General Hot Tub Maintenance Safety Tips
For any hot tub owner or user it is important to keep our safety tips in mind at all times:
Don’t Forget About Filters
Most acrylic spas will have a cartridge filter system and hot tub pump. You should regularly check that your filtration system is in good working order at least once a week. Please note that when your hot tub cartridge filter is dirty, its performance will deteriorate. This can lead to dirty and potentially contaminated water.
Usually, spa cartridges will need cleaning weekly , however, we would advise more regular cleaning if your hot tub is being used a lot. Other factors that can affect how often you should clean your filters are contaminants like grass, leaves, fake tanning products, body creams, make up, soaps and detergents.
But Do I Really Need Chemicals For My Hot Tub
The answer is YES! You really do need hot tub chemicals to maintain and sustain the longevity of your spa. If you want to submerge yourself in the spa regularly and enjoy some me-time or have a relaxing time with your friends, you definitely need to balance the water chemistry level!
There is no way that you can avoid using hot tub chemicals. Filthy water, which is filled with germs and bacteria, will not only damage the equipment of the hot tub but also give you hot tub related illnesses. Stagnant water and an unbalanced chemistry level will become a breeding ground for various organisms. The key to avoiding spending a hefty amount in the near future for the repairs of your hot tub is to have your hot tub water chemistry balanced.
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How To Store Hot Tub Chemicals
The option for chemicals storageSource:
At first glance, it might seem that storing chemicals is pretty straightforward. I mean how hard could it be right? Perhaps you just put the chemicals where theres free storage space and take them from there when needed. However, its not that simple. If not stored properly, hot tub chemicals can lose their efficiency and pose serious risks for your health.
According to the CDC, in 2003-2012, the median estimated number of people visiting hospitals for chemicalassociated injuries per year was over four thousand. Injuries were caused due to several reasons such as improper ratios and unsafe chemical storage .
Here we provide you with information on how to store hot tub chemicals properly.
- Maintain the right temperature. Hot tub chemicals can be damaged by extremely high or low temperatures. The best temperature for storing hot tub chemicals is 55-70°F .
- Keep chemicals in a dry place. Hot tub chemicals can react to moisture in the environment, so make sure you pick a dry year-round place to store them.
- Avoid storage in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will reduce the effectiveness of spa chemicals.
- Keep chemicals out of the reach of children. There are many cases of chemical irritants inhalation. If a child swallows or inhales certain chemicals like chlorine, it can cause serious poisoning. Prevention is better than cure. Ensure that all chemicals are out of the reach of children.
Sanitising The Hot Tub
After your hot tub has reached the recommended pH and alkalinity levels, the next step is to sanitise the hot tub and the water. There are many different types of sanitisers. The main forms of sanitisers are chlorine, bromine, minerals and salt systems. Each type of sanitiser comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.
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When And How Do I Put Chemicals In The Hot Tub
The first step is to remove the hot tub cover. The hot tub must be kept open during this time as when the chemicals are put in the hot tub they release gas.
After this, you need to switch on the spa and let the water circulate the chemicals in the hot tub for it to mix well. But make sure to switch off the air jets as some chemicals wouldnt work properly if exposed to air spray.
After you let the water circulate the chemicals for some time, take test strips and insert the strips in the water to check the pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness level before you try to balance the water chemical level.
Remember to wear gloves when you pre-measure the chemicals and pour them. Sprinkle the substances in the water and let it circulate for 15 minutes. Keep the cover open for the chemicals to breathe appropriately.
Products To Adjust Ph
The pH levels in your hot tub help control the waters acidity. If the pH levels are low, there is more acid in the hot tub water than if the levels are high. The more acidic the water is, the harder it is for the sanitizers to do their job, causing higher levels of exposure to harmful contaminants.
Low acidic levels are also prone to corrosion build-up on spa components. This can result in an expensive component replacement.
Ensure the pH level in your hot tub stays above 7.4 by using a good balancer or pH increaser. You can also test the water using test strips for an accurate reading to see where your water lies on the pH scale. The test strip will tell you where your water chemistry is according to proper levels.
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Starting Up Your New Hot Tub
Congratulations on the purchase of your new Sundance Spa!
