Owning a hot tub is a powerful way to transform your backyard into your own personal oasis, soothing aches and pains and creating the ultimate way to bring your loved ones together,
However, to ensure your hot tub continues to provide you with unmatched luxury bliss, regular maintenance is essential.
In this article, we’re going to outline the perfect hot tub maintenance routine that will have you caring for your hot tub like a pro, 365 days a year.
With the right knowledge and the necessary steps to maintain your spa, keeping it in pristine condition for years to come will be a breeze.
In this guide, we will break down every aspect of hot tub maintenance, ensuring you have all the tools to enjoy safe, soothing soaks free from stress.
From basic water treatment and filter care to essential cleaning and routine inspections, we’re covering it all.
Whether you’re a seasoned hot tub owner or a first-time owner eagerly preparing for your delivery day, this guide was designed to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to easily care for your hot tub and maximize its life span from day one!
Let’s get started!
Your Complete Hot Tub Maintenance Guide
Taking proper care of your hot tub is a multi-step process that requires different steps to be taken throughout the year.
A well-rounded hot tub maintenance routine should include maintenance steps in four intervals:
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Quarterly
- Annually
Below, we’ll break down what we recommend to be included in each one.
Weekly Hot Tub Maintenance
Your weekly maintenance is easily one of the most vital aspects of your care routine.
The steps you take each week will determine how clean your water is and can ensure it’s always safe to enjoy.
Weekly maintenance should include the following:
- Testing and treating the water
- Checking the temperature
- Adding shock
- Rinsing your filters
- Wiping the exposed edge of the shell
Ideally, you should be testing and treating your water at least three times a week using your digital meter or pH test strips.
When it comes to monitoring your water temperature, we recommend checking it each time you plan to use your spa before you step into the water.
Once a week, you’ll need to shock your water to help break down stubborn bacteria, rinse your filter to wash away debris, and wipe any dirt and grime off the top edge of your spa.
Monthly Hot Tub Maintenace
Monthly maintenance aims to keep your hot tub in its best condition by ensuring everything is working properly.
You’ll want to take three important steps each month:
- Spray the filters with filter cleaner
- Clean the underside of your cover
- Inspect your system
Even with rinsing your filters each month, stubborn debris can embed itself into the pleats, slowly reducing their efficiency over time.
Spraying them with a filter cleaner and letting them soak for 15 minutes before rinsing them off can help lift this heavier debris and improve their efficiency once again.
When it comes to your cover, the underside is constantly exposed to the moisture from the water and the chemicals as they off-gas.
Each month you’ll want to wipe the underside of the cover with a very diluted bleach mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water.
This can help reduce the risk of mold or mildew developing.
Additionally, inspecting your hot tub’s system, such as your heating element, pump, and pipes, is an important part of hot tub maintenance that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Small issues can quickly lead to expensive repairs if not diagnosed early.
Including a regular inspection of your system for any damage or signs of leaks can help reduce the risk of costly repairs in the future.
Quarterly Hot Tub Maintenance
Every three months, or once each season, you’ll need to give your hot tub a bit more attention.
This routine will take the most time compared to the others, but each step is a crucial aspect of your hot tub’s overall health and plays a significant role in its expected lifespan.
Each quarter, you’ll want to set aside some time to do the following:
- Drain, deep clean, and refill your spa
- Chemical soak your filters
- Wipe down the cabinet
- Inspect your cover
Draining your spa helps ensure you’re always soaking in freshwater that’s not overloaded with chemicals.
When it’s time to drain your spa, each one of these steps can be included at the same time.
The night before you drain your spa, remove your filters and add them to a bucket with a diluted mixture of your filter cleaner and water (as per the bottle’s instructions).
This deep clean can help maximize their life and keep your hot tub running efficiently all year long.
At the very minimum, let them soak overnight, but for best results, aim to leave them in the chemical bath for 24 hours.
The next day, drain your hot tub and thoroughly clean the shell, inspecting it for any damage as you go. Pay close attention to your jets, looking for any signs of damage as you clean.
After you’re done cleaning your shell, thoroughly rinse it off, then refill it with fresh water and reinstall your filters (after rinsing them off).
As your hot tub is refilling, wipe your cabinet with a damp cloth to remove any grime that’s built up over the season.
Then, inspect your cover for any damage, wipe down both the top and bottom, and apply a UV protectant spray to guard against the sun’s damaging rays.
Annual Hot Tub Maintenance
Some parts of your hot tub will have an expected lifespan of 12 months, making it important to replace them at the end of each year.
Additionally, there’s an important inclusion to your routine that can help prepare your hot tub for the next year.
Here are three things you’ll need to do each year:
- Replace your filters
- Change your CLEARRAY®️ Bulb (if your hot tub has one)
- Schedule professional service and inspection
Hot tub filters are only good for 12 months.
If they sustain damage, like rips or tears, you’ll need to replace them sooner, but if they’ve remained in good condition over the year, it’ll be time to change them at the 12-month mark.
Additionally, if your hot tub has a CLEARRAY®️ bulb, like many Jacuzzi®️ Hot Tubs, you’ll need to replace the bulb after a year of use.
Throughout the year, the powerful UV-C light will slowly weaken, becoming ineffective after 12 months.
This makes it imperative to replace it at the end of each year.
Lastly, if you’re not including professional hot tub maintenance in your monthly or quarterly routines, you should schedule a service appointment at least once a year.
This ensures a technician can come out and thoroughly inspect your system and ensure it’s in good condition, noting any changes that are important to monitor or repair.
Professional Hot Tub Maintenace in Sarasota
By following the steps above, you can maximize the lifespan of your hot tub, optimize its performance, and create a reliable environment that promotes relaxation and enjoyment for you and everyone who matters most.
If you need some support caring for your hot tub or simply need to restock some of your hot tub supplies, the experts at Legacy Hot Tubs are here to help.
Our team of professional technicians is ready to step in and help you care for your spa whenever you need them.
Whether it’s testing and treating your water, performing a water change, or thoroughly inspecting your hot tub, we do it all.
Contact us, or request service online today.
