Having a hot tub is like having your very own oasis in your backyard. After a long, difficult day, you can relax, destress, and soak your cares away. It’s the perfect place to gather and unwind with your family.
However, just like every part of your home, a hot tub, no matter the size, requires regular upkeep so you can continue to enjoy its benefits.
Keeping your hot tub clean and in top shape extends its life and protects your family from potential health risks. Not to mention save your pocket from costly repairs!
Whether you already own one of these hydrotherapeutic tubs or are still planning on getting one, there are some important things you should know to get the most out of your investment.
Below, we’ll walk you through some essential hot tub maintenance steps to ensure a safe and enjoyable dip every time.
Importance of Hot Tub Maintenance
Why is hot tub maintenance so important? Here are the top reasons why you should always include hot tub cleaning in your next housekeeping plans:
Health and Safety
This shouldn’t sound surprising, but a poorly maintained hot tub can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs.
Human-associated pathogens, such as E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Legionella pneumoniae, survive well in dirty spa water and can cause skin infections and other diseases.
Regular testing, balancing, and sanitizing are crucial to eliminate these harmful bacteria from invading your soaking spot and ruining the experience.
Water treatment maintenance is especially crucial for hot tubs used by multiple people. Unsanitary, germ-filled spas are a well-known culprit for infection outbreaks.
Cost Savings
If you’re worrying about getting a jacuzzi for money reasons, there are plenty of ways to manage running costs without compromising your relaxation time, starting with proper and timely upkeep.
A well-maintained hot tub operates significantly more efficiently than when neglected. From cleaning the filters, and draining the water monthly, to having sufficient insulation, you can unwind without worrying about energy bills.
When everything is clean, the system won’t have to work as hard to circulate water, which is a fantastic energy-saver in the long run.
Neglecting maintenance can lead to expensive Jacuzzi tub repairs. Routine cleanup, on the other hand, lets you catch smaller hitches before they turn into bigger problems that require expert services.
Extend Hot Tub Life
A hot tub can last between 5 to 20 years, depending on the quality of its materials and the care you provide. Most cheap brands won’t last five with poor maintenance.
Keeping up with the maintenance schedule ensures your spa is safe and runs reliably every time. Making sure your pumps, heaters, and filters are in good working shape is the most effective way to extend a hot tub’s life.
You can think of your Jacuzzi as a car. Just as you wouldn’t overlook your vehicle’s oiling needs, you shouldn’t skip hot tub cleanup day if you want your investment to last years.
Of course, you can always rely on professionals to handle your spa maintenance.
Still, a few simple weekly care routines, such as checking the chemical levels, adding bromine or chlorine, and washing the filters, should help conserve your funds.
Maximize Enjoyment
Ultimately, most homeowners buy a Jacuzzi for their pleasure and enjoyment. Consistent care makes the spa always ready whenever you need to destress and melt life’s worries in a bubbly pool of hot water.
Like most home appliances, the better you care for your hot tub the better it takes care of you.
The cleaner the surfaces of your hot tub are, the less likely you are to suffer injuries from slipping or falling.
The risk of serious injuries, such as cuts, bruises, broken bones, head injuries, and drowning, also increases for homeowners with children.
How to Clean Your Hot Tub
Most people start by cleaning the hot tub filter. But before that, you want to turn the spa system off and drain the tub of water by opening the drain valve and diverting the water with a garden hose.
1. Clean the Filters
You can typically see the filter built into the side wall, often locked in a canister, lid, or cradle. Open the hatch to access the spa filters.
If unsure, the quickest way to locate your spa system’s filter is to check the user manual. Once you remove the filter, spray it with a garden hose to shake larger debris off.
Get your bucket and fill it with water and your cleaning solution. Don’t forget to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the water-solution ratio.
Mix the concoction well before submerging the hot tub filter.
Let the filter sit in the solution for 8 to 24 hours. You need this much time so the enzyme can effectively break down the oily biofilm and other contaminants that turn your spa into a bacterial hotbed.
If you’re using hot water, you only need to soak the filter for about an hour. Once done, rinse the filter with water and inspect the pleats for debris your cleaning solution couldn’t dissolve.
2. Hot Tub Filter Installation
Rinse the filter thoroughly to prevent foaming, and allow it to air dry for a few hours before reinstalling.
Placing the filter back is easy. In most hot tubs, reinstalling the filter only needs a quick clockwise twist to secure it into the housing.
Some cradles or lids will come locked with screws, but it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to open and close.
3. Scrub the Shell
Next up is washing the shell. Do this after draining the hot tub entirely of water. Be sure to wear rubber gloves if you’re using chemicals to clean the spa shell.
Instead of a cleaning solution, you may also use one part white vinegar and four parts hot water for the shell cleanup.
Squirt a generous amount of cleaning solution to the surface. Then, use a non-scratch scrubber or a sponge to rub off deep-seated stains and dirt. Pay attention not to damage the shell while scrubbing.