Now that your Hot Tub is in the backyard, you’ve filled it with your garden hose and your electrician has wired it up, it’s time to get it ready for use.
The Sundance Spa Store has used its years of experience in the Hot Tub industry to carefully select a range of products that make Sundance Hot Tub maintenance simple.
In this blog, we will give you our step-by-step guide to maintaining your Sundance Hot Tub’s water.
Filling Your Spa
Regular Care
With just a little bit of regular maintenance, you can keep your hot tub water clean & clear, so it is always ready for you to enjoy.
When you are adding chemicals to your hot tub water, don’t add multiple chemicals at once. Your chemicals are more effective when they are added separately.
After you have added chemicals to the water, always leave your hot tub cover open and run your jets for 20 minutes so the chemicals can mix with the water properly. This also helps prevent a build up of unpleasant odors in your hot tub.
Water Balance
Having healthy, sparkling clean hot tub water requires that your water is balanced. having balanced water is equally as important as adding sanitizer and spa shock to keep your hot tub water clean & clear.
Unbalanced water can result in staining, scale build up and green or cloudy water.
Helpful Hints
Enjoy your new Sundance Spa!
The Sundance Spa Store Team.
What Chemicals Do You Need For A Hot Tub
If you want to keep your hot tub water balanced and avoid major problems like algae, bacteria, and biofilm build-up, youll need to have these hot tub chemicals on hand:
- Hot tub sanitizer, like chlorine or bromine
- Water clarifier, metal sequestrant, filter cleaner
Before you add anything to your hot tub, youll need to test your water. Youll want a good supply of test strips. Or for more accurate results, you can use a liquid test kit. You can also take a water sample to your local pool and spa store if you want to test your water source for metals or other minerals. Now after you have your baseline readings, you can start adding your chemicals.
Here are the right hot tub chemical levels:
Hot Tub Video Course. Its an easy-to-follow guide to help you save time and money on hot tub maintenance.
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Clean Out The Jet Lines
This is an important, but often overlooked step. Before you get to work adding chemicals and balancing your tubs water, you first want to clean out the jet lines from all the algae, bacteria, and other contaminants that have built up over the past few months. To do this, use a product such as Proline Jet Line Cleaner. This will clear out all those nasties so they dont get in the way of balancing the water later on.
Let’s Start With The Basics
The hot tub was invented by Jacuzzi when they coined the idea for the first hydrotherapy jet in the 1950s. The brand then went on to create the first hot tub in 1970. Unlike some modern spas on today’s market, Jacuzzis are high quality and designed to be low maintenance.
All hot tubs require regular maintenance to keep the water healthy and safe for bathers. Before getting started you will need to choose what type of chemicals to add based on your needs and skin sensitivity. Our hot tub chemical guide can help you choose the right sanitiser.
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Hot Tub Chemicals Guide For Beginners
Owning a hot tub or swim spa must be exciting for you. You go to your nearby hot tub dealer, browse for the best hot tub, select one, and land a deal with the seller and ta-da! You have the best hot tub at the perfect location at your house, but what you fail to think is the hot tub water chemistry involved.
Buying a hot tub is easy, but maintaining the very same hot tub is not that easy. That said, you dont need to scratch your brains or get a degree in chemistry. All you need is the right chemicals and a hot tub and let the magic happen.
Maintaining a hot tub is necessary because, unlike your bathtub, you dont drain the water every time you use it. The water in your spa stays there for weeks and months to come, and you must know very well that stagnant water always becomes unclean and filthy.
Rinse And Final Drain
Once you feel the tub has been given a good scrub, rinse it to wash away the cleaning solution. Youll need to be thorough in your rinse, as any remnants of the cleaning product in the tub may make it hard to balance your water.
A final drain will also have to be done. You can use either draining method for it but the important thing is that you flush out all the water from the tub.
If theres any debris left over on the bottom of the tub, you can use a Shop-Vac to suck it up, or remove it by hand with a towel.
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What Order Do You Add Hot Tub Chemicals
Before adding chemicals, test your water. If this is your very first time filling up your hot tub, you may want to use a more comprehensive test kit to measure calcium hardness or metals like iron and copper.
Tip: Filling up your hot tub with a hose filter can help remove impurities like metals and calcium before they get into your spa.
