We offer a few simple ideas to assist you to care for your spa whether you are a new spa owner or are new to spa maintenance. These easy hot tub maintenance and cleaning procedures will keep your water sparkling clean, hygienic, and ready to use. Continue reading to learn the five simple steps to maintaining appropriate water chemistry and keeping your spa equipment in good working order:
Here are 3 Hot Tub Maintenance Rules every hot tub owner should follow. Once you learn how to manage these concepts, you can keep your hot tub clean and clear without a ton of troubleshooting.
Table of Contents
Hot Tub Maintenance Basics
Before you plunge into the warm water of your new spa, take a time to become acquainted with some key terminology. For example, it may be referred to as a portable spa or just a spa. Some people refer to every hot tub as a “Jacuzzi.” However, this is an awful example of a brand name being ubiquitous.
It is critical to understand the manufacturer and type of your individual hot tub. Having this information on hand makes it easier to obtain replacement parts and services when they are required.
It’s also a good idea to have your spa’s “vital statistics” on hand. Water capacity, age, and special water issues (such as hard water) are all factors to consider while maintaining your hot tub.
Is a hot tub HIGH maintenance?
No, not at all. It only takes a rudimentary grasp of water chemistry and a simple routine (which we’ll go over), and it’s not costly. All you actually need are some chemicals and testing materials, which will cost you approximately 15 quid each month.
The 3 Basic Rules of Hot Tub Maintenance (The 3 Cs)
Because it requires the same basic maintenance as a swimming pool, you may think of your spa as a miniature swimming pool.
- Keeping proper water circulation.
- Maintain a straightforward cleaning regimen.
- Balancing water chemistry.
That’s it. That’s all there is to it.
1. Keeping Proper Water Circulation
Circulating the water helps keep it clean by running it through the cartridge filters in your hot tub.
Your spa may feature an automated circulation plan that guarantees it runs once or twice day, depending on the model. These cycles circulate the water for 15 to 20 minutes (or more) to guarantee that all of the water in your tub is passing through the filters.
If your hot tub does not have an automated cycle, switch it on for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day to ensure the water is replenished.
Don’t be hesitant to use those filters. The more frequently you use your hot tub, the cleaner it will be.
2. Maintain a straightforward cleaning regimen
Cleaning your hot tub is an important element of hot tub upkeep.
Both indoor and outdoor hot tubs are prone to scum formation, but if your spa is outside, keep an eye out for debris such as leaves, wind-blown rubbish, and rare stray creature. Keep the waterline and chairs free to maintain a clean hot tub and to avoid any water concerns.
Weekly cleaning of your spa’s shell and jets with a sponge and white vinegar will keep things neat. Scrub away the scum line at the water’s edge using it as well.
Make it a habit to clean the inside of your hot tub on a regular basis, and don’t forget to wipe off the shell. While you’re at it, spray the hot tub cover with a 10% bleach-to-water solution to keep mildew at away.
A weekly clean is crucial for hot tub maintenance. However, expect to empty your spa fully for a thorough cleaning every 3-4 months, and more frequently if you use it frequently, have a lot of visitors in it, or both. After all, you wouldn’t fill the family bathtub once a year and expect everyone to reuse the same water over and over again, would you?
Set a timer while refilling your hot tub after cleaning it. It will remind you to check on your spa and avoid unpleasant, costly overflowing.
3. Balance Your Hot Tub Water Chemistry
Balancing your hot tub’s water is similar to balancing pool water, but a bit trickier due to the drastic size difference. But before you add anything to your spa, you need a baseline reading on your water chemistry. Once your hot tub’s full, test your water to determine the pH and alkalinity levels.
You are most likely aware of the secret to hot tub upkeep and cleaner water. In a nutshell, you must test the water. Make modest modifications to pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and sanitiser levels according to these results on a regular basis. This entails testing the spa water 2-4 times a week and modifying levels as necessary to keep the water balanced within the appropriate ranges:
- Chlorine: 1.0-3.0 ppm
- Bromine: 2.0-4.0 ppm
- pH: 7.4-7.6
- Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm
- Calcium Hardness: 150-250 ppm
Keeping a log is a good idea to track your test results and make notes on adjustments. In many cases, you’ll start to notice patterns in water chemistry, especially with pH and sanitiser levels.
