How to look after your hot tub

With the increase in popularity for hot tubs, there needs to be an awareness around hot tub care. If you own a hot tub, it is vital that you regularly maintain and clean the water and your equipment to keep it free from bacteria. So what are the essential things you need to know to help look after your hot tub and continue to get the maximum use and enjoyment out of it?

Water Chemistry

The most important thing to know about looking after your hot tub, is how to look after the water inside it. Water testing is an essential component of hot tub maintenance. The easiest way to do this is use water test strips. Test strips have indicators for sanitizer, pH, and total alkaline levels. The amount of chemicals are measured in parts per million, or PPM. To get accurate results, you must follow the instructions on the test strip container correctly. It is recommended to test your water at least 3 times a week and adjust the levels with small amounts of each chemical required according to your test results. The aim is to keep your water balanced and clear of any bacteria.

Sanitization

To prevent growth of bacteria in your hot tub it is important to regularly treat your water with a sanitizer. This is due to how quickly bacteria can grow and multiply in warm environments, even if your hot tub itself is clean. Sanitizer is used to kill any bacteria in the water, ensuring a safe hot tub experience. There are two main types of sanitizer; chlorine and bromine.

Chlorine is the most well known and well used sanitizer available. This is mainly due to it being readily available and a cost effective solution for hot tub maintenance. When chlorine dissolves in water it creates an acid which can break down and kill any bacteria. You can purchase chlorine in the form of granules or tablets.

A chlorine level of between 3-5 PPM must be maintained in your hot tub at all times. The addition of chlorine will depend on how often you use your hot tub. If you are a new user of a hot tub, we recommend checking your chlorine levels daily and only add small amounts until you get a feel for the amount your usage requires.

Bromine is the alternative to Chlorine and has the same effectiveness at killing bacteria. Although it is more expensive, it doesn’t dissipate as quickly in elevated temperatures as it’s chlorine counterpart and can be reactivated using a water shock (See below.) This means you are likely to use less Bromine than chlorine if that is the sanitizer of choice. It is also softer and better for those with sensitive skin.

Just like with Chlorine, you need to ensure the Bromine level in your hot tub stays between 3-5 PPM and how much you use will depend on your hot tub use.

If you are switching from one sanitizer to another, always remember to clean and drain your hot tub and replace your dispensers. NEVER MIX CHLORINE AND BROMINE TOGETHER.

pH Levels

The pH scale measures acid and alkali levels from 0-14. 1 is extremely acidic and 14 is extremely alkaline. A pH level of 7 is called the natural pH, meaning anything below it is acidic and anything above it is considered alkaline.

If you use chlorine as a sanitizer then your pH level should be 7.2-7.6, if you use Bromine then your ideal pH level should be between 7.0-7.4. Incorrect pH levels can cause eye and skin irritation, an increased use (and therefore expense) of sanitizer and if the pH level is too low; corrosion of hot tub parts. If the pH level becomes too high then a build up of scale can occur.

If you find the pH level in your water is outside the recommended ranges then you can adjust it by adding pH plus or pH minus depending on the results of the test.

By balancing and maintaining your overall alkalinity (Total Alkalinity) you can keep you and your hot tub safe from damage.

Always remember to adjust your pH level before adding sanitizer!

Shock Treatment

Shock treatment is when you add a dose of an oxidizer to your hot tub to improve oxidization.

Non chlorine shock is an oxidizing agent that when added to your hot tub maintenance routine can help remove buildup of oils and compounds in the water such as deodorant, sweat, and dead skin cells. This ensures your sanitizer can work effectively and improve water clarity.

Although it is recommended to use once a week, please remember to never use in place of sanitizer!

Filtration

Filters and filter cartridges are an important part of hot tub care. They trap any dirt and debris and help keep your water clean. To keep up performance and stop your hot tub from becoming contaminated with dirty water, you need to check your filtration system regularly and clean your cartridges and filters fortnightly. This will prolong the life of your filter, although we recommend installing new filters every year depending on usage.

There are lots of products on the market to clean your filters, from instant filter cleaners, to sprays and tablets. However, as some cleaners require the filter to be soaked overnight, we always recommend having a spare set of filters to use, as running your hot tub without filters is NOT recommended!

Adding or Changing the water

Even when you have a hot tub maintenance schedule set up, it is important not to forget to replace the water every couple of months maximum. Over time, the water will have a buildup of soluble materials and chemicals and this will reduce the efficiency of your sanitizers.

If you are planning to drain and refill your hot tub, it is worth using a pipe cleaner, so any debris is drained with the water and will help keep your pipework in a clear, working condition.

Remember to give your fresh water a high dose of sanitizer before use, granules are the best solution for this, and let the water settle to the correct levels before using.

General cleaning

Everyone will want to keep their hot tub in pristine condition, and general cleaning is advised. But please do not use generic household products on your hot tub due to the chemicals found in many. You can purchase specific hot tub cleaning items from any reputable website.

You should always open your hot tub cover at least once a week to let the hot tub ‘breathe’ and allow the cover to dry. This will help keep your cover free from residue build up and you can use this time for any treatments that your hot tub requires.

Remember

When handling the chemicals needed for the appropriate maintenance of your hot tub, please remember the following:

• Always read the instructions before use.
• Always add chemicals to water and not water to chemicals.
• Never mix chemicals in any form.
• Always use in a well ventilated area and wear a mask if appropriate.
• In the event of skin or eye contact, wash thoroughly with clean water and follow the instructions on the packaging.
• In the event of a spillage, make sure the area is thoroughly cleaned with water.
• Always wash your hands after handling chemicals.

If you need any help or advice, do not hesitate to contact us here at Hot tubs and living.