Hot tubs are an investment, and while they provide endless relaxation and soothing relief from aches and pains, they also require care to maintain their condition.
Knowing how to take care of your spa is a vital aspect of hot tub ownership that can ensure it maintains its pristine condition for many years.
Are you a new spa owner and don’t know where to start?
This hot tub maintenance guide is loaded with everything you’ll need to know to easily care for your spa from day one!
Keep reading to discover why hot tub maintenance is so important, some basic supplies you’ll need, five essential things to include, and some guidance on when to include the professionals.
Let’s get started!
Benefits of Properly Maintaining Your Hot Tub
Hot tub maintenance goes far beyond simply keeping your water clean and welcoming.
It’s also a key factor in your hot tub’s overall lifespan.
Generally, a good quality hot tub will last upwards of 20 years, however, when poorly maintained, this can quickly drop to 10 or 15!
Furthermore, when routine maintenance is skipped, you run the risk of unnecessary issues occurring, potentially resulting in expensive repairs.
By sticking to a well-planned maintenance routine, you can maximize the years of enjoyment you get out of your spa, reduce repairs, and save money by catching issues early on.
Basic Hot Tub Supplies To Maintain Your Spa
The steps you include in your hot tub maintenance routine are equally as important as the supplies you use.
Having the right supplies on hand can make maintenance a breeze.
pH Test Strips
Testing your water is the only way to get an accurate reading of your chemistry.
pH test strips are the most popular method, but you could also get a water test kit or a digital meter.
Whatever one you choose to use, ensure it provides information on a variety of aspects of your water, such as pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels.
Chemicals
Your chemicals are responsible for keeping your water crystal clear and safe to enjoy.
Hot tub chemicals come in various forms, with some being powders, liquids, or pucks.
The basic chemicals you’ll need to have include:
- pH increaser & decreaser
- Alkalinity increaser
- Sanitizer (such as chlorine or bromine)
- Shock
Based on your local water quality, you may require additional chemicals that others may not, so it’s important to discuss with the experts at your hot tub dealership which ones would be best for you.
Filters and Filter Cleaner
Every Sundance®️ Spas hot tub comes equipped with an advanced filtration system, trapping small particles in the pleats of the filters to keep your water free from debris.
Generally, filters have a lifespan of one year, but it’s important to always have one or two extra filters on hand in case one is damaged and needs to be replaced.
These filters need routine care and can have various consequences if not properly cleaned, such as cloudy, foamy, or dirty water, decreased jet pressure, or reduced energy efficiency.
A vital aspect of your filter care is using filter cleaner. This allows you to more thoroughly clean your filters, removing any buildup of debris so that they can continue to work effectively.
UV Protectant Spray
Your cover is an important part of your hot tub, and it’s constantly exposed to the elements as it protects your water day-to-day.
To maximize the life of your cover, you’ll want to spray it with a UV protective spray, reducing the damage from the sun and maximizing its lifespan.
5 Easy Hot Tub Maintenance Steps
Now that you know what supplies you’ll need, let’s break down the five basic steps you’ll need to maintain your hot tub like a pro!
1. Maintain Your Water Chemistry
The chemistry of your water has a significant influence over the various parts of your hot tub.
It’s in contact with your entire system, from your pipes and pumps to your heating element.
Poorly balanced water can quickly damage your components, and even cause damage to your shell and jets!
We recommend testing your water three times a week, and treating it with the necessary chemicals to bring everything back into range.
You’ll want to ensure your pH is between 7.2 and 7.8, and your alkalinity is between 80 and 120 ppm.
If you’re using chlorine, it should be between 1 and 3 ppm; however, if you’re using bromine as your sanitizer, you’ll want to maintain a balance between 3 and 5 ppm.
Additionally, you should be shocking your hot tub at least once a week to help support your sanitizer and keep your water free from any stubborn bacteria.
2. Circulate Your Water Daily
Still water is the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, making it vital that you circulate your water each day.
Ideally, you should be circulating the water in your hot tub for one hour each day, even if your hot tub hasn’t been used.
This will help support your sanitizer by reducing the growth of bacteria and keeping it equally dispersed throughout your water.
If you live somewhere with tiered energy pricing, schedule your pump to run during off-peak hours, or break it up into four 15-minute rounds throughout the day.
3. Stick to a Cleaning Schedule
While your chemicals will keep your water free from bacteria, various aspects of your hot tub will need to be cleaned on a regular basis.
Not every aspect will need to be cleaned at the same time, so it’s best to break it down into easy, manageable chunks throughout the year.
Weekly
- Rinse the filters
- Wipe the exposed edge of your hot tub
Monthly
- Spray the filters with filter cleaner and let them soak for 15 minutes before rinsing
- Wipe down the top of the hot tub cover
- Clean the underside of the cover with a mixture of 1 part bleach, 9 parts water
- Apply a UV protectant to the top of your cover
- Wipe down the cabinet
Seasonally
- Soak the filters in a diluted filter cleaner for 12-24 hours
- Fully drain the tub
- Clean and inspect the shell
- Refill, test, and balance water
4. Perform Monthly Inspections
While your hot tub can last up to 20 years, the various components of your spa won’t have the same lifespan.
Performing a monthly inspection of your system will help ensure you catch any potential issues early on before they can spread and cause more damage.
When you inspect your hot tub, you should be checking the following:
- Heating element
- Pump
- Pipes
- Insulation
- Cabinet and surrounding foundation
Additionally, you’ll need to inspect your shell and jets for any cracks or mineral buildup each time you drain your spa.
5. Include a Yearly Professional Service
Even with the best of care, a trained, certified professional is a powerful asset to help keep your spa in prime condition.
Not only can they perform a thorough inspection of your system and make any minor repairs, but they can help you discover better ways to maintain your spa throughout the next year.
Professional maintenance can be done at any time and can include a variety of services.
From testing and treating your water, to troubleshooting difficult issues and reviewing any error codes that have appeared on your control panel, professional service can do it all.
Hot Tub Maintenance and Service in Merrimack and Meredith, NH
Whether you’re looking for a team of certified professionals to support you with your regular maintenance, or have discovered an issue that requires an inspection and repair, the team of experts at Sundance Spas of New Hampshire is here to help.
With years of experience, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to lend a hand and get your spa back up and running in no time.
Contact us, or request a service appointment online today!
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