Next, heat up your spa until the water temperature reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 30 degrees celsius. The hot water will disperse your chemicals more effectively. And run your jets, turn off air valves and keep your cover off of your hot tub.
Finally, its time to add your chemicals one at a time, waiting at least 20 minutes between each chemical before retesting. Heres the step-by-step sequence we recommend for adding chemicals to your hot tub:
Draining Your Hot Tub
Over time your spa water will absorb minerals, chemicals, and other soluble materials, which will lead to an increase in Total Dissolved Solids . TDS reduces the efficiency of spa chemicals, making the water harder to maintain.
With the above in mind, The British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association advises that the change of water should ideally be done once every month, but it may be extended up to once every 3 to 4 months if tub usage is low. When doing so, it is a good idea to clean your hot tub pipework using Jacuzzi Pipe Cleaner to maintain clear, working pipes.
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Alternative Water Care Programs
If you want to try a different water care regimen than standard chlorine or bromine, there are a few products available. These are sometimes sold as natural or premium water care systems. There are several brand names available. These alternative solutions may or may not be more natural depending on how you look at them. However, they do take a somewhat different approach to inhibiting water-born contaminants. Some of these solutions are marketed as a technology that hinders bacterial growth by eradicating the food source. Others are sold as metal-based bacterial inhibitors. Most contain additional water conditioning agents that claim to help your water feel softer to your skin.
Tips for using alternative water care systems:
The Ultimate Hot Tub Set Up Guide For New Owners
Not sure what to do now that your hot tub has arrived? Of course we wish it were as simple as filling it with water and hopping in. However, it does take a little work to get your spa set up. Ive put together 7 easy steps on how to set up a hot tub.
Dont want to read? Print this Hot Tub Setup Guide!
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What Are Hot Tub Chemicals
All hot tubs share one trait: they need regular cleaning. Thats where the chemicals come in.
Hot tub chemicals are mixtures that remove dead skin cells, body oils, and bacteria from your spa water.
They also calm skin irritations and make long soaks more comfortable. And some chemicals ensure your hot tub stays pH balanced, so you dont need to refill it as often.
Try A Shock Treatment
To ensure your water stays clean and pure, hot tub experts recommend shocking your hot tub at least once a week, though this can fluctuate depending on where you live and how often your hot tub is used. Shock treatments break down the organic contaminants that cause cloudy water and unwanted odors. Just follow the directions on your shock treatment package.
A New Start
If balancing your waters chemistry becomes too difficult, it might be time for a fresh start! Its recommended you drain your hot tub every 3 months to flush out the plumbing and reset the water.
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What Chemicals To Add To Hot Tub The First Time
If you have bought a hottub recently, you might be wondering what chemicals to add to the hot tub forthe first time. Many hot tub owners struggle to find the answer to theirqueries about hot tub chemicals. There are many things you need to take care ofwhile adding chemicals to the hot tubs water. Putting extra chemicals can playhavoc with the chemistry of the water, which can be detrimental to thewell-being of people who soak in the hot tub.
You also need to takecare of chemical quantities and the order in which to add the chemicals. Inthis article, we are also going to take a look at all the factors that youshould keep in mind while adding chemicals to the hot tub for the first time.
Once the water is at the appropriate level in the hot tub, you can start adding the chemicals. You can find out the recommended level of water by checking the markers on your hot tub. Once the hot tub is full of water, let the pump run for at least an hour so that the water can circulate through the hot tub. To know which chemicals to add, you need first to check the level of chemicals present in the water. Choose the brand of chemical testing strips recommended by your hot tubs manufacturer.
The ideal pH value ofthe water should be between 7.2 and 7.6. If the pH is higher or lower, add thepH decreasing agent or a pH increasing agent as needed. Once the pH isbalanced, you can move on to the next step of balancing the alkalinity of thewater.
References:
How To Start A Hot Tub Or Spa
- |April 13, 2021
Over time, no matter how much sanitizer is in the tub, the water becomes overloaded with pollutants and total dissolved solids .
This makes the water unsafe to bathe in, and at that point, youll have to drain the tub and start over.
If youve never done it before, youll learn its quite easy to do, and you wont have to pay a professional to stop by and care for your tub.
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