Jim's Articles

How to maintain your hot tub clean

Refer to your Owner’s Manual for sanitizers approved for use with your spa. DO NOT USE tri-chlor chlorine, any type of compressed bromine or chlorine, acid or any type of sanitizer not approved for your spa. Here are several advices about how to maintain your hot tub and also a suggestion if you live in Colorado. But first let’s view the hot tub choice of the month : HotSpring has 20 hot tub models, five of which are built for two or three people. Most of the hot tub manufacturers we evaluated have only three models, so HotSpring offers a better selection of small spas. Three of these spas are part of the brand’s Hot Spot collection, which fall into the value price range and have 10-17 jets. The other two are premium-priced spas from HotSpring’s top tier Highlife collection and have 14 or 22 jets. HotSpring also has 10 medium spas and five large spas with various price ranges, all of which come equipped with energy-saving features and are certified by the California Energy Commission. With five small hot tub models, Hot Spring has the best selection of two- and three-person hot tubs of the brands we reviewed.

Besides performing regular maintenance tasks, it also doesn’t hurt to perform regular inspections of your hot tub’s inner workings in order to catch small problems before they become big ones. Primarily, look for obvious leaks or wet areas beneath the tub. Catching these problems early can be the difference between replacing a $10 pump seal and needing a new $250 part. Also, pay attention to your hot tub’s functioning, and call in a repairman if you notice any major problems, such as failure to heat, pump, or filter the water. Catching an obvious problem like a failed heater during the dead of winter can mean the difference between replacing the heater with a new unit, and having to replace just about everything on your tub, or replace the tub completely, after you thaw it out.

Advices for purchasing a hot tub : Hot tubs that need to be moved in the future should use a Plug-and-Play connection. These fit a standard 120 volt outlet. Many spas have convertible voltage if you want to hard wire the tub in the future. 240V hard wired spas heat faster and stay hot longer than Plug and Play tubs. Qualified electricians must wire 240V systems. This also means installing a spa GFCI disconnect panel for safety.

One of the most important things you can do to increase the longevity of your spa cover is to remove it at least twice per week. Use a spa cover lifter to completely remove it, or if you don’t have a spa cover lift, gently place it off the spa. Give your cover a few hours to breathe and shake off some of the constant heat and moisture. This is also a good time to add chemicals or shock the spa if you aren’t using it at the time.

If your spa filter has a pressure gauge attached to it, the cartridge needs cleaned when the pressure rises 8-10 PSI higher than the freshly cleaned pressure reading, or when flow is noticeably reduced. If you have no gauge on your filter, you should clean the filter on a regular schedule. Spa and Hot Tub CareI clean my own filter cartridge every 4-8 weeks, depending on how often I use the spa. If my hot tub is being used a few times per week, I’ll clean the filter every four weeks, or monthly.

Don’t do it in a hot tub : If a spa is indoors and inadequately ventilated, some users may experience slight throat and eye irritation. Ventilate it naturally or mechanically with an exhaust fan. Find another place rather than the spa’s equipment compartment to store chemicals. Despite all of those stereotypes and hijinx we see in movies and hear about with celebrities, hot tubs and drinking don’t go hand-in-hand. Refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages before or during spa use. Alcohol can make you drowsy and lead to drowning. Anyone taking prescription or certain over-the-counter medications should consult their physician before using a hot tub. Enjoy the soak in the tub, don your toasty terry cloth robe, and enjoy your glass of pinot grigio while sitting by the fire pit.

You might know them best from chemistry class, but enzymes aren’t just handy for processing food or making wine. These twisty little proteins get around to the strangest places—including your hot tub. Special enzyme products for your spa work the same way most other enzymes do: they break down organic compounds. In your hot tub, they break down fatty lipids from body oils, cosmetics, lotions, and other sources that might be lurking in your water. Dosed with enzymes, your hot tub and filter system will be cleaner, and your sanitizer will work more efficiently. Enzymes also keep your spa free of the “scum line” that can sometimes form at the water’s edge. Read more details at Hot Tub Repair Service in Colorado.