How to Care for Your Hot Tub: A Beginner’s Guide

If you own a hot tub, you know how relaxing and enjoyable it can be to soak in the warm water and jets.

But you also need to take good care of your hot tub to keep it clean, safe, and functioning well. Hot tub maintenance may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite simple and rewarding once you get the hang of it. In this article, we’ll show you the basics of hot tub care, including how to test and balance your water, how to clean your filter and cover, and how to troubleshoot common problems. By following these tips, you’ll be able to maintain your hot tub in less than 10 minutes a week and enjoy it for years to come.

Test and Balance Your Water

One of the most important aspects of hot tub care is testing and balancing your water chemistry. This means keeping the pH, alkalinity, hardness, and sanitizer levels within the recommended ranges. Doing so will prevent algae, bacteria, scale, corrosion, and cloudy water from ruining your hot tub experience.

To test your water, you’ll need a set of test strips or a digital tester. You should test your water at least twice a week, or more often if you use your hot tub frequently or have a lot of bathers. To use a test strip, simply dip it in the water for a few seconds, then compare the color of the pads to the chart on the bottle. To use a digital tester, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Based on the test results, you’ll need to adjust your water chemistry with the appropriate chemicals. Here are the ideal ranges and the chemicals you’ll need to achieve them:

• pH: 7.4 to 7.6. pH measures how acidic or basic your water is. If your pH is too low, your water will be corrosive and damage your equipment. If your pH is too high, your water will be scaling and cause deposits on your surfaces. To raise your pH, use pH increaser. To lower your pH, use pH decreaser.
• Alkalinity: 80 to 120 ppm. Alkalinity measures how well your water can resist changes in pH. If your alkalinity is too low, your pH will fluctuate and cause corrosion and staining. If your alkalinity is too high, your pH will rise and cause scaling and cloudy water. To raise your alkalinity, use alkalinity increaser. To lower your alkalinity, use pH decreaser.
• Hardness: 150 to 250 ppm. Hardness measures the amount of calcium and magnesium in your water. If your hardness is too low, your water will be corrosive and damage your equipment. If your hardness is too high, your water will be scaling and cause deposits on your surfaces. To raise your hardness, use calcium increaser. To lower your hardness, use a scale remover product.
• Sanitizer: 1 to 3 ppm for chlorine, 2 to 4 ppm for bromine. Sanitizer kills the germs and bacteria in your water and keeps it safe and clear. Chlorine and bromine are the most common sanitizers for hot tubs. To add chlorine, use chlorine granules or tablets. To add bromine, use bromine granules or tablets. You can also use a mineral sanitizer or an ozone generator to reduce the amount of chlorine or bromine you need.

When adding chemicals to your water, always follow the label directions and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Never mix chemicals together or add them directly to the water. Instead, dissolve them in a bucket of water and pour them into the hot tub while the jets are running. Wait at least 15 minutes before testing the water again and making further adjustments.

Clean Your Filter and Cover

Another essential part of hot tub care is cleaning your filter and cover. Your filter traps the dirt, debris, and oils that enter your water and keeps it clear and clean. Your cover protects your hot tub from the elements and helps retain the heat and water level. Both need regular cleaning to prevent clogging, odors, and damage.

To clean your filter, you’ll need a filter cleaner product and a garden hose. You should clean your filter every one to two weeks, or more often if you use your hot tub frequently or have a lot of bathers. To clean your filter, follow these steps:

• Turn off the power to your hot tub and remove the filter from the filter compartment.
• Rinse the filter with a garden hose to remove any loose dirt and debris. Use a spray nozzle to get between the pleats of the filter.
• Spray the filter with a filter cleaner product and let it soak for the recommended time. This will help dissolve any oils, grease, and stubborn dirt on the filter.
• Rinse the filter again with a garden hose to remove the cleaner and any remaining dirt.
• Let the filter dry completely before putting it back in the hot tub. You can also have a spare filter to use while the other one is drying.

To clean your cover, you’ll need a mild soap or a vinyl cleaner product and a soft cloth or sponge. You should clean your cover every one to two months, or more often if it gets dirty or stained. To clean your cover, follow these steps:

• Remove the cover from the hot tub and lay it on a flat surface.
• Rinse the cover with a garden hose to remove any loose dirt and debris.
• Apply a mild soap or a vinyl cleaner product to a soft cloth or sponge and wipe the cover gently. Avoid using any abrasive or harsh cleaners that could damage the vinyl.
• Rinse the cover again with a garden hose to remove the soap or cleaner and any remaining dirt.
• Dry the cover with a towel or let it air dry completely before putting it back on the hot tub.

Troubleshoot Common Problems

Even with proper hot tub care, you may encounter some common problems with your water or equipment. Here are some of the most frequent issues and how to fix them:

• Cloudy water: This can be caused by low sanitizer, high pH, high alkalinity, high hardness, dirty filter, or excessive organic matter. To fix it, test and balance your water, shock your water with a non-chlorine shock product, clean or replace your filter, and reduce the number of bathers or the frequency of use.
• Foamy water: This can be caused by high pH, high alkalinity, low calcium, or excessive organic matter. To fix it, test and balance your water, shock your water with a non-chlorine shock product, and use a foam remover product. You can also prevent foam by rinsing off any soap, lotion, or cosmetics before entering the hot tub, and using spa-friendly products.
• Green water: This can be caused by algae, low sanitizer, or high pH. To fix it, test and balance your water, shock your water with a chlorine shock product, and use an algaecide product. You can also prevent algae by keeping your sanitizer level consistent, cleaning your filter regularly, and keeping your cover on when not in use.
• Smelly water: This can be caused by bacteria, low sanitizer, or high pH. To fix it, test and balance your water, shock your water with a chlorine shock product, and drain and refill your hot tub if the smell persists. You can also prevent bacteria by keeping your sanitizer level consistent, cleaning your filter regularly, and showering before and after using the hot tub.
• Noisy pump: This can be caused by air in the pump, low water level, clogged filter, or worn bearings. To fix it, bleed the air from the pump, fill the hot tub to the proper level, clean or replace your filter, or replace the pump if the noise continues. You can also prevent air in the pump by keeping the water level above the skimmer, and prevent clogged filter by cleaning it regularly.
• No heat: This can be caused by a tripped breaker, a faulty thermostat, a clogged filter, or a damaged heater. To fix it, reset the breaker, adjust the thermostat, clean or replace your filter, or replace the heater if the problem persists. You can also prevent heat loss by keeping your cover on when not in use, and using a thermal blanket under the cover.

If you encounter any other problems with your hot tub that you can’t fix yourself, contact a professional service technician for assistance.

Enjoy Your Hot Tub

Now that you know the basics of hot tub care, you can enjoy your hot tub with confidence and peace of mind. By testing and balancing your water, cleaning your filter and cover, and troubleshooting common problems, you’ll keep your hot tub in top shape and extend its lifespan. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for your specific hot tub model, and consult a professional if you have any doubts or questions. Happy soaking!