In most cases, tap water is adequate for spa water. However, you may encounter water quality difficulties in some regions (you know where I’m talking about). Water balance in your hot tub can be impacted by soft or hard water, excessive alkalinity, pH imbalance, and high amounts of chloramines, metals, or minerals. Use a test kit to collect water samples immediately from the source or after a drain and refill. This will assist you in determining the appropriateness of your tap water for usage in the spa. A spa pre-filter eliminates metals, smells, and fine silt from your spa’s fill water.
How to Clean Your Spa Filters
They’re present while your hot tub is in use, and your hot tub filters require regular cleaning to function effectively. They may be cleaned in three ways: rinse, spray, and soak.
Rinse your hot tub filters as often as possible with warm water from your garden hose, especially if you’ve been using your spa more than usual.
Spray your filters with a hot tub filter cleaner once a week or so to obtain a thorough clean. Don’t forget to rinse them afterwards.
Soak your filters in chemical cleaning every time you empty and refill your hot tub to extend their life and remove any stubborn particles. After that, carefully rinse them.
When your filters become so dirty that even a chemical soak can’t properly clean them, it’s time to replace them.
What Hot Tub Chemicals Do You Need?
Keep a big supply of critical chemicals on hand so you can modify the pH of your water as needed: pH increaser and pH decreaser.
Alkalinity booster to keep your pH from fluctuating too much.
To destroy germs and other pollutants, use a sanitiser (chlorine or bromine).
Shock (non-chlorine or di-chlor) is your sanitiser to add oxygen while eliminating chloramines and germs.
To ensure that all of your chemical levels are within the acceptable range, use test strips or a liquid test kit.
Optional defoamer for rapid relief from frothy hot tub water.
Adjusting The Hot Tub pH and Alkalinity
A pH of 7.4 to 7.6 is ideal. Values lower than this range are too acidic. The water might corrode your gear and hurt your skin and eyes. Values that are outside of the range will be too simple. The water will diminish the efficiency of your sanitiser and cause cloudiness.
Alkalinity should be between 100 and 150 parts per million (ppm). Scaling and cloudiness might occur if alkalinity becomes too high. Here’s how to reduce the alkalinity of your hot tub.
Can you use baking soda in a hot tub?
Yes! Baking soda is used to increase the alkalinity level in your hot tub. Just add 1 tablespoon (17 grams) of baking soda to your hot tub for every 100 gallons (378 litres) of water it holds.
How to Add Sanitiser to Your Hot Tub
Add the sanitiser of your choice according to the package guidelines, then test again to ensure that your pH and alkalinity are within ideal levels.
By shutting off the air valves, you may speed up the mix rate of your chemicals (and therefore help your hot tub heat up faster).
Can I use salt instead of chlorine in my hot tub?
Yes, but only if you use a saltwater system to cleanse the water in your hot tub. Also, keep in mind that the mechanism converts salt water into chlorine. So, technically, you’re still introducing chlorine into the water, but in a different form.
Shocking Your Hot Tub
If you’ve been using your spa for a long time or if you’ve been using it frequently, it’s a good idea to shock it to ensure it’s properly disinfected.
To keep your water safe and clean, make shocking a regular part of your routine hot tub maintenance.
Testing Your Spa Water
Test your water once a week using test strips or a liquid test kit, and adjust the chemistry as needed.
Following the Three Cs gives a solid foundation for hot tub care that will get you started on the mythical route to soaking pleasure. Add an effective and regular hot tub maintenance routine to your spa care programme to further reinforce it. You’ll improve your hot tub talents by tackling more difficult jobs while reducing the possibility of unpleasant shocks.
Clean the Spa Filter
The spa filter is often positioned beneath the skimmer basket and is accessible from the side of the spa, but it can alternatively be a little tank assembly that is opened up beneath the spa. To clean or replace the filter as part of your spa and hot tub cleaning routine, you must first identify it. If it’s beneath the spa, a closable valve should prevent water from gushing out when the filter is opened. The filter cartridge is frequently accessible by releasing a large nut or rotating the filter body counterclockwise. Some water will flow out as you open it. However, if done correctly, this will be negligible.
If your spa filter includes a pressure gauge, the cartridge should be cleaned when the pressure increases 8-10 PSI over the recently cleaned pressure reading, or when the flow is considerably decreased. If your filter does not have a gauge, simply clean it on a weekly or biweekly basis according to the manufacturer’s guidelines for your hot tub. The frequency of cleaning is determined by the size of the filter, the hot tub’s water capacity, and the frequency of use.
