A hot tub can be a luxurious and relaxing addition to your home. However, keeping a hot tub running smoothly and safely takes year-round maintenance. Although it may seem like a lot of work, breaking the maintenance down into weekly, monthly, and seasonal tasks will make it much easier. Here’s our complete guide to caring for a hot tub.
Weekly Hot Tub Maintenance Checklist
Regularly weekly upkeep ensures that your hot tub is always clean, safe, inviting, and ready to use. Most of these tasks are quick and easy, and are essential for keeping the water balanced and free of contaminants.
1. Test and Balance the Water Chemistry
Correct water chemistry is crucial for your hot tub’s health as well as your own. Once a week, use test strips or a test kit to check for the following:
- pH balance: Keep it between 7.2 and 7.5
- Alkalinity: Should be between 80-120 ppm
- Sanitizer: Maintain chlorine levels between 4-3 ppm or bromine between 3-5 ppm, depending on which you use
2. Sanitize the Water
Add the necessary amount of sanitizer to the water based on your chemical readings. Routine sanitization prevents the growth of bacteria and keeps the water safe to use.
3. Clean the Filter
Hot tub filters capture a lot of dirt and debris, so it’s important to clean them once a week to keep water flowing smoothly. Cleaning the filter is easy—just remove it, spray it clean with a garden hose, and replace it.
4. Wipe the Waterline
Skin oils, lotions, and dirt can all accumulate on the water line of the hot tub shell. Take a sponge or soft cloth and wipe around the inside of your hot tub to keep it clean.
5. Check the Water Levels
The water level should always be high enough to cover the jets. Low water levels can damage the pump, so it’s crucial to top off the tub every week, or as necessary.
Monthly Hot Tub Maintenance Checklist
In addition to weekly tasks, there are several monthly maintenance tasks you need to perform to ensure your hot tub runs efficiently and its components remain in good shape.
1. Deep Clean the Filter
Once a month, remove the filter and soak it in a hot tub-specific cleaning solution. This removes any small particles left behind after your weekly rinses. Let the filter dry completely before replacing it.
2. Shock the Water
“Shocking” your hot tub means adding a higher dose of oxidizer or chlorine to break down any organic materials that have built up over time. This helps refresh the water, improves its clarity, and reduces odors. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for shock treatment.
3. Inspect the Cover
Your hot tub cover plays an important role in keeping heat in and debris out. Check for signs of wear, accidental tears, or waterlogging. Clean the cover with a mild soap and water solution, and apply a UV protectant to prevent damage from sun exposure.
4. Check Jets for Blockages
Inspect the jets to ensure that the water is flowing freely. If any jets are blocked, remove them and soak them in a solution of vinegar and water to dissolve any mineral buildup or dirt that might be clogging them.
Seasonal Hot Tub Maintenance Checklist
Every few months, it’s important to give your hot tub a deep clean and check that all its parts are functioning properly. Here’s how to care for your hot tub once every spring, summer, fall, and winter.
1. Drain and Refill the Hot Tub
At the beginning of a new season, or once every three months, you should completely drain and refill your hot tub. This helps remove the dissolved solids that can’t be filtered out. You’ll need to:
- Turn off the power to avoid damage to the pump.
- Drain the water by attaching a hose to the drain valve.
- Clean the shell with a non-abrasive cleaner to remove any grime or scum.
After refilling the tub, balance the water chemistry as you normally would.
2. Inspect and Tighten Connections
Inspect the hot tub’s pumps, heater, and valves to ensure every part is in good working order. Check for any loose connections, leaks, or signs of wear that may need professional attention.
3. Replace the Filter If Needed
While weekly and monthly cleanings will extend the life of your filter, it should still be replaced every 12-18 months, depending on the frequency of use. If your filter looks worn or damaged, it’s time to swap it out for a new one.
4. Flush the Plumbing System
Hot tub plumbing can accumulate biofilm, a slimy substance made up of bacteria and organic matter. Use a product designed for flushing hot tub systems to clean out the internal piping and keep your system running smoothly.
Hot Tubs and Maintenance Supplies in Arizona & Nevada
Whether you need cleaning products, filters, covers, or your very first hot tub, Sunset Spas has got you covered. Our teams in Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas are here to help you find the perfect hot tub solutions for your home. Visit a showroom or contact us today to speak with a representative who can answer all of your hot tub questions.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (10/31/2024). Photo by Zoe Stefanatou on Unsplash
