While many homeowners have closed their swimming pools for the season, you can still enjoy a soak in your hot tub. Just be sure to adhere to a regular maintenance schedule that includes cleaning the cover and checking the water.
Weekly routines include balancing the PH and testing the total alkalinity (important for achieving a stable PH) and sanitizer levels. Monthly routines include draining and refilling the water, cleaning the shell, and checking the hardware. Contact Hot Tub Maintenance Mesa for professional help.
1. Clean the Cover
One of the best ways to ensure you keep up with your hot tub maintenance is to create a monthly schedule. The easiest way to do this is by setting up a calendar with empty daily boxes and attaching a pen so that you can check off each item as you complete it.
A good daily maintenance task is to make sure your hot tub’s cover is securely on, keeping out flying debris and fluctuating temperatures. It’s also a good time to inspect the exterior for damage and do a quick cleaning of the scum line with a sponge or chemical cleaner.
Every three months, it’s a good idea to clean your hot tub cover using a vinyl cleaner recommended by the manufacturer or a mild vinegar and water solution. This helps to prevent the growth of mildew, which can ruin the surface of your cover and make it difficult to lift. Also, remember to inspect the cover for rips or tears each month and have these repaired immediately. This helps to extend the life of your cover and reduce the risk of water absorption, which can lead to mold and bacteria buildup.
2. Test the Water
Most hot tub owners know that keeping the water sanitary and balanced is essential to enjoying their hot tub. However, some don’t realize that it also extends the lifespan of their pump, heater, and jets.
It’s important to test the water 2-4 times per week using either pH test strips or a testing kit. You can usually get a good read on your water chemistry by running the pump for a few minutes before taking your sample. This ensures that your reading isn’t affected by a still surface.
If you’re using test strips, hold the strip sideways when dipping it in the water. This prevents the test results from bleeding into each other.
In addition to testing the water, it’s also a good idea to regularly add a natural enzyme treatment to your spa, such as Spa Purge or Filter Perfect by Natural Chemistry, to prevent algae and biofilm from forming in your hot tub. These products also help to break down organic contaminants that could cause damage. It’s also important to drain and clean your hot tub before refilling it. This allows you to fully clean all surfaces of your tub, including the pipes and filters.
3. Clean the Jets
A hot tub is a wonderful place to relax, but it’s also important to keep your jets clean. Body soil and bath products lurk in the jets, creating a perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow. You can help prevent this by removing and cleaning the jets regularly.
Start by draining the hot tub and hosing it off to remove loose debris. Then, mix up a solution of equal parts water and vinegar and soak the jet units overnight. Remove the jet units and wipe them down with a cloth or sponge soaked in the vinegar solution to remove any minerals that have collected.
Once the jets are cleaned, rinse and dry them. Finally, apply ThermoGloss to the shell and jets to protect and beautify. Then, re-fill your hot tub and activate the jets to ensure everything is working correctly. For a final touch, rinse the hot tub and jets again with the Multi-Purpose Cleaner to thoroughly clean the surface and wipe away any residue that remains.
4. Clean the Pump
Your hot tub’s pump should be cleaned at least once per year. Start by draining the hot tub, adding line flush cleaner to your water (follow the directions on the product), and turning on the jets at the highest setting while the cleaner circulates. After the jets stop, turn off the power and breaker, open the drain valve, and drain the hot tub by connecting a hose to the drain or using a sump pump. Once all the water has drained, use a shop vac to remove most of the remaining debris.
If there is any remaining water in the plumbing, spray the shell with a non-sudsing hot tub cleaner and soak the filter in a chemical solution to loosen fine debris that clogs filters. Repeat the process each season, or at least twice per year.
Routine maintenance helps keep your new wooden hot tub looking good, working well, and smelling great. A little time and effort goes a long way in protecting your investment, and preventing expensive repairs down the road.
5. Clean the Heater
Daily maintenance prevents the build-up of organic compounds and other contaminants, keeping water quality high. This includes checking the water pH level and adjusting it as needed, cleaning filters, and using a chemical cleaner to keep your hot tub clean. Water circulation is a must, helping to sanitize and remove contaminants.
Draining and deep cleaning once every three months helps to prevent gunk, algae, and mineral build-up. It also allows you to re-balance water chemistry and ensure that alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer levels are in the recommended ranges. Be sure to take this opportunity to inspect the shell for damage, and make any necessary repairs.
Cleaning the wood cabinet on a regular basis with a wood-safe cleaner and resealing it with a water-resistant sealant keeps wood surfaces looking good, and helps to protect against moisture which can lead to mold, mildew, cracking, or rot. Making this a yearly ritual will help you avoid the need for major repairs or replacements, and keeps your spa safe and hygienic. This is the best investment you can make for your wooden hot tub.
6. Clean the Filters
As a part of the water filtration system, hot tub filters act as guardians, capturing debris and microorganisms that would otherwise mar your zen-like relaxation. To keep them working effectively, it’s important to follow a well-defined maintenance schedule.
Begin by consulting your hot tub’s operating manual to understand how often and in what process your filter should be cleaned. Once you know what the recommendations are, you’ll be able to create an effective maintenance schedule.
Remove your filter from the hot tub and rinse it with cool, gentle running water. This will help to wash away any surface dirt and also clear out any minor buildup before it becomes a serious problem. When rinsing, be sure to pay attention to the pleats and use a filter cleaning comb to clean between them.
Once your filter is clean, it can be set aside to dry before returning it to the hot tub. This will help to ensure that the filter is completely clean and ready to do its job. This is one of the most essential and simple steps that can be easily included in your daily routine.
7. Clean the Filtration System
Your filters create a vital barrier between debris and open water, so it’s important to keep them clean. The frequency of cleanings varies depending on the type of water system you use, and some, like a saltwater system, may only need to be cleaned once a year.
Keeping your filters clean helps prevent clogs and keeps the water fresh. It also reduces the amount of sanitizer needed, so it’s important to monitor sanitizer levels. To do this, simply use a digital hot tub test kit or a test strip to check the alkalinity level and follow the dosage recommendations on your owner’s manual.
Rinsing your filters is an easy task that should be completed on a weekly basis. Start by shutting off the power to your hot tub, then remove your filter from its housing and rinse it with clean water in a bucket or hose. If your filters are particularly dirty, you can also soak them overnight in a solution of filter cleaner and clean water. Investing in a filter cleaner will make this process even easier and save you time.
8. Test the Water
You should test your water at least twice each week, with a daily check being preferable. This ensures your hot tub is always ready to use. Frequent tests also alert you to sudden changes in your water level, which may indicate a leak.
You can monitor your water’s pH levels with drop test strips or a digital tester. Keeping your water balanced between 7.2 and 7.8 prevents skin irritation and protects key components of your hot tub such as the heater and jets. It’s also a good idea to monitor your water’s total alkalinity as well.
Testing your water often will help you maintain a high level of sanitation, which helps your hot tub feel soft and reduces the potential for algae growth or bacterial infections. It’s recommended to keep a record of your results so you can track patterns and quickly correct problems as they occur. Having your water tested regularly can help you avoid costly and time-consuming repairs. You should clean your cover annually as well to prevent it from deforming or leaking water.