July 4th kicks off endless summer nights spent in your spa. So it’s wise to proactively prepare for it. Proper hot tub maintenance is the first step to your summer R&R, and the following hot tub maintenance tips will leave you with a healthy spa and some happy summer soaks.
Prepare Your Tub for Summer
Inspect
Do Hot Tub Inspection Throughout the Year
Hot tub maintenance should begin long before the summer months, as leaks, cracks, or damage to mechanics can arise throughout the year. Catch these problems quickly with frequent, thorough inspections. Ensure your panel, pumps, ozonators, filters, and jets are fully functional. Do research to resolve issues.
(You can, of course, contact our Best Hot Tubs technicians to regularly check your spa; they can also perform any of the following tasks should you wish.)
Drain and Clean
For Pristine Water, Occasionally Drain and Clean
Whether it sat idle through Spring or has been regularly used since Winter, your spa will occasionally need to be drained and cleaned. While it is drained, clean the pumps, valves, jets, filter casings, and pipes. After the hot tub is dry, use an all-purpose cleaner and a polish on the surface.
Balance the Chemicals
After refilling your tub, make sure the water is chemically balanced. You can analyze the water levels using test strips, and if the levels are unsafe, add the appropriate chemicals to balance them out. For more on this click here.
Keep Your Hot Tub From Overheating
Cool It Down
Bullfrog Spas’ STIL Control Panel
Summer temperatures can be unforgiving, so preventing overheating is crucial. If you live in warmer climates, for a relaxing daytime dip lower the temperature to 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
Adjust Filtration
Refrain from running filtration cycles for long periods of time, as your spa is at risk of overheating and shutting down. Put your hot tub in filtration mode, set the filtration to run during the coolest time of day or night for 1 hour, and open the cover regularly to allow heat to escape. Once temperatures begin to drop again, adjust the filtration settings back to normal.
Keep It Covered
Maintain Your Spa Cover
One of the basics of spa maintenance is keeping it covered. Prevent damage and protect against UV rays by cleaning and conditioning its cover. Remove the cover and spray the underside with a hose. Use a sponge and spa cover cleaner to wash away dirt, oil, or stains. Wipe down the top with a wet rag and cleaner. Rinse it off with water, then towel dry. Apply a vinyl conditioner to keep your cover strong and soft. You will also increase the longevity of your cover by removing it a few times per week, and allowing it to breathe.
Keep Up on The Chemistry
One secret to spa care is taking care of the water. Test the water with a test kit a few times per week, and make adjustments accordingly to alkaline, pH, sanitizer levels, and calcium hardness. It may be helpful to track your changes and keep a log of adjustments. For tips on this, click here. http://weeklyhottubservice.com/maintaining-proper-ph-and-alkalinity-in-hot-tub-water
Clean The Filter
Locate your filter, and look to see if it has a pressure gauge attached. If so, the cartridge will need to be cleaned when the pressure rises above 8-10 PSI, or when the flow is reduced. If there is no gauge, clean the filter on a regular basis—about every 4-8 weeks. Your filter will most likely need to be changed every 10-15 cleanings, and replaced every 1-2 years, so keep track of your filter’s cleaning cycles and age.
Clean The Spa
Clean the waterline and surfaces every 2-4 months. Do not use old or expired household products or soap. Floating debris can be removed with a net, and you can use a small battery-powered or garden hose-powered vacuum for removal of debris from the bottom.
Stick To a Schedule
Following a maintenance schedule consistently is key to a smoothly-running spa. Establish good habits for before and after each use, every month, every few months, and every year. Create a hot tub maintenance checklist for yourself. That way, you can enjoy a safe, functional hot tub no matter the season.
Learn more about optimal hot tub maintenance by downloading our free hot tub maintenance guide.
Proper Hot Tub Care:
As you kick off summer over the July 4th holiday, it’s worth ensuring the water is pristine and the spa is in top shape — like in this Bullfrog A7 model, purchased from Best Hot Tubs.
Again, you can, of course, contact our Best Hot Tubs technicians and they will regularly check/maintain your spa, keep records of work done, and perform any of the above tasks should you wish.
