For most, a hot tub is a major investment – not only financially, but they’re also an investment in how tubs can benefit our health as well! To get the most out of your hot tub (and extend its lifespan as long as you can) establishing a regular schedule of basic maintenance is key. Read along to see our recommended schedule of regular hot maintenance you can use as a guideline with your hot own tub!
Daily Maintenance
Your hot tub’s water is the focus of all daily maintenance activities. There are three primary actions that are essential for keeping your spa in tip-top shape. When done regularly (daily), you’ll be testing your water like the pros in no time – it only takes a few minutes, and has a huge impact on your enjoyment and lifespan of your hot tub.
Step one: Sanitizer Levels
You’ll want to check the sanitizer levels by using hot tub test strips, which are inexpensive and available at any pool or spa store. This will tell you if you need to add a dose of chlorine or bromine to the water.
Step two: pH Balance
Next, it’s important to know what the pH balance is in your tub’s water daily. Always have a stock hot tub chemicals to make the water more acidic or more alkaline as needed to maintain the optimal balance.
Step three: Cleaning the water line
All hot tubs that get frequent use accumulate body oils, perspiration, and other unpleasant materials that can stain the water line. Regular maintenance includes checking for and cleaning this recurring line, so it does not become a permanent stain. Pastes and sprays are made that will accomplish this task easily and inexpensively.
Weekly Maintenance
Once a week, follow these steps to keep your hot tub running perfectly. Similar to the daily maintenance, they don’t take long to do – and make a huge impact on ensuring your hot tub is there for your enjoyment for a long time to come.
Anti-foaming agent
On a weekly basis, you should add an anti-foaming agent to your hot tub’s water. Foamy bubbles in the water, though harmless, can take away from your hot tub experience.
Clean the filter
Removing and cleaning your hot tub’s filter thoroughly is very important for your tub’s long-term efficiency and the water’s cleanliness. This doesn’t mean you need to replace it every week – a quick removal and rinse is all you need. It just takes a couple minutes, and can not only add to the lifespan of your hot tub, but of your filter as well!
Anti-scaling
If you live where the water is hard, add an anti-scaling chemical to prevent the build-up of calcium deposits on the walls and floor of your hot tub.
Monthly Maintenance
Once a month, there are couple extra steps to add in – totaling a few extra minutes of time now, for a bunch of extra time with your hot tub later. The easiest way to get them done, is adding them on to your weekly maintenance items once a month.
Water sparkle agent
Every month or so, it’s a good idea to add a water sparkle agent to keep your hot tub looking bright and clear. While it’s not critical in your tub’s maintenance routine, but most owners find that a pleasing visual appeal adds to the experience – this will do just that!
Check exterior for damage
The other monthly maintenance regimen is to check the tub’s interior and exterior carefully for gouges, dings, and cracks. Spotting these problems and repairing them early will prevent a major and costly headache later.
Quarterly Maintenance
Full drain and inspection
Every 3-6 months (depending on frequency of use), you should fully drain and inspect your hot tub. Give it a good scouring while empty, and take apart and clean the entire filtration system as well.
Replace filter
Depending on how often you use your cedar hot tub, your best bet is to replace your filter once every 3-6 months as well.
Extra tips
Calendar reminders
Whether you’re going digital or old school printed, a convenient calendar is an easy way to keep track of your hot tub maintenance checklist.
Set reminders on your digital calendar, or have a printed calendar hung up somewhere to provide a visual reminder. This is a great (and quick) way to quickly add in when you last performed your maintenance task, and what was done. Should you eventually sell your home or cabin, having a printed calendar is a considerate offering for new home owners as well.
