A Basic Hot Tub Maintenance Guide for Beginners

If you’re the owner of a hot tub, it’s important that you stay on top of all the necessary routine maintenance to keep it sanitary and in good condition. If you’re a new owner, though, you might not be familiar with all of the responsibilities you have in this regard.

With this in mind, here’s a quick overview of some of the key steps of hot tub maintenance that you should be aware of to preserve your investment in Tucson, AZ.

Water chemistry

Your hot tub owner’s manual will include information about the water chemistry standards you need to maintain. You’ll need to check the water several times a week and adjust the levels as needed to make sure you keep the proper chlorine, bromine, alkalinity, calcium hardness and pH balances.

It’s a good idea to maintain a log of each of these individual statistics so you can track your results over time and keep track of the kinds of adjustments you need to make. You should be able to use tap water in most cases, though some areas might have water quality issues with tap water. It’s a good idea to get an analysis done of your water so you can better understand the kinds of issues you’re likely to have with your water chemistry and be better prepared for managing them.

Cleaning the hot tub

Every three or four months, you should fully clean the hot tub, including all surfaces, the water line and the plumbing. Do not use household cleaning products for this process—you should purchase products specifically designed for hot tubs so you can prevent any contaminants or chemicals from harming the water quality in your hot tub.

If dirt or debris has built up, you can vacuum the seats and floors with vacuums specifically designed for hot tubs. Many are even able to remove large leaves. Use a skimmer net to remove any floating debris from the hot tub.

Change filters

The hot tub filter is located under the hot tub’s skimmer basket, and you should be able to access it from the side of the hot tub. It might also be in a small assembly under the hot tub. The filter should be replaced once a year or so, depending on your usage level. A good general rule is to change it every 10 to 15 cleanings, because this is going to be what’s most likely to deteriorate the cartridge.

Air and clean the hot tub cover

Remove the hot tub cover a couple times a week using a hot tub cover lifter, then set it up to let it breathe for a few hours to get it away from the heat and moisture. It’s also a good idea to clean and condition the hot tub cover every once in a while, especially if the hot tub is located outside—it’s likely to accumulate a fair amount of debris from pollen, dirt, tree sap and other contaminants.

Maintain proper water levels

Every so often you should add fill water so you can keep the water level in the middle of the skimmer intake or just a bit higher. Too high could result in overflowing, but you should at least prevent the water from getting too low. You can use a garden hose for this.

For more information related to this basic hot tub maintenance guide, we encourage you to contact Arizona Pool & Pond Company in Tucson, AZ today.

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