Learn how to keep your spa clean and sparking
Spas and hot tubs have been around for a long time. They date back to the times of Alexander the Great. He and his troops used the spas to revive them and to heal them and their animals. Spas are relaxing and reviving still today. There are many uses for your spa: exercise, entertaining, rehabilitation, etc. No matter how you use your spa it needs to be properly maintained in order for it to keep running smoothly. One of the most important things is to keep your water healthy and balanced.
Fresh Water
Spas are obviously a lot smaller than pools. This causes them to have an increased level of TDS’s present (total dissolved solids). We recommend you change you spa water every three or four months. The spa water is most often warm, therefore growth of bacteria and algae thrives. The treatment and maintenance of a spa pool compared to a swimming pool is different because of the temperature of water and size of the spa.
Test your spa water before each use- or at least weekly if you are not using it daily. Regularly check total alkalinity and pH levels. Keep your total alkalinity levels between 80ppm and 120ppm for the most effective sanitation.
Balanced Water
It is important to test the pH levels of your spa on a consistent basis. The pH level measures acidity or alkalinity. It’s measured on a scale of 1 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. The smaller the number, the more acidic. The higher the number, the more basic. Having incorrect or imbalanced pH levels can cause your sanitizer to not do its job. It can also cause eye and skin irritations and corrosion of metal fittings inside your spa.
We recommend your spa pH be between 7.2-7.8.It can be increased or decreased by adding an Alkalinity Increaser or a pH reducer. Check out our list of products at Ask the Pool Guy, or give us a call and we can help you find what you need for your spa.
Sanitizer
Due to the higher temperatures in spas, sanitizing your spa is an essential key to spa maintenance. Harmful micro-organisms and bacteria thrive in warm water. The amount of sanitizer your spa requires depends on the water temperature of your spa and how often it is used. More use=more sanitizer needed.
The most common forms of sanitizers typically used in spas are Bromine, Chlorine, and Lithium. PHMB is currently rising in popularity for spa sanitation because it is a non-chlorine alternative.
If you choose to use a salt water chlorinator, make sure it is designed to produce the correct level of chlorine to sanitize a spa.
Correct Chemicals
It is essential to use the correct amount of chemical disinfectant required. Be sure to remember it is significantly different than that of a large swimming pool. Keep in mind extremely hot water consumes sanitizer very quickly. As a general guide, Chlorine should be kept at 2.00-3.00ppm, Bromine at 3.00-4.00ppm, an dPHMB at 15-50ppm.
If you and your family are big on spa usage, keeping the chemical dosage correct is essential. After heavy use of the spa it is important to shock your pool. Then check your sanitizer level again before every use. It’s important to keep the chemical dosage correct even if the spa is not in continuous use.
Tips
- Keep the temperature below 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Never mix chemicals together
- Never add water to chemicals, only add chemicals to water
- Use your spas safety cover and make sure it is closed and locked when the spa is not in use
- It is essential to keep the filter clean
- Store chemicals in a cool, dry place out of reach
- Do not allow children in a spa without consistent adult supervision, it can be as dangerous as a swimming pool
- Check regularly all suction outlets
- Call Ask the Pool Guy for any maintenance tips or help!