Clean the areas around the hot tub jets carefully, as these are the common spots where mold and mildew can fester.
After scrubbing, let the dirty water drain, and wipe the shell dry thoroughly with a clean cloth or towel. Keep the water jets open to prevent messing with the water pressure.
4. Wash the Spa Cover
Investing in a spa cover is a great way to keep pests and debris out of your hot water sanctuary. A cover also helps maintain water temperature and boosts the effectiveness of sanitizers like chlorine and bromine.
Like every part of the appliance, you want the cover to remain pristine.
However, the hot tub cover spends most of its time in wet, hot, and dark environments—a perfect condition for pathogen and mold growth.
To keep your spa cover clean, wipe the material with bleach and water mixture every two to three months. Most experts recommend using one portion of bleach and nine portions of water for the best results.
Check the spa cover for signs of wear and tear and repair any damages before reusing.
5. Add Hot Tub Chemicals
Maintaining water quality is the most crucial part of hot tub maintenance. It makes soaking in your spa safe and free of the health hazards of unbalanced water.
Not to mention it’s more enjoyable to take dips in crystal clear water you know won’t give you the itch.
Adding sanitizing chemicals, such as chlorine and bromine, is the most common way to optimize spa water chemistry.
Chlorine is a familiar household disinfectant to eliminate harmful viruses, bacteria, and algae. They’re cheap and readily available, so they’re usually the most widely used for hot tub and pool maintenance.
However, one drawback to using chlorine is it can lend a strong odor to the water. It also easily degrades under heat so you may need to add chlorine every few days.
Bromine is another sanitizer typically used as an alternative to chlorine. Many prefer using bromine for hot tubs as the chemical can tolerate warm temperatures better than chlorine solutions.
It’s quite expensive, though, and it’s not uncommon for some people to experience irritation when switching from chlorine to bromine.
Hot Tub Maintenance Checklist
A hot tub makes a fun and wonderful addition to your home. But for first-time spa owners, keeping everything clean and tidy can easily feel overwhelming.
To get you started, here’s a breakdown of the most essential cleaning steps to keep your hot tub system maintained and running efficiently all year round.
Regular Cleaning
We can’t overstate how vital regular cleanup is to the upkeep of your hot tub, which is why we always recommend having a consistent deep cleaning schedule (and not just during frequent use).
Dipping in hot water feels soothingly calming, so it’s easy to forget how bacteria and germs thrive in them. A smart way to remind yourself to clean your spa regularly is to set a calendar reminder.
Water Circulation
Water circulation means letting the water move around your hot tub. This prevents the liquid from stagnating and becoming a breeding ground for infectious viruses and bacteria.
Ideally, the water should be running 24/7 and circulating continuously.
Monitor the water movement whenever possible. If you notice signs of malfunctions, such as gurgling or grinding sounds, there may be some issue in your spa’s pump so call professionals for a checkup.
Some hot tubs only circulate water when the jets are on. For these spa systems, long periods of disuse may lead to stagnation making scheduled and frequent use important.
On the other hand, higher-quality brands typically come with an additional pump that moves water around without relying on the jets. This handy feature keeps the water fresh and clean for a long time.
Routine Water Testing
Hot tub water needs to be tested twice a week. Bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and debris quickly build up with regular use, upsetting the water’s balance.
To test the water, you need test strips and readers. They let you gauge pH levels, chlorine, and alkalinity, all crucial elements to keep the appliance running smoothly.
Test strips are incredibly straightforward to use. Just dip the strip in the spa water for a few seconds and wait for the strip to change colors. Most testing kits come with a guide to interpret the results.
For spa water, you want to aim for the following:
- The pH level should be between 7.2 and 7.8
- Alkalinity should be maintained at 80 to 220 ppm
- Keep chlorine levels within 1 to 3 ppm, 3 to 5 ppm for bromine
- Calcium and magnesium (total hardness) should be kept at 100 to 225 ppm
To adjust the water balance accordingly, you may add a pH decreaser, pH decreaser, water softener, or calcium hardness increaser.
Once you get the gist of it, testing and balancing your hot tub water should take no more than a few minutes.
Shocking is another excellent water treatment method to use alongside standard sanitization. We highly recommend shocking your hot tub water at least once every week to eliminate pathogens and impurities.
Correct Draining
Besides learning to test and balance water, hot tub owners must also know how to drain the appliance properly.
You might be adding sanitizing chemicals weekly to control harmful contaminants. But without draining your shell, the deposits can add up. This can make managing water balance chemistry harder in the long run.
Of course, the more obvious reason to empty your spa is to replace the water and remove accumulated dirt and residue. It makes maintenance and inspections easier as well.
But first, you want to make sure the pipes and plumbing are free of obstructions. It’s easily done by adding line flush cleaner to the spa water. In most cases, you just let the jet circulate the water for a few minutes.
This step should flush the grime and calcified sludge from the hot tub’s plumbing.
When draining the tub, turn the power off and unplug the appliance. You don’t want to damage your pump by accidentally turning it on while the spa is empty of water.