You should replace your spa filter every 12 months, depending on use. Because this is what wears out a cartridge, the general rule of thumb is to replace it every 10-15 cleanings. With each cleaning, the fibres loosen and it loses a little bit of its dirt-holding power. Keep track of the age and/or cleaning cycles of your spa filter, and pay attention to the filter material, since it will wear out sooner or later.
What’s the key to good hot tub maintenance?
Consistency and ease of use. When you divide the process down into simple phases that won’t overwhelm you, you’ll find it lot less stressful—and much easier to keep track of things.
This strategy, known as chunking, is utilised to boost productivity by educators, project planners, and businesses all around the world. It’s also useful for planning a personal project, such as a year’s worth of hot tub upkeep, without feeling as if your brain is going to burst.
Each hot tub is unique, but all benefit from basic and regular care. Setting up a routine to keep your hot tub running smoothly is simpler than you would think.
Like your car, your computer, or, well, you, your hot tub needs regular maintenance to be at its best. Your spa will have its own special needs with regard to water chemistry, accessories, and repairs. But these tasks, broken out by daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly intervals, are universal.
Daily Checks
Most likely, a few minutes will be all that is required to care for your home spa’s daily upkeep. Make sure your checklist covers the following items:
- Ascertain that the spa cover is clean and secure. A properly fitted cover allows heat, water, and chemicals to pass through while keeping trash, dogs, and children out.
- Check the water temperature and make any required adjustments. Keep an eye out for any sudden temperature variations, since they might indicate a significant system problem.
- Examine the cover and spa for any damage. This is especially crucial for outdoor spas that are susceptible to animals and the environment.
Thrice-Weekly Checks
Adding these things to your to-do list three times each week will help keep your hot tub in good shape. Remember to plan them near or at the same time as your every day responsibilities to save yourself time and stress.
- Check the alkalinity of the water.
- Check and adjust the pH. Along with alkalinity, hot tub ph is a critical component of hot tub chemistry.
- Examine your sanitiser levels. Sanitiser maintains your spa water clean and free of microorganisms that may otherwise make your guests sick.
- Above the waterline, clean. Remove any debris that might pollute the water and put the chemical balance off.
Weekly Hot Tub Checks
These tasks need your TLC only once a week. Look for opportunities to combine tasks, and don’t forget to keep careful track of your hot tub’s water chemistry for comparison to your daily and monthly values if you’re tracking potential water quality issues.
Check the water in your hot tub. Check your alkalinity, pH, and sanitiser levels once a week, and if necessary, adjust them. Test again after the time period indicated by the manufacturer. This step counts as one of your three weekly checks. Congratulations on your efficiency!
Water should be sanitised and shocked. When you shock your hot tub, you are recharging your sanitiser and keeping your hot tub in good condition.
Water should be used to rinse your hot tub filter. A clean filter is worth its weight in gold because it prevents murky water, nasty odours, germs, and the dreaded algae bloom.
Wipe your spa cover down. Cleaning the cover both inside and out helps against mould, mildew, and the foul odours they produce.
Monthly Hot Tub Checks
Once a month, it’s time to get down to business. The “gritty” that’s gathered in your jets and filters, in particular. Water testing can also be taken to the next level.
Rinse your filter with a chemical solution. This deeper clean removes more filth and ick than water alone. Simply substitute a chemical rinse for one weekly water rinse.
Examine the jets in your hot tub. Is it blocked or frozen? Oh no. It’s time to inspect your hot tub jets.
Have an expert inspect the water in your spa. Professionals have access to more modern testing equipment and can assist you in identifying and resolving water quality concerns before they become catastrophic.
Quarterly Hot Tub Checks
You should drain the hot tub and refill it with new water every three to four months. Empty it, clean it well, and double-check that everything is in working condition. Schedule a drain and refill day that coincides with your other duties to provide you time to clean the cover and attend to your hardware when the spa is not in use.
Clean the cabinet in your hot tub. A quarterly clean will help your hot tub look fantastic, and you can also repair any aesthetic or structural damage while you’re at it.
Soak your filter in chemicals. This is a more powerful version of the chemical rinse that provides your filter with the deep cleaning it needs to maintain your hot tub free of impurities.
