Hot Tub Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning of the equipment

Having the right tool for the job makes all the difference, and when it comes to cleaning the spa, the following products should be used:

Spa plumbing system cleaner
Spa non-foaming all-surface cleaner
Filter cleaning compound
Clean filter cartridge
Spa cover protectant
Spa shell acrylic polish and sealer.

You will first need to remove your spa filters and flush your plumbing system using the Spa System Flush, and then drain spa water. Once this is done, you have to reinstall the filter cartridge with a clean and dry one. If it is more than a year old, you should replace the filter; otherwise soaking it in P ">Power Soak filter cleaning compound and drying is sufficient.

The next step is to thoroughly clean the tub shell and treat it with Clean All spa surface cleaner, and repeat as required. Never use common household cleaners as they can cause foaming problems, and in the process alter the pH balance of hot tubs.
In order to be properly protected, the spa shell has to be treated with Gel Gloss, preferably several times a year. However never use car wax as a spa shell alternative. Once this is completed, you need to apply 303 Protectant to the vinyl spa cover both on the inside and outside and repeat once every month to protect the spa from UV damage.

However if your cover is waterlogged or worn out, it has to be replaced. Not only does it reduce the insulating capacity of the spa and waste heat and money for you, smelly and decomposing covers harbor microorganisms that contaminate your spa water. The spa is now ready for filling with fresh water; and all these procedures have to be repeated with a water change.

Balancing and treating water

Spa water has to be drained and replaced every 2-3 months, depending on the amount of use. To balance your water, you need test strips, Oxy Spa non-chlorine shock, Alkalinity Increaser to raise TA and pH, pH Decrease to lower high pH levels and pH increase for raising low pH.

You may also need an Easy pH that raises only pH and not TA, a Hardness Increaser to raise low calcium hardness, Metal Free for stain and scale control, Hardness test strips to test hardness of calcium and pH Proper to lock in a pH level. ZorbO is an effective oil scum absorber for treating water while Scum Buster and Sea Klear enzyme scum digester are great for clarifying water.

To balance your water, you have to first fill the hot tub spa with fresh water. Stain and scale control and clarifying agents have to be added when the tub is half full; once full, the water has to be checked for using 3-way test strips. First you need to check for Total Alkalinity, and then for pH. According to the results, adjustments have to be made using Alkalinity Increase or pH Decrease as required.

The ideal TA range for the Cleanwater Blue system is 30 - 90 PPM and 80 -120 PPM for Bromine or Nature 2 systems. To balance low TA, Alkalinity Increaser has to be added until the appropriate TA reading is reached. However if TA is high, pH Decrease has to be added.

High TA levels are not as problematic as low TA levels. Just make sure there is sufficient time for adjusting chemicals when balancing the spa water. If your water shows very high pH or TA, which do not respond to pH Decrease, you could try AcidMagic.
The ideal pH range is 7.2 to 7.6, which is usually brought about by adjusting TA. PH levels below 7.2 should be balanced by adding Alkalinity Increaser to reach a level of 7.4. The stronger pH Increase may be used when both pH and TA are very low. However remember that as both pH increase and Alkalinity Increaser raise TA, if TA is already on the higher side, Easy pH is the better choice for raising pH.
However if pH level is more than 7.8, then pH Decrease has to be added until you reach a reading of 7.6. Once the right pH level is reached, then that pH level can be locked in using pH Proper to the water. With this, there may not be a need of adjusting the water much until the next water change.

Higher pH levels are essentially not as problematic as low pH levels, because low pH levels represent acidity. This induces harmful corrosion, while high pH can lead to scale formation; which is less problematic than corrosion. Maintaining the pH of the water at the correct level creates a better feel on the skin for the user.

You can test the calcium hardness of your water using spa test strips, and you can add Hardness Increaser to reach 150 PPM if it is too low. Foaming and other problems sometimes arise from low hardness. Before retesting, it is better to circulate water to let the water equilibrate. If you add Hardness Increase to the water, it is better to wait a day before adding pH Proper.

If you add non-chlorine shock, always follow the instructions on the label. ZorbO scum absorber has to be added to the water once the hot tub is filled and balanced. It is necessary to run the spa a minimum of 3-6 hours a day to filter the water and distribute the sanitizer. The clarifier and scum digestor has to be refilled weekly, or as per label instructions. Chemicals have to be added to the water one at a time, and never by pre-mixing them. Spa water has to be tested weekly and readjusted as required.

Initiating of sanitizer system

To start your sanitizing, you have to first decide on the type of spa you have and use. This is because directions for different systems are different. In the case of a bromine system, bromine tablets have to be placed in floating dispensers to release sanitizers as required, when water circulates.
The additional supplies you need for a bromine system are bromine tablets, a floating tablet dispenser of the adjustable type, granular bromine that establishes a bromine bank and 3-way test strips.

For the bromine procedure, after preparing equipment and testing water balance, granular bromine has to be added to create an immediate bromine reserve. Then 3-4 bromine tablets have to be loaded in the bromine float to release bromine continuously to the hot tub.

After a few hours of spa circulation, you can test the bromine level. The ideal level to be maintained is 3-5 PPM; however never let it fall below 3 PPM. Give shocks periodically using OxySpa non-chlorine shock as per instructions on the label. Once performed, you have to test your water every week.
Cleanwater Blue System

The Cleanwater Blue system sanitizer is an advanced alternative liquid sanitizer that is odor free. It is easy to use and is a healthy alternative purifier that works by releasing mineral ions into the water. A bottle lasts for 4-6 months.

The additional supplies required for Cleanwater Blue System are Cleanwater Blue spa purifier, Cleanwater Prep calcium sequestrant, Cleanwater Purge - a compatible scale and metal inhibitor, Dichlor for occasional shocking and Copper 3-way test strips for testing copper ion levels.

Drain and prepare equipment and test pH and TA levels before adding a tablespoon of OxySpa, 10 ml of Cleanwater Prep, 5ml of Cleanwater Blue and a teaspoon of Dichlor to the water as per label instructions. After 2 weeks add Cleanwater Purge every fortnight. By adding ZorbO oil scum absorber to your hot tub, you can get exceptional water quality.

Nature2 System

The Nature2 System is an alternative odor free cartridge sanitizer that fits in the spa filter cartridge. It works by releasing small amounts of minerals in the water during circulation for 4 months.

The Nature2 System requires a Nature2 sanitizer, Dichlor for occasional and initial shocking and 3-way test strips. As usual, drain and prepare the spa and add a teaspoon of Dichlor Granular Chlorine to the water after refilling. Water balance has to be tested. Make it a point to run the spa 4 hours a day.

Then add a tablespoon of OxySpa before each spa use and thereafter, 3 tablespoons have to be added once a week or as per label instructions. When the water turns hazy, you will find occasional shocking with Dichlor granular chlorine to be rather effective. Replace the sanitizer once in 4 months.

David Williams, owner of Spadepot.com, has over 20 years experience in the hot tub and spa business. An expert in his field, David has been working with hot tubs since 1990 and started in the spa business in 1997