Hot tubs are perfect additions to outdoor relaxation. They give us the relaxation we need from the stress of work and life. You might think having an outdoor hot tub requires tedious care and is hard to maintain, but is it really?
No, outdoor hot tubs are not tough to maintain. Maintaining a hot tub doesn’t take much effort as all you need is a basic understanding of water chemistry. Following the easy-care routine for the hot tub is an important part of its upkeep and is inexpensive.
In this article, we tackle how to maintain your outdoor hot tub. We will provide rules for the upkeep of your outdoor hot tub, as well as a maintenance schedule.
Are Outdoor Hot Tubs Hard to Maintain?
One of the main worries individuals have when buying a hot tub is how much maintenance is required to maintain it in excellent working order. Some folks remember having to team lift the heavy hot tub cover only to be met by a horrible blast of harsh chemical stench as they grew up with a hot tub in the backyard.
When they were in the hot tub, they would sit in the strong-smelling water for a while, getting red eyes and dry, itchy skin before hurrying back into the house to shower to remove the terrible odor off their skin and hair. But, is a hot tub hard to maintain?
No, outdoor hot tubs are not hard to maintain. Maintaining a hot tub doesn’t consume much of your time and only requires knowledge about water chemistry. Part of the hot tub maintenance consists of religiously following the simple schedule of caring for it, and it is not expensive. You’ll just need to purchase some friendly chemicals and testing supplies that will only cost $20 a month.
Are you interested in upgrading your backyard? Getting an outdoor hot tub will definitely increase the coziness and relaxation factor of your outdoor space. But before you get yourself a hot tub, here are 4 requirements for a backyard hot tub.
How Do You Maintain an Outdoor Hot Tub?
When it comes to maintaining your hot tub, you must be aware of the basics of water care since hot tubs work with water. With enough knowledge and understanding regarding basic water care, you can easily contain the growth of bacteria or impurities that can cloud the water and damage the hot tub.
Here are some helpful tips to maintain your outdoor hot tub and make it “spa-ready.”
1. Water preparation is essential
The water from your hose is intended to pass through copper pipes and domestic water systems. As a result, you’ll need to alter the water to make it “spa-ready,” according to experts. Adjust the water by using testing strips to determine the pH balance and calcium hardness of the water.
Determine whether calcium levels are too high or too low using a water treatment supply kit, and then add chemicals until the water passes the “right” test. Since each location’s water system is different, local authorized professionals will be your best source of information on what to look for in your water and how to appropriately modify it.
2. Get rid of the bad stuff in your hot tub
You’ll need to understand how to sterilize your hot tub when the pH and mineral content are just correct. To sanitize, you need to know what things to use. Some maintenance experts advise using either chlorine or bromine. Each of these will help destroy any bacteria present in the water without harming the device. Always check your owner’s manual and, if necessary, your local authorized hot tub dealer if you are confused about the product’s guide.
3. Impurities must be removed
You’ll need to get rid of the impurities once you’ve removed the bad stuff so they don’t wind up in the hot tub. If organic contaminants are not removed, the water may become murky and, in the worst case, have a musty odor. To get rid of these impurities, use chlorine or bromine-based shock, which will help oxidize dead bacteria and other organic matter. The ideal time to replenish the water in your hot tub is every 3 to 4 months.
4. Don’t forget to cover your hot tub when not in use
When your hot tub isn’t in use, make sure it’s covered. In this way, any solid impurities, such as leaves, debris, and bugs, will be kept out. Also, be sure to clean the cover and the outside of the unit regularly, and condition it with the recommended conditioner.
Keeping your hot tub in top shape is quite easy. It is important to understand the principles of what makes a water spa ready, interpret a test strip, and set aside some time at regular intervals. If you follow these simple steps, your relaxation, social life, and health will be better than ever.
Rules for Hot Tub Maintenance
Here are the basic rules of hot tub maintenance to keep it in good condition and ready for your next spa party.
1. Maintain Proper Water Circulation in Your Hot Tub
Circulating the water helps keep it clean by running it through the cartridge filters in your hot tub. Some hot tubs feature an automated circulation plan that guarantees it runs once or twice a day, depending on the model. The automated cycles will help circulate the water in your hot tub for 15 to 20 minutes (or more) to guarantee all of the water in your tub is filtered.
If your hot tub doesn’t have an automated cycle, be sure you run it for 15 to 20 minutes twice a day to keep the water fresh. Don’t hesitate to use those filters. The cleaner your hot tub, the more you will use it.
Add tennis balls to your hot tub after you’ve used it to give it some extra cleaning power. The hot water extracts oils, lotions, and soap from your body and clothes, and your filters may not be able to completely remove them. Tennis balls, on the other hand, have fluffy fibers that will absorb them and keep your water clean.