Drain, clean, and repair your hot tub. The best time to make repairs is when you drain and clean your hot tub. And a quarterly drain and clean frees your whole hot tub from chemical buildup and other gunk and goop that can cause performance issues. Soaking your filter while the tub is empty kills two gunky birds with one cleansing stone!
Yearly Hot Tub Checks
Many of the chores we propose might, in principle, be completed on a yearly basis with no influence on your hot tubbing experience. However, for best performance and the most enjoyable hot tubbing, we recommend scheduling them as monthly or quarterly assignments instead.
Remember that when your hot tub is empty and drained, you may perform weekly or quarterly duties like cleaning, maintenance, and system flushing.
Having said that, we recommend doing these duties at least once a year, if not more frequently:
- To eliminate germs and biofilm, flush the lines. When draining and refilling your hot tub, it’s a good idea to use line flush.
- Examine the hardware and wiring of your hot tub. Keep an eye out for wear and tear, bugs, and chemical imbalances.
- Have a professional tune-up performed. They will inspect all of your hardware and wiring for any problems, both inside and out.
- Examine your cover. Look for physical damage, moisture absorption, and mildew or mould infestations.
- Replace or revise your hot tub maintenance schedule. You’ll learn what works best for you and your hot tub over time. The start of a new year is an excellent opportunity to make changes to your maintenance routine for the following year.
How Much It Costs to Maintain a Hot Tub
Hot tub specifications
The cost of maintaining your hot tub is determined by the type of hot tub you choose, as size, materials, and functionality vary. Many factors should be considered throughout the hot tub choosing process, including required functionality and features, as well as excellent engineering.
While high-end spas are more expensive at first, they may be less expensive in terms of continuous maintenance and care in the long run. High-quality insulation and a specialised circulation pump, for example, will go the extra mile for you, saving you money via enhanced energy efficiency.
The best way to gain a true understanding of your hot tub’s maintenance expenses and requirements is to speak directly with your hot tub vendor. Ask them to assist you in comparing and contrasting the short- and long-term trade-offs of various models, particularly if you are torn between a few possibilities and/or pricing points. You might be shocked to find how much a different option can reduce total maintenance expenses during the life of the hot tub!
Hot Tub Installation
Your hot tub store can provide you with a more exact installation cost quotation because it is dependent on several elements such as hot tub location and size, as well as the intricacy of the installation. Some vendors will waive extra fees for a “standard installation.” There will be additional fees if you have a difficult installation location or need a crane to move your hot tub onto your deck. Request an estimate from your dealer.
Average Monthly Electricity Cost
How much power does a hot tub consume? Would you be shocked to find that the finest built, most well-insulated hot tubs may cost between £20 and £30 per month to operate? Of course, the finer factors will influence the ultimate monthly charge! Here are a few preliminary suggestions:
Larger hot tubs cost more to heat than smaller hot tubs
The more you use your hot tub, the more you’ll need to use your heater
Hot tubs are more expensive to heat in the winter than in the summer
An Ozonator device can boost electricity bills (talk to your hot tub retailer to see if this product makes sense for your hot tub)
Another thing to consider is the efficiency of your hot tub. A contemporary energy-efficient hot tub with enhanced insulation and strong heaters can save expenditures.
Keep in mind that the most precise estimate will come from the dealer who has all of your hot tub specifics on hand.
Average Water Care Cost
The simplest level of hot tub water maintenance (using bottled chemicals) costs roughly 15 pounds per month to maintain your hot tub, however, this varies depending on the water system that you use. Upgrading your water care system may be more expensive at first, but it will save you money and maintenance work in the long run. Furthermore, top-tier saltwater systems (which produce water cleansers from salt and eliminate the need for chemical additions) are great for low maintenance and an overall better spa experience.
Hot Tub Cover
While this seems like a small footnote, a good hot tub cover can be a make-or-break addition to your hot tub for keeping the heat in and making it more energy-efficient!
Other Needed Products
You will need to properly maintain your hot tub in order to keep it in good condition all year. You’ll need to balance your water on a regular basis, clean and replace filters, clean/drain/refill your tub, and make sure it’s covered during the hard winter months. This routine maintenance will necessitate the use of certain basic materials and supplies but check with your dealer to ensure you have all you need.
Finally, How Long Does a Hot Tub Last?
While the answer may vary depending on the brand of hot tub you purchase (the more luxurious ones are meant to last the longest), the best approach to extend the life of your hot tub is good care and maintenance!