Buying a hot tub is a major investment, and you need to maintain that investment carefully. A hot tub that is properly maintained and well cared for can provide many years of trouble-free service, but a neglected hot tub could fail in just a few years.
Hot tub repairs can be rather expensive, but you can avoid many of those costs with a simple maintenance routine. Checking the water chemistry in your hot tub once a month and every time you add water is perhaps the best way to ensure trouble-free operation. Here are some additional maintenance tips to keep your hot tub running like new.
. Check the pH at least once a month. Low pH can cause a number of problems for hot tub owners, including costly issues like heater failure. Allowing the pH to dip below 7.0 for an extended period of time will corrode the heating element and eventually cause it to fail.
. Watch out for water around the equipment area. If the pump seal fails in your hot tub, the most obvious sign will be a small puddle of water around the equipment area. If you notice this early warning sign, you need to contact your hot tub dealer for professional service.
. Remove accumulated dirt with a mild non-abrasive cleaner. Use a cleanser that does not produce suds and a nylon scrubber to gently remove the dirt. You can clean small stains with baking soda.
. To clean the hot tub cover, carefully remove it and spray the entire thing with a garden hose. Mix a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and two gallons of water and scrub the cover with a circular motion.
. Clean your hot tub filter once a month by removing the cartridge and spraying it with a garden hose. Rotate the cartridge as you spray to dislodge and remove accumulated dirt and calcium deposits. Replace the filter if the dirt cannot easily be removed.
. Install an insulated hot tub cover if you live in a cold climate. The insulation will help keep your hot tub warm and cozy and reduce the energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature.
. Check the cover frequently for signs of damage. Normal wear and tear is nothing to worry about, but the cover should be replaced if there are large tears or holes.
. Recheck the water chemistry every time you fill up your hot tub. Some evaporation is normal, and adding water is a part of hot tub maintenance. Adding water without addressing water chemistry could throw off the balance in the hot tub and cause components to degrade and corrode.
. Remove snow and ice promptly from the hot tub cover. Use warm water from the hot tub to melt ice that accumulates along the cover and around the sides.
You do not have to spend a lot of time or a lot of money to keep your hot tub running like new season after season. Checking and fixing the water chemistry takes only a few minutes, and even a deep cleaning should take no more than an hour. When you think about how much time you spend enjoying your hot tub, the amount of work needed to maintain it is no big deal.
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