You should consider yourself lucky if you have a hot tub. Because after a long, tiring day, you need a good hot bath. They must be treated as a luxury item to ensure they work efficiently. Cleaning and servicing ensure that the water is clean and safe to use and that the tub is helpful for many years. Regular cleaning and upkeep ensure that your hot tub provides the comfort and relaxation it was meant to deliver.
This blog will cover some of the most general but important recommendations for maintaining your Outdoor Hot Tub. From choosing the right water type to answering how to clean a hot tub surfaces, we’ll give you tips and tricks to make it seem effortless.
1. Regular Cleaning and Filtration
One of the most effective methods to hold your hot tub is to clean the water frequently. The frequency of cleaning depends on the hot tub’s usage and the variety of users. Professionals recommend cleaning it at least once weekly to keep the water clear.
Drain and Refill Schedule
To keep the water fresh, you must drain and refill all the hut tubs occasionally, the ideal time being every 3 to 4 months. This will help you wash the pipes, jets, and shells. It effectively avoids mineral buildups and guarantees brand-new, dust-free water.
Filtration System Maintenance
The filtration system cleans the water by removing dirt, debris, and contaminants. So, to make it work effectively, you need to clean it properly. By properly, we mean cleaning the filters monthly and replacing them every 12-18 months. A dirty or rusty filter will limit water circulation and sanitation in your hot tub.
Using the Right Chemicals
Water chemistry is crucial in one’s hot tub. You need to keep it in check to ensure the water is healthy and clear. To defend the water from micro-organisms and germs, use chlorine or bromine as they disinfect water. Add a pH balancer to the water range of 7.4-7.6 pH degrees to the suitable variety. Besides, shock treatment should be employed to help disintegrate organic materials and eliminate pollutants. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for chemical use to prevent overuse or damage to your hot tub components.
How to Clean the Surface
Your skin, hair, lotion, and oils can accumulate on the surface of your hot tub with time. You must wash the shell with a non-abrasive solution for the hot tub. Household cleaners are not ideal for cleaning your tub, as they can change the surface or contaminate the water. To clean the surface gently, use a soft cloth or sponge such that you can even wipe off the remains on the surface.
2. Water Care and Balancing
Water balance is essential in ensuring that any hot tub is safe and comfortable for any user. Let’s groove into a few critical steps for clear water for hot tubs and keeping the water chemistry in check.
Importance of Water Balance
You need to maintain PH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels. If any of these need to be corrected, you might experience issues like cloudy water, scale build-up on surfaces, or internal corrosion of the hot tub. Here’s why each is important:
- The solution’s pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6 to prevent skin reactions and lessen the wear and tear of associated equipment.
- Alkalinity controls the pH level in the solution by preventing sudden changes in the level. Getting it to around that range (80 – 120 ppm) will also assist you in maintaining the stability of your pH.
- Calcium hardness causes corrosion if the water is too soft; if it’s hard, it leads to scaling.
How to Test Water Regularly
Testing the water used in your hot tub is critical to ensure clear water for the hot tubs. When testing the tub water, ensure you do it with a testing kit. It will help you give accurate results of pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness. If you use the hot tub frequently, you should test the water twice to thrice weekly. The test kits are quite simple to use and can obtain results quickly so that you can adjust the chemical levels accordingly.
Common Water Problems and Solutions
If your water is getting less clean than it should be, don’t freak out – most water problems can be handled effortlessly. Here are a few issues and their solutions:
- Cloudy water: It is often caused by excessive TDS or a severe pH level. To restore it, one should use a clarifier and periodically work on the water’s acidity ranges.
- Algae growth: Inadequate sanitizer concentration is a common cause of algae growth in hot tubs. To prevent algae, add more chlorine or bromine and swamp the water.
- Foamy water: Body oils, lotions, or even soap can cause foam. To decrease foam, use foam remover and correct the water’s chemical balance.
Maintaining Proper Chlorine/Bromine Levels
Did you already know that chlorine or bromine is essential for a tub of water to be secure? Outdoor Hot Tub owners ought to keep a sanitizer stage of 3-5 ppm chlorine and 4-6 ppm bromine. They also have to ensure that the sanitizer degrees are examined frequently and chemical substances are introduced to provide secure water.
3. Hot Tub Cover Maintenance
Your tub cover is an important thing that helps defend the water from getting dirty and infected by using particles and the environment. Here’s a proper guide to maintain it:
Cleaning and Protecting the Cover
Most people wonder how to clean a hot tub. Always wash your hot tub cover to prevent mold and dust from forming. Use gentle soap and a piece of soft cotton to clean the cover. Do not use strong chemicals on it, as they might rip the fabric swiftly. Once you have washed it, apply a cover protectant to prevent UV rays and other elements from penetrating it.
Ensuring a Tight Seal
A good cover is essential for ensuring that one’s hot tub water is not contaminated while preserving heat. The cover should be cleaned frequently to adjust the seal. Any crack on the outer part of the cover or any other damage should be rectified instantly to ensure efficiency and good water.
Protecting from the Elements
Cover your hot tub in snow or rainy weather to prevent early damage from these kind of harsh weather. Further, it has the properties of a longer life span that will reduce the tendency for heat to escape and hence raise the level of energy consumption.
4. Plumbing and Equipment Checks
Your hot tub plumbing and equipment should be checked often so that everything works. Follow the steps to ensure their efficiency:
Regular Inspection of Jets and Pumps
Examine the performance of the jet and pumps required to facilitate these operations. Over time, the jets can get dirty and build up minerals and sediments, affecting water pressure and flow through them. Inspect and clean the jets as necessary, and always assess the pumps for areas of corrosion or leakage.
Checking for Leaks and Cracks
Assume responsibility for checking hoses, plumbing, and equipment for signs of leaking or cracking. Even one crack can cause huge problems, such as water loss or damage, so it is better to act if you notice it. Machine maintenance can prevent expensive damage later on, and inspections can protect against such complications.
Maintenance of Heaters and Temperature Controls
Heaters and temperature controls help you maintain the water temperature required to operate your water system. Check the heater regularly to ensure it works appropriately. If the water is not heating as needed, consider whether the thermostat and the heating element are in good condition.
5. Maintenance Tips for Different Seasons
Most people know that various seasons come with hurdles regarding hot tub maintenance. Here’s how to handle the seasonal changes:
Preparing Your Hot Tub for Winter
To prevent freeze damage, empty your hot tub and allow it to dry before the first frost arrives. Sanitize the shell and fiddle with the plumbing lines, ensuring no water is in the shell. Cover the hot tub adequately to keep snow and ice from getting in.
Summer Hot Tub Maintenance
After the spring, your hot tub’s water should retain less heat. Pay attention to the sanitizer and add shock treatments to adjust the temperature and clear the water.
Maintain Your Hot Tub When Not in Use for Extended Periods
If you don’t use your hot tub for an extended period, follow these steps: scrub it, maintain the chemical level in the water, and seal it thoroughly. Use the filtration system occasionally to prevent the water from dirtying and stagnating.
Conclusion
One should clean and maintain their hot tub on a schedule so that it lasts long and is safe and comfortable. With these guidelines, you will have fresh, clean, and clear water, which results in efficient performance and a great time whenever you use your Outdoor Hot Tub. Preventive maintenance is always better than curative maintenance, so service your hot tub and use it to its optimal capacity!