Hot Tub Hints & Tips
How Often Should I Drain My Hot Tub?
There a couple of ways to tell when you should drain your tub. The first method, recognized as the industry standard, uses a mathematical equation to figure the # of days between drain & refill times, it is as follows:
# of gallons of water in your tub ÷ 3 , then divide that # by the average # of daily bathers (users)
Example: 350 gallon tub ÷ 3 = 116.67 ÷ 2 (2 people using it on average) = 58 days
The other method is determined by the level of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in your tubs water. This is a measurement we provide for you each time we test your hot tub water. When the TDS reaches 1500 or greater it’s time to seriously consider draining & refilling your water.
One other factor you might want to consider, if your tub is outside, is the weather. It’s best, in our climate, to wait until it’s a day when the outside temper is above freezing. This will help keep any residual water left in the plumbing lines from freezing while you drain & refill.
How to do I Drain my Hot Tub?
Each manufacturer has slightly different instructions on how they recommend draining their hot tubs. Pool World recommends that you read your hot tub Owners Manual for instruction on how to properly drain & refill your tub. If you are missing your manual and are in need of another, we can help you with the models that we sell or most manufacturers owners manuals are now available on their websites.
How to Clean Your Tubs Surface
Now that you’ve got your tub drained, remember to clean the shell to get the most out of that drain & refill. Never use a household cleaning product to clean your hot tub surface. These products are not designed for the material your tubs surface is made out of nor are they compatible with many of the chemicals you use to sanitize and balance your tub water. To properly clean the tub surface use a hot tub surface cleaner like Brilliance for Spas Surface Cleaner or BaquaSpa Surface Cleaner. We can help you determine which cleaner would work best on your tub and with your sanitizing chemicals.
Cleaning Your Hot Tub Cover
Hot tub covers are often overlooked when it comes to maintaining your hot tub. If you think about it though, they are one of the most important factors in the energy efficiency of your tub and they are exposed to the most elements on an on-going basis. To keep your cover in tip-top condition and to make it last as long as possible, some basic care needs to be taken. Every time you drain & refill your tub you should make cleaning your cover part of the job. Never use household cleaners on your hot tub cover because they are often times too harsh and will dry out the vinyl the cover is made out of making it brittle and prone to cracking. Opt for a hot tub cover cleaner that is compatible with the chemical system that you are using to treat the water. These cleaners are easy to apply (wipe on, wipe off) and they protect as well as clean the cover.
Your Hot Tub Filter, Chemically Clean or Replace?
One of the most important factors in clear, clean hot tub water is your filter, the workhorse of your hot tub. Given the job that your filter does, it’s important that it be clean and well cared for. Drain & refill time is the perfect time to chemically clean or, if need be, replace that hot tub filter. Simply rinsing the filter isn’t enough, oils & other materials build up on the cartridge material that need to be cleaned off with a chemical solution. Soaking the filter(s) in this chemical then rinsing before returning to the tub is the best way to fully clean the filter and to help make the filter last as long as possible. Pool World can help you with instructions on how to properly clean your filter and what to use. Never use household cleaners, they degrade the filter material and are not compatible with your sanitizing and balancing chemicals.
How long will your filter last? The answer to that depends on how well the filter has been cared for and if it has been regularly chemically cleaned. Most filters, if properly cared for, should be replaced with a new filter about once every 2 years.