Maintenance of your spa / hot tub

Spas provide the perfect environment to relax at the end of a hard day; somewhere to unwind and spend quality time with a partner or friend and family; a place where every day stress can be left behind. Our hot tub inspector will balance chemicals, sanitize, oxidize water, and check for mechanical problems so that your hot tub is always ready to use. Use the links below to navigate to the section you wish to read up on and see what we are doing during our inspections to your hot tub.

Weekly:
- test water for ph, hcl, alk and hardness
- oxidize hot tub with non-chlorine shock
- add spa sparkle to help obtain beautifully sparkling water
- add no foam to control foaming
- if in area of high calcium hardness, add no scale to prevent scale deposit

Monthly:
- clean filter cartridge
- add water if needed

Periodically:
- due to the build up of Total Dissolved Solids ( TDS ), the hot tub will need complete draining and refilling. We recommend draining and refilling your hot tub every 6 months.

Hot tub care maintenance routine:

1. Water balance
2. Sanitizing
3. Oxidizing
4. Hot tub specialty products
5. Hot tub and chemical safety tips

1. Water balance

By balancing the water, you are creating the right conditions for bathing comfort, chemical efficiency, and equipment protection. A number of factors are involved in balancing the water, but the main areas are: ph, hcl, total alkalinity and calcium hardness.

Ph level:

Regular ph checks are an essential part of your hot tub maintenance routine. The pH scale has a range of 0 – 14 with 0 being very acidic, 7 being neutral and 14 being very alkali. For tubs, the ideal range is between 7.2 – 7.6; this being slightly alkaline to protect the hot tub and prevent equipment corrosion. This also provides the most comfortable conditions for bathing and good sanitizing efficiency.

If the level is below 7.2, we use pH Up to raise the level.
If the level is above 7.6, we use pH Down to reduce the level.

Total alkalinity:

This will again vary depending upon your water source; so this must be checked each time fresh water is added. It acts as a buffer to prevent pH change. If the level is too low, the pH will fluctuate widely. If too high, pH adjustment will be difficult to effect.

The ideal Total Alkalinity for hot tubs is between 80 and 120 ppm. When it is below this level, not only will the pH fluctuate, but the water could be corrosive, cause damage to equipment, and be uncomfortable to bathers. Use pH up to raise levels. When it is above this level, not only will the pH be difficult to adjust, but also the water could be scale forming and clarity impaired. Use pH down to reduce levels.

Calcium hardness

This will vary depending on where you live and where your water supply comes from. It is very important that the correct level is established. As a guide, soft water tends to be low in calcium hardness and hard water more obviously is high. The level should be checked each time you top-up or refill the hot tub with fresh water. The ideal calcium hardness level for hot tubs is between 250 – 450 ppm.

When it is below this level, the water could be corrosive which could lead to damage of plant equipment, such as the heater. If this is the case, apply Hardness Plus to achieve the correct level. When it is above this level, the water has a tendency to appear cloudy. Calcium can precipitate out and deposit itself on the tub shell finish, heater element, cartridge element and within pipe work. It this is the case, apply No Scale to achieve the correct level.

-= Top =-

2. Sanitizing

The sanitizing of your hot tub water is necessary to kill bacteria and help in the prevention of algae growth. The level should be checked regularly; using test strips and can be in the form of chlorine or bromine.

Chlorine

This is available in granule form which is rapid dissolving; so therefore a good sanitizing. Chlorine is also available in tablets that can be use in a floater to maintain the chlorine level over a few days. It has little effect on the pH level. The ideal chlorine level is between 3 – 5 ppm.

Bromine

This is an effective hot water sanitizer and ideally suited to hot tubs. It is effective over a wide pH range and has little odor. Comes in tablet form also; making it easy to apply and avoids having to dose everyday. The ideal Bromine level is between 3 – 5 ppm.

3. Oxidizing

It is necessary to oxidize your hot tub weekly using Non-chlorine shock. It destroys odors and wastes such as perspiration, cosmetics and body oils. Restores sparkle. Increases bather comfort.

-= Top =-

4. Hot tub specialty products

Other products also help keep your hot tub clean, clear and enhance your bathing pleasure.

Control of foam

The rapid circulation and aeration of hot tub water can cause unsightly foam to appear on the waters surface especially when oils and lotions are within the water. No Foam used regularly will prevent and control excess foaming. If excessive foaming is a continuous problem, drain the tub and refill with fresh water.

Ensuring water clarity

Discoloration or cloudiness of the water is often caused by minute particles suspended in the hot tub water which are too small for the filtration system to remove. Soaps, cosmetics, body oils and greases can all cause dull, cloudy water. Encourage hot tub users to shower before getting into the hot tub to minimize these problems. Spa Sparkle used once a week, will assist in the removal of suspended matter via the filtration system, thus restoring and maintaining the water clarity.

Cleaning your hot tub

At water line level, grease and debris can accumulate creating an unattractive “tide mark” and providing an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and algae. These can be easily removed and prevented by using Waterline Cleaning Paste daily or when the hot tub is in regular use. Waterline Cleaning Paste should also be used to clean all tub surfaces every time the hot tub is emptied prior to refilling.

Clean the filter cartridge

When the filter cartridge is dirty, the circulation in the hot tub may be reduced and water cleanliness will be affected. To avoid interference in the optimum working of the filter, the cartridge should be cleaned at monthly intervals, or more regularly after heavy usage. Cartridge cleaner makes cleaning the filter cartridge easy and readily restores the filtration system to full efficiency.

-= Top =-

5. Hot tub and chemical safety tips

Never allow the water temperature to exceed 104F

Do not drink alcoholic beverages before or during the use of the hot tub.

Do not allow children to use the hot tub without supervision.

If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, any cardiovascular condition or on medication; consult your doctor before using the tub.

Keep all chemical containers sealed and out of reach of children.

Read and follow all label directions.

Never mix chemicals.

Accurately measure chemicals.

Always add chemicals into water; never the reverse.

Store chemicals in a cool, dry place.

Never store chemicals in direct sunlight.

Always handle chemicals with great care.

-= Top =-