One of the questions we’re regularly asked by people considering their first hot tub is: “How much maintenance does a hot tub actually need?”

The good news is that looking after a hot tub isn’t particularly complicated. Once you understand the basics and get into a routine, most of the regular water care takes only a few minutes.

There are, however, a handful of important jobs that will keep your water clean, your hot tub running efficiently and its components in good condition. Here’s what you need to know.

Test and Balance Your Hot Tub Water

Good water care is probably the most important part of hot tub ownership.

You’ll need to test your water regularly to check that your sanitiser and pH levels are within the correct ranges. This can be done quickly at home using hot tub test strips or an appropriate testing kit.

How frequently you need to test will depend partly on how often the hot tub is being used. When you’re new to hot tub ownership, testing more frequently is particularly useful while you learn how your water responds to different levels of use.

Depending on your results, you may need to adjust your sanitiser, pH or other aspects of your water balance. It can sound complicated when you’ve never done it before, but it quickly becomes routine.

At Hot Tubs At Home, we provide water-care guidance when your new hot tub is installed, so you aren’t simply handed a box of chemicals and left to work it out for yourself.

Keep the Water at the Correct Level

Some water loss is completely normal.

People getting in and out of the spa, splashing and evaporation will gradually reduce the water level, so you’ll occasionally need to top it up using a garden hose.

Your hot tub should have enough water for the filtration and circulation systems to operate correctly, but avoid overfilling it too.

If you’re unsure, your spa’s recommended fill level will normally be indicated inside the hot tub or explained during your handover.

Clean Your Filters Regularly

Your filters work hard.

They continuously collect debris and contaminants from the water, helping your filtration system keep the spa clean. When filters become heavily clogged, water flow can be restricted and unnecessary strain can be placed on the hot tub’s equipment.

As a general routine, we recommend rinsing your filters thoroughly with clean water at least once a week. They should also receive a deeper clean using an appropriate hot tub filter cleaner approximately once a month.

Filters don’t last forever, either. Depending on the type of filter, usage and how well it has been maintained, it will eventually need replacing.

Having a spare set can be particularly useful. You can rotate the filters while one set is being properly cleaned and dried rather than rushing to put it straight back into the spa.

Drain, Clean and Refill Your Hot Tub

Even perfectly clear-looking hot tub water shouldn’t stay in the spa indefinitely.

Over time, dissolved substances accumulate in the water and eventually it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain good water quality simply by adding more chemicals.

As a general guide, we recommend draining, cleaning and refilling your hot tub approximately every three months.

How frequently your particular spa needs a water change can vary depending on the volume of water, number of users, frequency of use and how well the water has been maintained.

When changing the water, it’s a good opportunity to give the inside of the spa a thorough clean before refilling it with fresh water. Once refilled, the water can then be heated, tested and balanced ready for use again.

Look After Your Hot Tub Cover

Your hot tub cover has an important job.

As well as keeping leaves and debris out of the water, a good cover helps retain heat and reduce evaporation – so looking after it can help protect both your hot tub and your running costs.

Keep the cover clean using products and methods suitable for its material, and periodically check it for damage, particularly around the seams, handles and fastening points.

It’s also worth remembering that hot tub covers can become increasingly heavy if their internal foam becomes waterlogged. A noticeably heavier cover can be a sign that replacement may eventually be required.

Clean the Cabinet, Pillows and Fittings

The rest of your hot tub needs relatively little attention.

The exterior cabinet can usually be wiped clean as required, while pillows and other removable components should be cleaned gently using products suitable for the material.

Stainless-steel fittings should also be kept clean and wiped regularly, particularly in environments where deposits can build up.

Avoid reaching automatically for household cleaning products. Some cleaners aren’t suitable for hot tub surfaces and residues can end up affecting your spa water.

If you’re unsure, ask us what to use.

Keep an Eye on How Your Hot Tub Is Running

Maintenance isn’t only about cleaning.

You use your hot tub regularly, which means you’re often the first person who will notice if something changes.

Perhaps the water isn’t heating as quickly as usual. Maybe a pump sounds different, the water flow has reduced or an error message has appeared.

Don’t ignore changes and hope they’ll disappear.

Sometimes the solution is extremely simple – a dirty filter, for example, can cause flow problems. Catching something early can also prevent a minor issue developing into a more expensive repair.

How Much Time Does Hot Tub Maintenance Actually Take?

This is the bit prospective owners usually really want to know. Not very much.

Your regular routine consists mainly of checking the water, adjusting it when necessary, keeping the filters clean and occasionally topping up the water.

Then, approximately every three months, your spa needs a more thorough drain, clean and refill.

The important thing isn’t spending hours maintaining your hot tub. It’s doing the small jobs consistently.

Don’t Want to Do It Yourself?

You don’t have to.

Hot Tubs At Home offers servicing and maintenance plans for customers who would rather leave some – or all – of their hot tub care to us.

Our maintenance visits can include the jobs that are easily forgotten, from water changes and thorough cleaning to checking the condition and operation of your spa.

And whether you choose to maintain your hot tub yourself or have us help, we’ll make sure you understand how to look after it properly.

We’ve been looking after hot tubs for 20 years, across a huge range of makes and models, so if you’re unsure about something, just ask.

Hot Tubs At Home
01327 359191