A hot tub is an invaluable addition to any deck, but its continued upkeep requires ongoing attention and care. Planning maintenance tasks is straightforward when broken into manageable steps.
Regular water testing and use of sanitizer may help protect the shell and equipment of your spa from potential long-term damage.
Test the Water
Hot tub owners must conduct periodic water quality tests in their hot tub to ensure it has the appropriate chemical balance, both for safety and to protect its plumbing. Calcium hardness levels should also be checked; too high levels could damage its surface.
The pH strip is the go-to tool for water testing in hot tubs, featuring easy-to-read color scales that indicate whether the water is acidic or basic; an ideal pH level for hot tubs lies between 7.2 and 7.8. You can visit this site to learn more about pH levels. Additionally, total alkalinity should also be checked at 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm).
Digital water testing tools offer another excellent method for checking hot tub water quality, providing more accurate readings in real-time and helping those with poor vision compare color shades on test strips more quickly to determine whether their chemicals are balanced correctly.
When testing, keeping a piece of white paper handy may make comparison easier; this can help determine if your chemicals in the hot tub are balanced enough.
Clean the Shell
Every time you drain your hot tub, take a few moments to clean the shell and vinyl portion of the spa cover. By doing this regularly, the water-changing process will become faster and simpler while you will benefit from having a cleaner surface.
Clean the exterior shell using a soft cloth or sponge to remove stains and water lines from its shell. Avoid using harsh cleaners which could alter water chemistry or scratch away its surface. Instead, try to use eco-friendly options like vinegar. You can click the link: https://www.nsf.org/blog/consumer/reliable-scientific-tips-cleaning-with-vinegar to learn more.
If vinegar doesn’t do the trick in cleaning away stubborn stains and water lines, try mixing bleach-water. Bleach works by breaking apart molecular chromophore bonds causing color. Remember to rinse before and after because bleach contains toxic fumes which could irritate both noses and eyes and potentially even lead to respiratory failure.
Drain the Water
Your hot tub water must be regularly changed and balanced in order to maintain optimal chemistry levels and to inhibit unwanted bacteria growth. It is important to remember to perform this task. After you’ve found the best price on hot tubs in Gand Rapids, MI, you will want to ensure you keep your tub in proper working order. If the water in your hot tub becomes discolored or smells unpleasant, drain and fully clean the tub in order to restore its condition.
To drain your hot tub, first remove its cover and locate its drainage valve – this should be near the base but could also be hidden by panels or parts of its shell. When found, simply unscrew its cap and connect a garden hose – this should allow water to escape to an outdoor location where you can dispose of it safely.
Before draining your hot tub, it’s also advisable to flush its pipes to clear away any bacteria or biofilm build-up in its plumbing lines that could lead to further issues down the line. A trusted hot tub drain cleaner should do just the trick for this task.
Use of a wet/dry vacuum hose is another quick and efficient method to drain a hot tub quickly, effectively emptying an average-sized spa in minutes. Simply connect it to the drain, drop one end down into it, and allow the other end of the hose to siphon out excess water until all puddles have disappeared.
Change the Filters
Your hot tub’s sanitizers, filters and oxidizers do an incredible job at filtering out contaminants from its water, but over time this won’t always be sufficient to keep it clear.
Over time your water may build up with chemicals, dirt oils and bacteria that your filters simply can’t remove; to maintain clean waters it is therefore crucial that regular draining takes place with shell cleaning as well as filter replacements on a regular basis.
First, visually inspect your filters for dirt and debris that has settled within their pleats, as well as for any rips or tears that have developed from use. Ripped or torn filters compromise their barrier function against open water sources as they leave your system working harder to achieve its objective.
Once your filters have been examined and cleaned, run them under running water to clear away any remaining grime. When dry, add them back into your hot tub for testing purposes and confirm proper functionality.
While you wait for your filters to soak, take this opportunity to polish metal fixtures and other surfaces around the hot tub using soft cloth or sponge and shell cleaner if necessary.