From there, draining is as straightforward as connecting the drain valve to a garden hose. You may also use a submersible pump, setting it on the deepest part of the tub to suck the water out.
You want to drain and refill your hot tub water once every three months.
Filter Maintenance
The filters do most of the heavy work in keeping your soaking experience clean and safe. No matter which kind of hot tub you have, it’ll always come with a filter that needs frequent maintenance.
Hot tub filters come in many sizes and forms. The most commonly used are cartridge filters, usually made of paper, fabric, or plastic. Some high-end filters are made from ceramic, sand, and diatomaceous earth.
You want to clean the spa filter with consistent intervals, particularly during hot tub season.
Remove and inspect the cartridge to give it a good rinse and inspect for debris and damage every 7 to 14 days.
Hose the filter once a month, and deep clean the component by spraying it with a cleaner solution and water mixture.Soaking with filter cleaner chemicals must be done every month.
Cover Maintenance
Maintaining a hot tub cover is as easy as washing it with water and bleach. Routine cleaning should be performed at least once every three months.
There are several types of covers you can get for your hot tub.
Soft spa covers are lightweight and are usually made from durable vinyl. They’re a popular option for homeowners on a budget. Not to mention the easiest to maintain.
Most Jacuzzi owners use hard covers to protect the appliance. They’re made from vinyl and foam, and often come with a hinge you can attach to the hot tub shell for easy use. Hard spa covers work better at keeping heat inside.
Besides vinyl, you can also find covers made from regular and smart, puncture-proof aluminum. Ensure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines when opting for these hot tub covers.
Winter Hot Tub Maintenance
Depending on your location, you may want to consider preparing your hot tub for the winter—or if you won’t use the appliance for an extended period.
Winterizing is important for two crucial reasons.
First, to prevent anything from growing inside the spa system while not in use and, second, to minimize the risk of a cracked foundation from frozen water.
To winter-proof your hot tub, you want to remove as much water as possible from the system. You can do this by disconnecting the mechanicals and draining the shell, pipes, lines, heater, pump, and blower.
A dry/wet vac also helps remove hard-to-reach moisture from the spa lines.
Once everything is parched dry, reassemble the hot tub and pour antifreeze into the filter cavity and the top of the pump. Wrap the panel, put the cover on, and close up for the incoming freezing season.
How Often Should a Hot Tub Be Cleaned?
Keeping up with the three Cs (cleaning, circulation, and chemistry) is essential for hot tub care. But how often do you really need to clean your spa?
As you may already have noticed, different parts of the appliance demand special attention. Still, it’s typically up to you to observe whether or not your prized spa needs a well-deserved scrubbing.
That said, following a simple schedule is often the most realistic approach to hot tub maintenance. Here’s a quick cleanup schedule guide you should remember:
- Test, balance, and shock hot tub water weekly.
- Rinse the filter once a week, and soak it in chemicals after each month of use.
- Drain and refill spa water at least once every three months, washing the shell interior while you’re at it.
- Invest in a hot tub cover to keep the water free from debris when not in use.
- Wipe down your spa cover at least once every three months to prevent mold and mildew from thriving.
A weekly cleaning session on the spa exterior using a sponge, water, and white vinegar should help keep things pristine. Keeping an eye for debris, such as leaves, trash, and critters, helps, especially for outdoor hot tubs.
Looking for Hot Tub Maintenance & Repair?
Capital Iron not only supplies high-quality hot tub appliances to suit your home. We also offer expert maintenance and repair services to keep your prized spa in pristine condition and ready whenever you need a relaxing dip.
Capital Irons hot tub maintenance service surrounding areas of Victoria, British Columbia. With or without a warranty, our expert team of technicians can come directly to your doorstep to get your hot tub up and running.
Feel free to reach out and schedule a hot tub repair appointment today!
FAQs
Can I use vinegar to clean my hot tub?
Yes, you may use white vinegar when cleaning your hot tub. It’s an effective way to eliminate gunk and oil without spending too much on cleaning chemicals. Most importantly, it doesn’t cause foaming when used on filters.
Vinegar is quite easy to use as well. For filters, just mix white vinegar (not wine vinegar) with water in a bucket and let the filter soak for one day.
Can I use salt instead of chlorine to sanitize my spa?
Salt can only be used for hot tubs installed with saltwater systems. These appliances mainly use a special type of salt to keep the water clean and free of foul odors.
Saltwater hot tubs practically turn salt into chlorine, though. In short, you’re still using chlorine to sanitize the water for safe use.
What can I do to keep my hot tub clean?
There are plenty of ways you can do to keep your spa system clean. For starters, rinsing off before getting into the tub washes away sweat, dirt, and oil that may otherwise get mixed with the spa’s water.
Tying your hair before dipping is another sanitary etiquette you can observe. On average, humans lose 50 to 100 hairs daily, which can add to the assortment of gunk that invades the hot tub filter.