Troubleshooting Your Hot Tub

Now that you know the importance of keeping your hot tub clean, what can you do if things go wrong, and your hot tub starts to look a little less than sparkling clean? We’ve looked around the web for some troubleshooting advice to help you deal with problems that may arise with your hot tub. Of course, if you have a problem with your hot tub you should consult your hot tub dealer, or chemical or filter company, for advice, but these tips can help you get started. Remember to always follow the directions included with chemical products to avoid nasty side effects of improper pH levels and chemical mixtures. And now for the main event, let’s learn how to fix some common hot tub problems so you can get back to relaxing! Algae floating in the water, or visible as a line of scum around the water level: You can purchase algaecides that will kill existing algae and prevent algae growth. Cloudy, murky water: Purchase a clarifying agent. Add it to the hot tub, and then shock the water to get rid of the particulate that is causing murky water. Staining on the hot tub body: The best way to deal with this is to prevent stains in the first place by keeping your water pH balanced. You may want to discuss this with your hot tub manufacturer to determine what types of chemical they recommend, as some chemicals may result in a build-up of hard metals which can cause staining. For existing stains, some internet sources say that using Polident to scrub off build-up is effective. We haven’t tried it ourselves, but it might be worth giving it a whirl! Scaling and crusty build-upon the waterline: Vinegar can be used to scrub the scaling off of the hot tub body. However, getting vinegar into the hot tub water can alter the pH, resulting in further problems. Many sites recommend that you partially drain the hot tub, and scrub the sides using a sponge to avoid vinegar running down into the water. To avoid further problems, it is also important to avoid debris such as leaves, dirt and sticks falling into the hot tub, where they can cause the filter to lose efficiency. A hot tub cover can be particularly helpful in this regard, as it ensures that nothing can fall or blow into the hot tub when you are not using it. If debris does enter the hot tub, you may want to take the filter out and hose it off. Consult your hot tub owner’s manual or your manufacturer for how to do this. A hot tub vacuum can also be handy for easily and quickly removing debris that has ended up in the hot tub. The quality of your hot tub filter is also crucial to ensuring your water stays nice and clean. We recommend Pleatco filter products, as they offer high quality and innovative products. Antimicrobial filters are available, giving you an extra advantage in staying one step ahead in the war against bacteria. Now that you know how to deal with some common problems that can occur with your hot tub, you can get back to the important things: relaxing in your sparkling clean hot tub! Enjoy!