between 7.2 and 7.8.
5. Shock the Water
If your hot tubs pH and alkaline levels are in balance, you can shock the water. Shocking the water of your hot tub helps break down compounds like body oils, sweat, and cosmetics that can accumulate in the water over time. Showering before relaxing in your hot tub can help prevent these things from getting into your water.
Doing these 5 steps will help prolong the life of your hot tub, allowing you to spend more time enjoying it than worrying about fixing it or paying for repairs. If you ever suspect something is wrong with your hot tub, call a service repair technician to fix it right away.