Your hot tub is one of the best ways to kick back and relax.What could be better than sinking into the clear, heated depths of your spa for a soothing jet massage?
All of that relaxation can’t be achieved, however, without a bit of work.Maintenance is key to keeping your spa working well for you, and that includes draining your hot tub on a set schedule.
Why Draining Your Tub is a Must
While performing weekly maintenance on your spa’s water keeps it in good shape, after a while, it will become difficult to balance. That’s a sign that it’s time to start fresh.
If you’re like most hot tub users, you will need to drain and clean your spa once every three to four months. If you use your spa several times a day or host a lot of friends, you may need to drain it more often.
Letting old water reside in your spa can eventually lead to odor, cloudiness, algae buildup, or hot tub foam.
Draining, cleaning, and refilling your hot tub on a regular basis not only ensures you’re soaking in clean water, but you’ll also be protecting your spa from damage. Left too long, dirty water can corrode your spa’s circulation system.
How To Drain Your Tub In 10 Easy Steps
From beginning to end, draining, cleaning, and refilling your tub is a relatively easy task, but it can be time-consuming.
Firstly, ensure your hot tub is properly prepared before addressing the water chemistry. Turn off the hot tub and drain the old water using the built-in spigot or a submersible pump, directing the discharged water to a sanitary sewer system. This method ensures the water is processed at a sewage treatment facility, unlike if you drain the water into storm drains, which will result in your spa water entering natural bodies of water like streams or rivers.
After draining the water, clean the interior surfaces with a non-abrasive cleaner to remove any residues, and rinse thoroughly to ensure no cleaning agent remains.
Inspect the hot tub cover and clean it as well. If the cover is damaged, consider replacing it to ensure optimal insulation and protection of your hot tub.
Proceed to refill the hot tub, making sure that all valves are securely closed before doing so. This step is crucial to prevent leaks and ensure that the refilling process goes smoothly.
Once your hot tub is refilled, it’s time to focus on the water chemistry. Test and balance your water. Adjust the pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer levels according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or your testing kit instructions. This will help maintain a safe and enjoyable hot tub environment, ensuring the water is comfortable and hygienic for users.
Here’s an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to make this process as simple as possible:
- Powering off your hot tub.
- Drain your hot tub using one of these three methods:
- Opening the valve on the bottom of your spa.
- Using a hose to drain the water (if your spa isn’t hooked up to a drainpipe).
- Using a submersible pump. This will speed up drain time.
- Next, wipe your spa down and gently rub a non-foaming cleaner over the entire hot tub. Make sure it’s a real spa cleaner and not a household product, which can damage the shell.
- Let the cleaner sit for the time specified by the product’s directions.
- Rinse the hot tub shell completely.
- Once your spa is rinsed free of cleaner, refill it with fresh water.
- Test and balance your water.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to complete quarterly spa water changes, give us a call at Paradise Valley Spas. Our spa technicians can handle all of your maintenance needs.
Do You Need to Clean Your Hot Tub Cover, Too?
Waiting for your spa to drain can be a slow process, but it provides the perfect opportunity to clean your cover. Your spa cover plays a crucial role in maintaining the temperature of your water, maximizing efficiency, and protecting your spa from the elements.
With such an important role, it’s vital to keep it in the best condition possible, avoiding the common pitfall of water damage!
Water damage in hot tub covers can occur through several mechanisms, primarily due to the degradation of the cover’s material over time. A key factor is the wear and tear on the vinyl exterior that encases the foam insulation.
This vinyl can crack or deteriorate, leading to the foam core absorbing water. When this happens, the cover loses its ability to effectively insulate the hot tub and can sag into the water, possibly introducing mold and other contaminants.
Luckily, keeping your cover clean can help prevent this and is a simple process; all you’ll need is a cover cleaner and a non-abrasive cloth!
Start by flipping your cover over so the underside is exposed and using the cloth and cleaner to wash it thoroughly. Be sure to get into the hard-to-reach corners and seams. This side of your cover is consistently exposed to moisture, which can lead to mildew or mold over time. Cleaning it ensures this doesn’t happen.
After the underside is cleaned, you can direct your attention to the top, cleaning away any dirt and debris with your cleaner and cloth, before applying a UV-protectant to minimize fading and cracking from the sun’s UV rays.
Beyond routine cleaning, here are some other key elements to help maintain the quality of your cover and maximize its longevity:
- Choose Quality Covers: Selecting a high-quality hot tub cover is the initial step towards longevity. Opt for one with a durable vinyl exterior that’s built to resist wear and tear, which can protect the underlying foam insulation from water damage.
- Use a Cover Lifter: Incorporating a cover lifter into your routine can significantly mitigate the risk of accidental damage while handling the heavy cover. This tool simplifies the process of removing and replacing the cover, thereby reducing strain on both the cover and the user.
- Dry Periodically: It’s important to air out the cover’s insulation, especially after draining the tub. This practice prevents moisture accumulation, which is a common precursor to mold and mildew growth within the foam insulation.
By adopting these practices, you can effectively extend the lifespan of your hot tub cover, ensuring continuous protection and energy efficiency for your spa.
Hot Tub Maintenance at Paradise Valley Spas in San Francisco Bay Area
If hot tub maintenance isn’t for you, we’ve got your back. Here at Paradise Valley Spas, our technicians are second-to-none, providing top-notch service whether you need routine maintenance or repair.
As your premier hot tub dealer in San Francisco Bay Area, we have a variety of high-quality hot tubs and swim spas to choose from.
So stop searching the Internet for ‘hot tubs for sale near me’ or ‘cost of a swim spa,’ and drop in at any of our eight showrooms to see what we have in stock. One of our experts would be happy to discuss hot tub or swim spa prices with you or help you find the perfect model for your home.
