Hot Tub Spa Maintenance

Keeping a hot tub spa clear and clean involves balancing 4 key elements:

• Sanitizer levels (kills bacteria and helps control algae growth).

• Water circulation and filtration (removes particulates and debris).

• pH and temperature.

• Regular brushing and vacuuming.

See also:  Swimming Pool and Decking.

Shown below are the four recommended routine maintenance tasks for your hot tub spa.  

Learn to enjoy managing your home with our free Newsletter or our free Automatic Maintenance Reminders.  We can also show you the Recommended Maintenance Schedules for your entire home.

 Maintenance Task #1:  Winterize the spa (cold climates)

It is recommended to use a pool or spa professional to close your spa.  If you choose to do-it-yourself, remember that each hot tub spa is different, so you should contact a local hot tub professional for the specific maintenance requirements for your particular spa.  But below are shown some generalized instructions for preparing your hot tub spa for the winter:

1. Drain the water out of the spa.

2. Turn off the spa heater.

3. Run the spa's air blower for 30 seconds to blow all of the water out of the air channels, if applicable.

4. Soak up all of the remaining water from inside the spa using towels or a shop vacuum.

5. Trip the ground fault interrupter, and either unplug the spa or turn off the circuit breaker.

6. Remove any drain plugs from the pump housing.

7. Loosen or unscrew fittings.

8. Blow out all water from the jet piping (or for some models, you must must use a canister-type wet vacuum to ensure that the lines are cleared of all remaining water).

9. Place hard spa cover on, and secure from being blown up from the wind.

10. Secure the equipment hatch on portable models.

11. Place tarp over winter cover over the hard spa cover.

Water expands when it freezes and will crack fittings, pipes, pumps, etc.  Proper maintenance will help avoid unnecessary problems and potentially costly repairs in the spring.

 Maintenance Task #2:  Open the spa for the season (cold climates).

Each hot tub spa is different, so you should contact a local pool or spa professional for the specific maintenance requirements for your particular spa.  But below are shown some generalized instructions for opening your spa for the season:

1. Remove the winter cover or tarp, and remove the hard spa cover.

2. Inspect inside the shell for cracks or splits.  Remove any water from inside the spa, and inspect the spa pump, filter container, valves, and pipes for any cracks or splits.

3. Remove any jet plugs etc.

4. Clean the spa shell and filter.

5. Wax the spa shell.

6. Fill the spa with water; watch carefully for any leaks.

7. Power up the spa and check the operations of the controls.

8. Adjust water chemicals.

9. Clean the hard spa cover.

See also:  Swimming Pool and Decking.

Prepares the spa for proper use during the summer.

 Maintenance Task #3:  Weekly seasonal spa maintenance

1. Adjust chemicals.
2. Clean filters.

Helps keep spa water clean and safe.

 Maintenance Task #4:  Drain, clean and re-fill spa

Completely drain water from spa.  Clean.  Refill with fresh water.

Periodically replacing with fresh water helps reduce the corrosion of the heater coil.  It also helps reduce "acrylic blisters" (bumps in the acrylic spa shell).

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