2. Maintain a Simple Hot Tub Cleaning Routine
Cleaning your hot tub is a crucial step of proper hot tub care. Although scum may form in both indoor and outdoor hot tubs, for outdoor ones, keep an eye out for detritus like leaves, wind-blown garbage, and pests like rodents. To maintain a clean hot tub and avoid potential water difficulties, keep the waterline and seats clear.
Cleaning your spa’s shell and jets weekly using a sponge and some white vinegar can keep things neat. With this, you are brushing away the scum line at the water’s edge of your outdoor hot tub.
Don’t forget to wipe off the shell and hot tub cover with a 10 percent bleach-to-water solution to prevent mildew.
It is also important to regularly clean the filters of your hot tub. There are three ways to do so:
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Rinse the filters regularly
Using warm water or your garden hose, rinse your hot tub filters as often as possible, especially if you’ve been using your spa more than usual.
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Spray the filters weekly
To give your filters a thorough clean, spray them with a hot tub filter cleaner every week or so. Remember to rinse them afterward.
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Soak the filters using chemicals
To extend the lifespan of your filters and dislodge any tenacious particles, soak them in chemical cleaning every time you empty and refill your hot tub. After that, carefully rinse them.
It’s time to change your filters when they’ve become so dirty that even a chemical treatment won’t clean them entirely.
Every 3 to 4 months, drain and clean your hot tub. When you’re working with a tiny body of water, pollutants will pile up, making your chemicals less effective. The term for this is TDS or Total Dissolved Solids. It is advised to replenish the water in your hot tub every 3 to 4 months to avoid this problem. If you use the hot tub regularly, you should change it more frequently.
3. Make Sure the Chemistry of Your Hot Tub Water Is in Order
The chemistry of the water in your hot tub, as well as your own, is critical. Every week, use a testing kit, test strips, or other professional testing items to check the chemistry of your spa’s water.
To make things easy, we’ll outline the chemical levels you should test, why you should test them, and what range they should be in.
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pH
Your pH should range from 7.4 to 7.6. Because a low pH makes your water acidic and a high pH makes it “basic/alkaline,” maintaining a pH balance is critical. Acidic water may hurt your eyes, skin, hair, and spa, while basic water might make it difficult for your sanitizer to perform effectively, resulting in hazy spa water and shell buildup.
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Alkalinity
The amount of alkalinity in your body should be between 125 and 150 parts per million. Scaling, scum, and hazy water are all symptoms of high alkalinity.
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Calcium hardness
The calcium level in your body should be between 100 and 250 parts per million. If this level is too low, additional minerals (copper, aluminum, and iron) will be drawn from your water, causing equipment corrosion. Your water will then cloud, and your spa will develop a scale if your calcium hardness level is too high. You must constantly be aware of a few critical compounds.
Moving from one house to another is always stressful. If you are planning on taking your outdoor hot tub with you to your new place, you need to be prepared because this is a difficult process. To help you with this challenging task, here are 11 safe and easy steps to move your hot tub.
Hot Tub Maintenance Schedule
Regular hot tub maintenance is essential to keep your spa in good condition. In addition, various hot tub maintenance procedures can be completed weekly, seasonally, or even yearly. Below is the ideal hot tub maintenance schedule.
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Weekly hot tub maintenance
When your spa is not in use, make sure it is secure and clean, and always cover the hot tub when you are not using it.
At least twice a week, check the chemical of your water, and at least once a week, wipe off your hot tub with a sponge, paying specific attention to the waterline. Sanitize and shock your water weekly. Remove your spa filter(s) and thoroughly rinse them with water.
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Monthly hot tub maintenance
Make a chemical bath for your spa filter(s). Ensure that your spa cover is clean and examine the lines and jets in your spa. Also, every month, clean the cabinet in your hot tub for there might be things you have kept in there while using the hot tub.
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Seasonal hot tub maintenance
As much as possible, drain and clean your spa completely and allow your spa filter(s) to soak in a chemical bath. Don’t forget to flush and cleanse your lines to remove any biofilm that may have formed. This might cause hazards, and it is best to check on this before it’s too late.
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Yearly hot tub maintenance
Make it a habit to examine the hardware in your spa for any signs of wear and tear every year. Call a service technician to double-check that your spa is in excellent working order just to be safe.
Conclusion
It’s critical to know the manufacturer and type of your hot tub before doing any maintenance procedures. With this article, you are now equipped with guides and rules on keeping your outdoor hot tub clean. It is important that you know the mazes of maintaining your outdoor structure and how to do so.
Follow the guides and essential rules discussed in this article to avoid any misfortune. If the maintenance is out of your hands, you can call a hot tub maintenance professional to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
