Hot Tub CareRoutine hot tub care is really not too overwhelming at all! I like to tell people that they should really give serious thought to owning a swimming pool before they get one because the maintenance can be so overwhelming that it makes having the item more work than it is fun. The same does not hold true for a hot tub. You will probably not find yourself regretting your decision to purchase a hot tub when you engage in regular maintenance activities. It just isn’t that bad. Of course, you'll want to be an informed consumer, so do make sure you're up on what's all involved with hot tub installation before proceeding down this road. Installation is the biggest financial cost next to actually purchasing the hot tub, so knowing what to expect will help your preparation. So, what does hot tub care look like?
Hot tub care - 3 times per yearI empty my hot tub once every 4 months. I used to use the drain on the side of the hot tub to release the water, but I was worried about damaging the little pull tab. So instead, I use a sub-pump (a submersible pump – easily purchased at a local hardware store) to remove all of the water.Once the water is removed, I clean the hot tub just like I would a regular shower/tub in the home. I try to use an environmentally friendly cleaner, since I usually deposit the cleaning water somewhere in the yard. I do use a scrub brush to get the scum off of the sides, particular the deposits that are located around the top where the water line usually rests. Use caution when scrubbing your tub. The material is durable, but you don’t want to cause any damage to it. Then I rinse the entire tub down and suck out the cleaning water. The cleaning instructions that I received from the manufacturer detailed how to take apart the jets and clean those out thoroughly. I haven’t done that yet, and I figure as long as I keep it clean on a regular basis, I shouldn't have to worry too much about deep cleaning. Once the hot tub is clean and rinsed, it’s ready to be filled with water. I let the house hang in the tub while I’m finishing with the filter. In the center of my filter, I use a Zodiac Nature 2 Spa Cartridge. This device helps keep the water clean and clear, allows me to use less chemicals, and is good for 4 months. You can find this item at your local pool and spa retailer. When I’m filling the hot tub I put in a new Spa Cartridge. I also add a capful of chlorinating granules. This is the general start up amount for hot tub care, and is added the first time you fill your tub, and with every subsequent cleaning. That’s it for your 3 times per year hot tub care! Once the hot tub is filled with water, turn it on and let it sit for at least 3 days before entering. The water needs to warm up, and the chemicals need ample time to circulate.
Hot tub care - weekly maintenanceThe only other routine care that is required is adding chemicals on a weekly basis. I add Shock and Swim every time I go in the hot tub, and at least 1-3 times per week even when not in use. Chlorine granules are added on a weekly basis. 1-2 teaspoons of each chemical is all that is needed. Be sure to test your water regularly utilizing some type of test strips. This will tell you how much chlorine you have in your hot tub, and the alkalinity and Ph balance of the water. There are products that you can purchase that will increase the Ph balance of your water, and decrease the alkalinity.Chemicals should be added in succession. First you would add the chlorine, and continue to test the water until the chlorine reaches the appropriate level. Then you would increase the Ph if needed. Increasing the Ph will most likely decrease the alkalinity, so remember to test the water between each chemical addition. I hope that this description of hot tub care has made things easier for you. I will add some videos and pictures this spring to provide even more instruction. Your hot tub will need a hot tub cover to help keep the water warm and debris out of the tub. The cover can be cumbersome to slide on and off, particularly when it is wet or covered with snow. For this reason, I would HIGHLY recommend a hot tub cover lift! This easy to install device makes it manageable for one person to slide the cover on and off. Happy hot tubbing!
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